CALLING ALL SHRIMPERS!! **UPDATE**

[Chase 1]

Next week your Recreational Shrimp Advisory Committee will be meeting with DFW staff to discuss implementation of the newly adopted Shrimp Management Policy. The new policy increased the recreational quota from 50 to 70 percent and designated most areas 100% recreational (details can be found in the post titled Big Win for Rec. Shrimpers). This is an opportunity for us to convey to staff the priorities that we would like considered during the season making process. As one of members of the committee I am asking you to share with me your ideas and priorities of how the seasons should be constructed.

The discussion will include...

* Floating start dates from year to year to avoid low tides. (Current season start dates have been fixed on the 1st Sat. in May, often placing the season during extreme swing and negative tides. Staff thinking is that we would rather know a fixed date for the opener rather than changing year to year based on the tides.)

* Reserving a portion of the poundage in the San Juan's North to allow for a Summer fishery in July or Aug.

* Days of the week.

*Maximizing opportunity within the quota management guidelines.

Things that won't be part of the discussion (so save your breath)...

*Number of shrimp per day.
*Gear guidelines.
*Anything to do with the Native fishery.

If you would like your opinions to be heard at the meeting, please reply by telling me the area you are referring to and the change you would like to see implemented. Also add your opinion on the issues listed above that will be part of the discussion. After the meeting I will update the thread to let you know the outcome. Thanks for your input!

[RB]

 

Keeping an eye on this I like the fixed start date simply for scheduling. We pick our time off up to a year in advance (Oct Nov of previous year), so knowing the date helps. It would be nice to be able to shrimp a day or two in the summer as well so reserving a portion of a quota would be handy. Days of the week don't matter that much because I will schedule time off around the days as do most. I went out on the Wednesday opener last year and saw more boats than Humpy fishing.

[huntnphool]

I like the changing dates, it sucks having to deal with the extreme low tides.

[lokidog]

I'd like to see shrimping on only one weekend day plus some weekdays to extend the season for a longer time (although I don't have to drive to go so I am a bit biased), the shrimping two years ago in July was awesome as it was nice to be out there in warm weather.

From my experiences two years ago, I prefer to see the floating dates as many people do not pay as much attention to the tides as they should and lose a lot of gear which wastes a lot of shrimp.  On a not too bad day, I rescued, and returned, 18 pots that people had lost through the day and pulled pots until it was dark.  I probably could have found more if I had had the time.

BTW internet cops out there, I talked with a couple of fish cops and said they had no problem with me doing that as long as I had contacted the people before pulling their pots.   

[Chase 1]

I'm with you about the season that fits the tides. Those tide swings can get nasty when mixed with weather and wind. Also I have seen too many guys pots slide right off the edge because they don't understand that setting pots in the currents on those tides is like throwing your pot in a raging river current.

[Kc_Kracker]

I'd like to see shrimping on only one weekend day plus some weekdays

i agree loki during the week, so we dont have to deal with all the loser ignorant yahoos that have no idea what they are doing  a working ramp is a happy fisherman 

[Chase 1]

This meeting is this Wed. so this is your last chance to add your  ! Let me know your thoughts and I will share them at the meeting.

[Chase 1]

The meeting with dfw staff produced the following projected seasons. The biggest change to the season comes in Area 7 west. Shrimp all summer!!  Open Wed. thru Sat. all of June and then stays open Thur thru Sat. until Sept 15th or until the quota is reached!! There will be a new area map of the San Juan's in this years regs.

It was also decided that the opening date will stay the first Sat. in May but that the remaining days available will be moved away from the extreme low tides as much as possible.

Also a Pacific Ocean daily limit increase is on the table and is currently under Commission review. If it passes it would increase the daily limit to 200. 

This is still a draft and is subject to final review.

MARINE AREAS 4 (east of Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6 and 13 (excluding Shrimp Districts). Opens May 4 at 7:00 a.m., SPOT SHRIMP season closes when quota is attained or September 15, whichever comes first, except for Marine Area 13 which closes for SPOT SHRIMP on May 31. COONSTRIPE and PINK season closes October 15. Open daily.

MARINE AREAS 7 EAST and 7 SOUTH (see map on page 133)   
Opens May 4 at 7:00 a.m., also open May 8-11, May 15-18, and May 29-June 1. 
Additional dates and times will be announced if sufficient quota remains.

June 2 - October 15, Marine Area 7 East is open daily for  COONSTRIPE and PINK SHRIMP until October 15 with a 200’ maximum fishing depth restriction.  All SPOT SHRIMP caught must be returned to the water immediately. Marine Area 7 South will remain closed after SPOT SHRIMP quota is taken.                       

MARINE AREA 7 WEST  Opens May 4 at 7:00 a.m., open Wednesday through Saturday each week until June 1, after June 1 open Thursday through Saturday each week until quota is attained or September 15, whichever comes first.

MARINE AREAS 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10 and 11.    Open May 4, 8 and 18, from 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

In Marine Area 8-2 only, it is lawful for divers to take shrimp by hand or hand held device from 7:00 pm until midnight on any open day in May.

June 1 - October 15,  Marine Areas 8, 9 and 11 are open daily for COONSTRIPE and PINK shrimp with a 150’ maximum fishing depth restriction.  All SPOT SHRIMP caught must be returned to the water immediately.  Marine Area 10 will remain closed after SPOT SHRIMP quota is taken.

HOOD CANAL SHRIMP DISTRICT (Marine Area 12)  Open May 4, 8, 15 and 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Additional dates and times will be announced if sufficient quota remains.                           

DISCOVERY BAY
SHRIMP DISTRICT (see Marine Area 6 map) Open May 4, 8, 15 and 18, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional dates and times will be announced if sufficient quota remains.

PACIFIC OCEAN
Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 (west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line) Year-round. Open daily.

Note – Preliminary projection, Marine Areas 9 & 10 may only be open two of these days, pending potential quota adjustments, etc.
 
Now go get'em!! Good luck

[huntnphool]

Looks like the first and last days are going to be decent tides in Hood Canal, the 8th is another low tide with a lot of movement.

[Smokepole]

I'd like to see shrimping on only one weekend day plus some weekdays to extend the season for a longer time (although I don't have to drive to go so I am a bit biased), the shrimping two years ago in July was awesome as it was nice to be out there in warm weather

My feelings exactly.  Having the recreational season so early can be dangerous.  Lots of weather related boating issues.  It just aint worth a few shrimp sometimes.  If they want escapement, they should shorten the season, or limit days.  But give us some descent weather & tides!

[lokidog]

I was excited about the extended season, until I saw this west/east south crap.  Everyone'll have to go 20-30 miles one way I'm guessing, by the time the lines are drawn, unless you live obn San Juan Is.     Guess we can't all be happy.   

[Chase 1]

Here is what the map will look like.

[Chase 1]

Looks like the first and last days are going to be decent tides in Hood Canal, the 8th is another low tide with a lot of movement.

It came down to best available tides within the season structure provided. It won't be great tides on all open days, just the best trying to stay away from the lowest. 

[lokidog]

That's too bad about their boundary lines, seems like the Roche Harbor folks had their say.      Nothing changed for most of area 7.