Marine areas 7 West, 7 South, and 12 to get additional opportunities for recreational spot shrimp fishing

July 15, 2022

Marine areas 7 West, 7 South, and 12 to get additional opportunities for recreational spot shrimp fishing 

Actions:  

  • Opens Marine areas 7 West and 7 South for three additional days of recreational spot shrimp harvest from July 21 through July 23.
  • Opens Marine Area 12 for one additional day of recreational spot shrimp harvest on July 20 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.

Effective dates:  Marine areas 7 West and 7 South: July 21 through July 23, 2022. Marine Area 12: July 20, 2022.

Species affected:  All shrimp species including spot shrimp.

Location:  Marine areas 7 West, 7 South, and 12.

Rules:  Daily limit 10 pounds, heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined, including no more than 80 spot shrimp. 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, 7 South, and 12 with the dates previously announced. Three days are being added to take the remaining share of spot shrimp in areas 7 West and 7 South and one day is being added in 12.

Additional information: Some marine areas including 4, 5, and 6 (outside the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) 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 1/2 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.

Information contact: Don Velasquez, Fish and Wildlife biologist, 425-775-1311, ext. 112. 

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.