Please send link to WDFW Comm We need more Shrimp!

[Fishnut]

To all,
Please take 1-2 minutes to fill this out.

We have been working on a new shrimp policy for the recreationals. Click this link to ask the commisson to suport the recreational advosors proposal of 75/25. Click here:
https://www.votervoice.net/Groups/PSA/A ... &SiteID=-1


Please support us at the commission meeting on the 9th at 9AM! Wear your PSA, CCA, NSIA, or any sportfishing attire you have!
It is imperative that we show up in masses at the commission meeting on Nov 9 in Olympia at 9:00 AM.


Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington 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.

[Salmonhawk]

Done! Thanks Ron