OLYMPIA — Marine Area 6 (Strait of Juan de Fuca from Low Point east to Point Wilson, Port Townsend) opened Tuesday for the recreational harvest of non-spot shrimp only.
The decision by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife excludes the Discovery Bay Shrimp District. Marine Area 6 will remain open to non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15 with a 175-foot maximum fishing depth restriction.
Non-spot shrimp includes coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp and sidestripe shrimp.
Regulations for other Olympic Peninsula marine areas include:
• Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line): Open for all shrimp species daily, from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset, until further notice.
• Marine Area 5 (Mouth of Sekiu River east to Low Point, Lyre River): Open for all shrimp species daily, from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset, until further notice.
•Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet): Open for non-spot shrimp through Oct. 15, with a maximum depth of 150 feet.
In the areas of Puget Sound open for all shrimp species, the daily limit per angler is 80 spot shrimp; with a total daily weight limit of 10 pounds (whole shrimp) of all species of shrimp combined.
In areas open only for non-spot shrimp, the daily limit is 10 pounds (whole shrimp) of all species combined. Maximum depth limits mean that it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters deeper than the maximum limit.
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. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.
