Griffin Bay opens early for shrimp

OLYMPIA -- Shrimp season will open April 12 -- earlier than usual -- in Griffin Bay (Shrimp District 2) in San Juan Channel between San Juan and Lopez islands Griffin Bay was added to the list of early-opening shrimp fishing areas in order to offer recreational shrimpers a window of opportunity for fishing before the commercial season begins.

Other shrimp fishing areas will operate on regular season schedules as published in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fishing rules pamphlet.

Size limits require fishers in all areas except Hood Canal to immediately release all spot shrimp less than six inches long, measured from the tip of the tail to the tip of the rostrum.

In other shrimp fishing developments, WDFW Director Bern Shanks has reversed a proposed requirement for large mesh shrimp pots in areas outside Hood Canal. Shanks plans to lift the requirement, slated to take effect next January, after hearing additional public feedback. The requirement for a 6-inch minimum size for spot prawns makes it unnecessary for fishers to buy new pots, and will allow them more opportunity to gather smaller size co-occurring shrimp species.