Spot shrimping to reopen June 22 for additional opportunity in some Puget Sound marine areas

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Photo by Eric Winther

OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp will reopen in some Puget Sound marine areas on June 22, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

“We are excited to announce some additional spot shrimp opportunity in several marine areas,” said Aaron Dufault, WDFW Puget Sound shellfish manager. “Anglers should take note of the reduced pot limit required in Elliott Bay, to make sure they’re compliant with the regulations.”

Following review of recreational shrimping catch and effort data in Puget Sound to date, WDFW shellfish managers determined that enough of the quota remains in multiple marine areas to offer additional harvest opportunity on June 22.

Marine Area 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District will be open on June 22 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. only.

Elliott Bay (Marine Area 10), which typically experiences a high level of shrimping effort, will also be open on June 22 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with an additional restriction - shrimpers may only have two pots aboard their vessel if deploying or retrieving spot shrimp gear.

The recreational catch in Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) has exceeded preseason expectations, and to stay within quota, the final announced opening on June 28 is canceled. The next planned opening on June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the final opening for spot shrimp in Hood Canal this year. 

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Additional spot shrimp opportunity will be offered in only a portion of Marine Area 7 South - from west of Point Colville on Lopez Island and east of Cattle Point on San Juans Island from June 22 to 24 only. Please see the included map for boundary details.

Other changes include:

• Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island): Open the non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) fishing with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.
• Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia islands, Strait of Georgia): Open the non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) fishing with a max depth restriction of 200 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.

Those looking to spend more days shrimping can take advantage of other marine areas open for spot shrimp. 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. 

Shrimp fishers are reminded to follow Be Whale Wise regulations and guidelines to help protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW). Avoid approaching SRKW, and at minimum stay the required distance away (reference the Be Whale Wise website for more information). Anglers are also encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee that lets others know that there might be whales nearby. If you see the flag, slow down and follow guidelines. For more details about steps anglers can take to keep the whales – and themselves – safe, visit BeWhaleWise.org.

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