August 5, 2022
Additional opportunities announced for recreational spot shrimp fishing in Marine Areas 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), 7 West, and 7 South.
Actions:
- Opens Marine Area 7 West for three additional days of recreational spot shrimp harvest on August 18 through August 20.
- Opens Marine Areas 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 7 South for five additional days of recreational spot shrimp harvest from August 17 through August 21.
Effective dates: August 18 through 20, 2022 and August 17 through August 21, 2022.
Open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset each day.
Species affected: All shrimp species including spot shrimp.
Location: Marine Areas 7 West, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), and 7 South.
Rules: Daily limit is 80 spot shrimp; with a total daily weight limit of 10 lbs, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined. If retaining any non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads (spot and non-spot) must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day. Minimum mesh size is 1 inch for pots. Maximum of 2 pots per person and 4 pots per vessel. Each harvester must have a separate container for their catch, either in their possession or labeled with their name.
Reason for action: The available shares for recreational spot shrimp are not projected to have been taken in Marine Areas 7 West, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), and 7 South with the dates previously announced. Three days are being added to take the remaining share of spot shrimp in 7 West and five days are being added to take the remaining share of spot shrimp in 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 7 South.
Additional information: Some marine areas including 4 and 5 have remaining dates in their spot shrimp seasons. Recreational spot shrimp fishing requires pots with a minimum mesh size of 1 inch. Marine Areas 7 East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11, and 13 are currently open for recreational non-spot (coonstripe, dock, and pink) shrimp fishing. Shrimp pots with a minimum mesh size of ½ inch are allowed in those areas which are open for non-spot shrimp only fishing. In the areas open for non-spot shrimp only, maximum depth restrictions specific to each area are enforced to avoid handling of spot shrimp, and all spot shrimp must be released immediately. Check WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/shrimp/ for more information.