OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife updated its shrimp seasons this weekend, canceling the scheduled July 18-19 opening for all shrimp species in Marine Area 6 (Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca).
The WDFW also added a day for all shrimp species July 16 in Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal).
The scheduled opening for all shrimp species in Marine Area 6 (Low Point/Lyre River east to Point Wilson/Port Townsend), excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, on July 18-19 was canceled.
However, Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) was opened Monday for non-spot shrimp with depth restrictions.
Rules for all shrimp, which includes spot shrimp, include:
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line open daily until further notice.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) open daily until further notice.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) – Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 2 and July 16.
Non-spot shrimp rules include:
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District open daily from June 30‑Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep.
Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) open daily until Oct. 15. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep.
Species affected: All classified shrimp species including spot shrimp. This includes spot shrimp, coonstripe shrimp, dock shrimp, pink shrimp, and sidestripe shrimp.
Gear may not be set or pulled from a vessel from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. The daily limit is 80 spot shrimp and a total weight limit of 10 pounds of all shrimp species combined (whole shrimp).
If retaining only spot shrimp, shrimp heads may be discarded in the field. If retaining any non-spot shrimp, all shrimp heads must be retained in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day.
One-inch minimum mesh size required for pots fished during “all shrimp” fisheries. One-half-inch minimum mesh size is allowed for pots fished during non-spot shrimp fisheries.
During non-spot shrimp fisheries all spot shrimp must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.
