Big Win for Rec Shrimpers!!

[Chase 1]

WDFW Commission Voted on new Puget Sound Shrimp Policy-win for recreational shrimpers!

The WDFW commission that voted unanimously for option 3 of the new Puget Sound Shrimp Policy policy. This vote was for the 70/30 option. This is a huge victory for the recreational shrimp fishers of Washington State. 70% of the states Spot shrimp will be allocated to the recreational fishers, 30% to the commercials. This is where we were in 1995.

A very special thanks to the Commission for hearing us loud and clear and making the right decision to provide a quality shrimp fishery in the Puget Sound for the recreational community. Thank you to everyone for your help and support and also to the WDFW Shellfish leads Mark O’Toole and Rich Childers for the information provided for us to pull off this victory.

Also another special thanks to the recreational advisors for all of their hard work and dedication to make sure that all information was brought out for a fair decision on this New Policy.

Most of our Puget Sound Shrimp fishery was down to 2 days and shrinking. So the policy had to be redone for us to stay on the water. It happened and now we have more shrimping opportunity.

What this 70/30 option means for us

San Juan Islands-open 32 days-80% spot shrimp resource allocated to the recreational sector
Strait of Juan de Fuca- open 99 days-22% spot shrimp resource allocated to the recreational sector
MA 8-1, 8-2, 9- open 3 days-100% spot shrimp resource allocated to the recreational sector
MA10-open 4 days-100% spot shrimp resource allocated to the recreational sector
MA 12-Same-already 100% recreational
MA11/13-open 5 days-100% spot shrimp resource allocated to the recreational sector

If you would like to send a thank you to the commission please send them a thank you email to
commission@dfw.wa.gov

[Ripper]

It's nice to have something go our way.

[NRA4LIFE]

Hmmm, might have to take up shrimping.

[Capt Morgan]

Thats good to hear. Maybe south Lopez Is wont be such a Zoo anymore.

[singleshot12]

it will be good for a short time until shrimp numbers go way down like the crab are doing now

[huntnphool]

Does this include Hood Canal?

[Chase 1]

Thanks to all for the effort, but 3 days in area 8-1, 8-2, and 9! I would hardly call it a big win. We keep getting screwed!

I guess that means we won't expect to see you out taking advantage of the extra time on the shrimp grounds scooping up on the additional shrimp? The 3 days represents an estimate of the time it will take to catch 100% of the quota, it may take 4 or 5. It is not a firm number but the DFW managers will keep these areas conservative in projected days to help measure the impact of expanded opportunity.

Before this change the share was 50/50 with half the shrimp quota going to 16 commercial licence holders. If the work the rec. advisory group did doubles our shrimp season...hard not to see it as a big win.

[Chase 1]

Does this include Hood Canal?

Yes, but Hood Canal was already 100% rec.

[sirmissalot]

Does this include Hood Canal?

Yes, but Hood Canal was already 100% rec.

Other than about a bajillion pounds taken by the Indians

[lokidog]

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      I won't have to hoard my shrimp/prawns now.  Lots of happy friends next year.   

[NWBREW]

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      I won't have to hoard my shrimp/prawns now.  Lots of happy friends next year.   

Can I be your friend?   

[Kc_Kracker]

thanks for posting this is great news!!

[Ripper]

I just might have to go get me a shrimp pot!

[lokidog]

Here's a tip/warning for those of you that might go shrimping off the south end of Lopez Island... drop your pots on an incoming tide at your own RISK.  The current tables and electronic charts on gps units lie.  We had two pots (with 10-15 pound weights) go 1 1/2 miles on a 0.6 knot max current two years ago.  The same year, I salvaged 16 or more pots that people had lost, in ONE day.  I was the last boat out and pulled until dark -- all pots were returned to their owners.     I asked the owners for nothing in return but I paid for a lot of gas that day.   

One day a neighbor asked if I was going shrimping.  I told him not until the tide changed in the afternoon.  He went in the morning.     As we crossed paths on my way out, he asked if I would keep an eye out for his two lost pots.  I did end up finding both as well as a few others that day. And, yes, I called each person before pulling their pot.  Drop your pots a maximum of 45 minutes before the slack before ebb tide.