Friday is the meeting that is the last time you can meet with the commission and /or support our recreational advisors position in person.
We have not sent that many Voter Voices out, which shows a clear message that we do not care to change our shrimp seasons in our favor. We have gone from 75% of the resource down to 50% and it will continue to shrink with out a new policy. Shrimping is a family event and therefore should be signed on by all family members. Feedback shows that a very low percentage of particiapnts in this votervoice signed on family members.
Please sign this now.
https://www.votervoice.net/Groups/PSA/Advocacy/?IssueID=29827&SiteID=-1If you enjoy shrimping, Nov. 9th is your last chance to support the recreational advisor’s proposal that will provide expanded opportunity for the recreational shrimping community.
There is going to be public testimony on a new Puget Sound Shrimp policy. The WDFW Commission meeting will hear this matter on November 9th at 9:00 am. We need a massive showing of support to pass this proposal. Please meet at:
Natural Resources Building
1111Washington Ave SE St.
Room 172
Olympia, WA 98501
This meeting is the last opportunity for public input prior to the Commission’s final decision in December. The state’s share of Spot Shrimp is to be reallocated between the commercial and recreational sectors. It is important to know that the recreational sector was 75% of the state's share in 1995. Under the last policy that started in 2003, the recreational share dropped to 60%, and since that time has decreased further to a 50% share in 2012. It will continue to further erode without your support for change. It is time for a readjustment.
If you plan to shrimp now or in the future, you need to be at this meeting to show your support. Last year we were down to 6 days in the San Juans, and Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 13 were down to 2 days. If we do not fix this policy, it’s going to get worse. Do you want to see 1 day shrimp season in your area and the San Juans drop to 3 days and continue to go down? With continued increase in recreational participation, we simply need more opportunity.
WDFW selected two sets of advisors, commercial and recreational, to work on a new policy that would be fair for all. Our recreational advisors have a proposal to reset the quotas back to the 1995 shrimp allocation of 75% recreational / 25% Commercial. There are only 18 commercial license holders. Only two of the commercial fishermen shrimp in MA 8-13. It makes sense to move them into the Straits and San Juans with the other commercials.
If the recreational advisors proposal is adopted, we should double our days on the water in MA8-11, and MA13, grow the San Juans to 36 days, and the Straits-136 days. There is not room left for losses in our fisheries. We have proposed that the new policy contain language to ensure we get an equitable share of future quota increases.
The amount of income generated by our shrimp fishery for our local business and economy is huge. This is a point that needs to be made as the recreational shrimp advisors proposal would generate a minimum of $2.3 Million back into the local economy.
It will be many years before this will come up again. Now is your chance to be heard.
PLEASE get involved and send this off immediately. It will go to our WDFW Commission.
If you would like to write your own letter, please email it to: commission@dfw.wa.gov
