Shrimp lovers, gear up your boats! Two extra days have been tossed into the Puget Sound shrimp pot, according to an announcement by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Due to what some might say is a stroke of misfortune with the weather, recreational shrimpers have another shot at hauling in spot shrimp on May 30 and June 13.
Amid whispers of old Neptune stirring up less-than-ideal conditions during the May 16 opener, Aaron Dufault, WDFW Puget Sound shellfish manager, dished out the happy news. "We are excited to announce some additional spot shrimp fishing opportunities in several marine areas," he was quoted in a statement. It seems that the unexpected weather played spoiler on the expected bounty, leaving enough quota for these bonus shrimping days.
The reopened shrimp fishing includes a variety of marine areas on specific dates and times. Here's the lowdown for eager anglers: Marine Area 7 East will open up its watery treasure chest for all shrimp species from May 30 through June 1. Discovery Bay Shrimp District is setting its four-hour window on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come June 13, Marine Area 9 and Marine Area 10, covering Elliott Bay and outside, are all aboard for a limited-time shrimp catch fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. So set your alarms, shrimp fans.
It's not all sunshine and shrimping, though. Marine Area 11, covering Tacoma-Vashon Island, had a particularly rough go of it during the initial opener, resulting in a closed season for the remainder of the year. As the folks at WDFW continue to monitor the shrimp situation, fishers are reminded to check the regulations closely from May 30 through June 1, particularly in Marine Area 7 South, where sections have specific boundary restrictions.
For those looking to cash in on these added shrimping opportunities, make sure your licenses are up to date and your pots are ready to be dropped. These dates are locked in and represent a second chance at what Mother Nature tried to wash away earlier this month. Happy shrimping!
