Get ready for some shrimp on the barbie.
Recreational shrimp fishers will have the chance to take home more spot shrimp from Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has announced.
Starting Thursday, June 18, the daily limit for Marine Area 6, East Juan de Fuca Strait (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District), will be increased from the current 80 spot shrimp per person to 120 per person until further notice.
Marine Area 6 has been open for 14 days of recreational harvest, and Fish & Wildlife officials are looking to enhance harvest opportunities as the fishery shifts to a weekly Thursday-through-Sunday season later this week.
“With the late start to the season due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re pleased to have other tools at our disposal to support quality harvest opportunities,” said Larry Phillips, the agency’s coastal region director. “An increased daily limit makes those wonderful days on the water even more worthwhile.”
Marine Area 6 – again excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District – is the only region with an increased daily limit. The daily spot shrimp limit remains 80 shrimp per person per day in all other marine areas open for spot shrimp fishing.
Fish & Wildlife reminds harvesters that some access sites might remain closed, and that it is important to check access site status and plan ahead.
The agency is also asking for cooperation from shrimp fishers.
“Patience and courtesy will be needed at boat ramps and launches,” said Don Velasquez, a shellfish biologist with Fish & Wildlife. “Shrimp fishers should allow extra time for launching their boats to adhere to health authorities’ advice for physical distancing.”
Parking and staffing at some access sites might be more limited than usual, officials said.
“We have found that most everyone is considerate of others when parking, launching and trailering their boats,” Velasquez said. “We look forward to more of the same as people head out to fish for shrimp in the coming weeks.”
The agency will continue to monitor catch in all marine areas opened to spot shrimp fishing throughout the season. Additional dates and times may be announced if enough quota remains after the initial fishing days already announced.
Harvest of non-spot shrimp species (dock, coonstripe, and pink shrimp only) is open in some marine areas, while additional seasons for non-spot shrimp species in other areas will begin later this year and be announced separately.
More information on the seasons and rules for spot and other shrimp are available online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/shrimp/ and on the WDFW shellfish hotline at 1-866-880-5431.
Anglers parking at WDFW water-access sites are required to display a Discover Pass or the WDFW Vehicle Access Pass on their vehicle.
