Commission approves Puget Sound shrimp pot rule changes allowing same‑day spot and non‑spot harvest

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted March 17 to adopt staff-recommended changes to rules governing Puget Sound spot and non-spot shrimp fisheries.

Aaron Defaul, presenting for staff, said the package responds to legislative direction and corrects several administrative items. The primary change allows harvesters to fish for both spot shrimp and non-spot shrimp on the same day so long as they harvest spot shrimp first and complete a landing before fishing for non-spot shrimp. Defaul said electronic fish tickets deployed in recent years give the department tools to track landings and address prior enforcement concerns.

Staff also tightened pot-mesh measurement descriptions used in enforcement to ensure officers and harvesters use the same standard when checking gear, and fixed several minor grammatical errors identified during earlier review and public comment. Defaul told the commission the FISH Committee recommended supporting the staff position after prior committee review and outreach to affected harvesters.

Commissioners praised staff outreach to fishery participants and expressed support for the changes as a practical improvement to the fishery's management. Vice Chair Lemkerel moved adoption of the staff recommendations; Commissioner Garcia seconded and the chair announced the motion carried after the voice vote.

On tribal impacts: staff said the change affects how a catch share is harvested and does not directly change tribes' total shares; affected co-managers were notified and some have expressed interest in observing outcomes.

Ending: The commission adopted the rule changes and staff said it will proceed with the necessary regulatory filings.