The state Fish and Wildlife Commission is studying four options for managing the spot shrimp fishery in Puget Sound. The commission selected the options for further review after receiving input from commercial and recreational shrimp advisory groups at its Sept. 5-6 meeting.

The options offer varied allocations of the state’s annual quota, splitting the catch between recreational and commercial fishermen. The commission has currently set the allocation at 50 percent for sportsmen and 50 percent for commercial fishermen.

Under each option, the recreational sport shrimp fishery would be open an estimated five days in management Region 5 (Hood Canal) and Region 6 (the Sound south of the northern tip of Vashon Island).

For people shrimping in Region 6, three options call for the recreational quota to be 100 percent, an estimated 4,000 pounds of shrimp. The current cap is 40 percent for the recreational fishery.

The Region 5 fishery would remain at 100 percent of the state’s quota, about 85,000 pounds of shrimp.

Option 1

This is basically the current policy management strategy with an overall general allocation objective included. The general allocation objective in this option calls for the Puget Sound recreational spot shrimp fishery to be managed for an annual harvest allocation of 50 percent of the combined state spot shrimp quota for all management regions. The state commercial spot shrimp fishery shall be provided harvest opportunity for the remaining 50 percent of the state’s overall quota.

For local anglers, the option calls for the recreation allocation to be 40 percent in Management Area 6, including the waters off Tacoma and Olympia. In Area 5, Hood Canal, the recreational fishery would be structured to take 100 percent of the state quota annually.

Option 2

The fishery will be managed for an annual recreational harvest allocation of 65 percent of the combined state spot shrimp quota for all management regions. The state commercial spot shrimp fishery would be able to harvest the remaining 35 percent of the state’s overall quota. The harvest ration would vary by regoin.

In Region 6, the recreational fishery would be structured to take 100 percent of the state’s quota. But commercial harvest openings can occur with a maximum harvest of 10 percent of the state quota. In Region 5, the recreational fishery would be 100 percent of the state’s quota, with commercial harvest openings allowed a maximum harvest of 5 percent of the state quota.

Option 3

This option contains the recommendation from the Commercial Advisor Group.

In regions 2, 4-6, the recreational spot shrimp fishery would be structured to take 100 percent of the state’s quota. State commercial harvest openings could take place after the recreational seasons are completed, with a maximum harvest of 10 percent of the state’s quota in each region.

In regions 1 (San Juan Islands) and 3 (Strait of Juan de Fuca) the recreational fishery would be structured to harvest 16 percent of the combined regional quotas, with the reminder set aside for commercial fishing. The Discovery Bay shrimp district would be managed for an exclusive recreational fishery.

Option 4

This is the recommendation from the Recreational Advisor Group.

It calls for a recreational spot shrimp fishery in regions 2 and 4-6 to take 100 percent of the state’s quota. Commercial harvest openings could occur after the recreational seasons are completed, with a maximum harvest of 10 percent of the state’s quota in each region.

Regions 1 and 3 would be managed to provide recreational and commercial harvest opportunity. The recreational fishery would be allowed to harvest 51 percent of the combined regional quotas. The Discovery Bay shrimp district would be managed for the exclusive benefit of the recreational fishery.

information

Review the options: The potential options, as well as draft Puget Sound shrimp policy language, are available for review at wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ps_shrimp.html.

Testify: The commission is scheduled to hold public hearings on the options during its Oct. 5-6 and Nov. 8-9 meetings. The commission is scheduled to make a final decision at its Dec. 14-15 meeting.