WDFW updates Puget Sound shrimping opportunities in July

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced several changes to summer shrimping seasons in portions of Puget Sound, including the cancellation of two planned spot shrimp openers and the immediate opening of some marine areas for non-spot shrimp.

Shellfish managers announced the changes to align with agreements between WDFW and tribal co-managers. 

The updated seasons cancel previously planned openings for spot shrimp from July 12-14 in Marine Area 6 outside Discovery Bay and in Marine Area 7 West. 

“Effort and participation during the June 28-June 30 opening was very high for this point in the season,” said Katelyn Bosley, Puget Sound crab and shrimp lead with WDFW. “As a result, the recreational harvest targets have been reached in these marine areas.” 

Effective immediately, Marine Area 6 outside Discovery Bay and Marine Area 9 are open for non-spot shrimp species only through Oct. 15. Marine areas 8-1 and 8-2 will also open July 11 for non-spot shrimp only through Oct. 15. 

In marine areas 6, 8-1, and 8-2, the maximum fishing depth is 175 feet during non-spot shrimp only fisheries. In Marine Area 9, the maximum fishing depth is 150 feet.

Current regulations for each Puget Sound marine area include: 

• Marine Area 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) is open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.
• Marine Area 5 (western Strait of Juan de Fuca) is open for all shrimp species daily, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.
• Marine Area 8-1 (Saratoga Passage, Deception Pass) is open for all shrimp species including spot shrimp on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. Open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) July 11 through Oct. 15, with a maximum depth restriction of 175 feet. 
• Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan, Port Gardner, Everett) is open for all shrimp species including spot shrimp on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device on July 10 from 7 p.m. until midnight only. Open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) July 11 through Oct. 15, with a maximum depth restriction of 175 feet. 
• Marine Area 9 (Edmonds, Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet) is open for non-spot shrimp immediately, through Oct. 15, with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet.
• Marine Area 10 (Waters west of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point only)is closed for all shrimp species.
• Marine Area 6 (Port Angeles Harbor, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca outside of the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct.15, with a maximum depth restriction of 175 feet.
•  Marine Area 7 East (northern Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay, Sucia and Matia Islands, and Strait of Georgia) is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct.15, with a maximum depth restriction of 200 feet. 
• Marine Area 7 West (San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, and Stuart and Waldron Islands) is closed for all shrimp species.
• Marine Area 7 South (Iceberg Point, Point Colville, Biz Point, Salmon Bank) is closed for all shrimp species.
• Marine Area 10 (waters of Elliott Bay east of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point only) is open for all shrimp species including spot shrimp on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.
• Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct. 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet. 
• Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)  is closed for all shrimp species.
• Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound, Carr Inlet) is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct. 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 200 feet.

For all non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) seasons, 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately.

In areas open for spot shrimp, the daily limit is 80 spot shrimp with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp) for all species combined. If retaining non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads (spot and non-spot) must be retained in the field until anglers are ashore and finished fishing for the day. Daylight hours only indicates that pots can be set and retrieved from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.

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). For details, visit BeWhaleWise.org.

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.