Get ready to cast your nets and dive for the abundant sea crustaceans, because the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has just announced the opening of recreational shrimp fisheries in multiple marine areas. Starting May 16, shrimping enthusiasts can start reeling in all sorts of shrimp including the coveted spot shrimp, according to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
For those with a penchant for early-rising, Marine Areas 4 and 5 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, are open daily for all shrimp species beginning May 16, with fishing permitted during daylight hours only, when pots can be set and retrieved, so be prepared for those sunrise jaunts to ensure a fresh catch. Various other areas such as Marine Area 6, excluding Discovery Bay, and Area 10 will also welcome shrimp fishers on select dates, inviting shrimpers to indulge in the seasonal harvest. The complete schedule is provided by WDFW, also noting that traps must be removed when the fishing time ends.
Divers have also been granted a special nocturnal window to grab shrimp by hand or with hand-held devices, thanks to the authorities specifying that in Marine Area 8-2, underwater shrimp enthusiasts can get their hands, or traps, on shrimp from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on May 16 and May 30. Meanwhile, in the aptly named Discovery Bay Shrimp District, an exclusive four-hour slot on May 17, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., has been opened up for all shrimp species.
WDFW has capped the daily limit to 80 spot shrimp per person and a total combined weight of 10 pounds for all shrimp species. They also remind people to retain all shrimp heads in the field until ashore and finished fishing for the day, this regulation encompasses both spot and non-spot shrimp to ensure proper accountability and preservation of the aquatic environment, each measure reflecting the balance between recreational opportunity and species conservation that the agency endeavors to maintain.
The state's decision to open up the shrimp season was made to comply with State/Tribal management agreements, aiming to prevent overharvesting and keep the ecosystem balanced.
