Spot shrimping to reopen for late-season opportunity in some Puget Sound marine areas

OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp will reopen in a handful of Puget Sound marine areas beginning on July 14, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Following review of recreational shrimping catch and effort data in Puget Sound to date, WDFW shellfish managers determined that enough of the quota remains to offer additional harvest opportunity in Marine Areas 6, 7 West, 7 East, 7 South, 8-1 and 8-2.

Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2, which typically experience high levels of shrimping effort, will be open only on July 14 with an additional harvest restriction: shrimpers harvesting in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 on July 14 may only have two pots aboard their vessel if deploying or retrieving spot shrimp gear.

“With a small remaining quota and high expected fishery participation, these pot restrictions offered the best way to conserve the resource while still offering some additional opportunity this year and providing sustainable shrimping opportunities in the future,” said Katelyn Bosley, WDFW Puget Sound crustacean biologist.

Those looking to spend more days shrimping can take advantage of longer openings and fish the standard four pots per boat in Marine Areas 6, 7 East, 7 West and 7 South.

Areas opening for recreational spot shrimp harvest include:

• Marine Area 6 (Port Angeles Harbor, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): July 14 through 17 and July 28 through 31. Daylight hours. Only 1-inch mesh pots may be used on days when spot shrimp is open.
• Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia islands, Strait of Georgia): July 14 through 17. Daylight hours. Only 1-inch mesh pots may be used on days when spot shrimp is open.
• Marine Area 7 West (San Juan Channel, Speiden Channel, Stuart and Waldron islands): July 14 through 17 and July 28 through 31. Daylight hours. Only 1-inch mesh pots may be used on days when spot shrimp is open.
• Marine Area 7 South (Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank): July 14 through 17. Daylight hours. Only 1-inch mesh pots may be used on days when spot shrimp is open.
• Marine Areas 8-1 (Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass) and 8-2 (Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett): Open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 14.  Pot limit of 2 pots per boat. Only 1-inch mesh pots may be used on days when spot shrimp is open.

The daily limit is 10 pounds of all species of shrimp with a maximum of 80 spot shrimp in areas open to spot shrimp harvest. Only pots with a minimum 1-inch mesh are allowed when retaining spot shrimp. Using pots with a minimum ½-inch mesh size to target non-spot shrimp will be suspended temporarily on July 14 in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 and from July 14 through July 17 in Marine Area 7 East.

A valid 2021-22 combination license, shellfish license, or Fish Washington license is required to participate in the fishery.

WDFW managers remind shrimpers that traps can be set one hour before official sunrise during any open period in the marine areas without specified harvest hours. The pots must be removed from the water in these same areas by one hour after sunset at the end of an open period.

More information on recreational shrimp seasons, and a description of the marine areas, is available on WDFW's recreational shrimp fishing section of the website. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.