Extreme low tide forces changes for popular spot-shrimp fishery

Changes are coming for the popular inner-sound spot-shrimp fishery this spring.

The season again will open on the first Saturday in May (May 5), but unlike past years, won't reopen on the following Wednesday. Instead, it will reopen on May 11, a Friday.

Mark O'Toole, a state Fish and Wildlife shellfish biologist, says an extreme low tide May 9 coincides with the closing time of the fishery in Hood Canal at 1 p.m., and some other parts of Puget Sound at 3 p.m.

"The timing of the low tide would make it difficult for shrimpers to retrieve their boats from many launch sites where the water line would be way down in the mud or gravel," O'Toole said. "We really don't want to leave anyone stuck at the ramp."

Moving the second shrimping date will avoid the tidal situation, but it does have a potential drawback.

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