Each week we round-up the latest news in fishing from the Northwest and beyond. If you have a tip, email us at news@salmonuniversity.com.

Shrimping Makes a Brief Return

If you haven’t already put all your shrimp gear away for the year – or thrown your bait away – the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that recreational spot shrimp fishing will reopen for one day (Saturday, June 3) in Hood Canal (Marine Area 12). Separately, the daily bag limit is increasing to 120 shrimp for all species (including spot shrimp) in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West beginning on June 1. In addition, on June 1, Marine Area 7 East is reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction; Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 11 are reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing, with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction; and Marine Area 13 is reopening for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing with a 250-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. Open daily. All spot shrimp caught must be returned to the water immediately.

Boat Sales Surge

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) this week reported the $36 billion U.S. boating industry is seeing some of its highest sales in nearly a decade. Unit sales of new powerboats increased six-percent in 2016, reaching 247,800 boats sold, and are expected to increase an additional six percent in 2017.

“Economic factors, including an improving housing market, higher employment, strong consumer confidence, and growing disposable income, are creating a golden age for the country’s recreational boating industry,” said Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA. “Summer is a busy selling season for our industry, and we expect steady growth to continue across most boat categories through 2017—and into 2018—to keep up with the acceleration in demand for new boats.”

According to the NMMA, the top five states in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories were Florida, Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

Spots Filling Fast for Salmon U Trip

Spots are filling fast for Salmon University’s upcoming trip Eagle Nook Resort in Barkley Sound, British Columbia. The four night guided fishing expedition at Eagle Nook will occur from August 6-10, 2017. Learn more, and how to book, here.

Killer Sponge Discovered in North Atlantic

A new species of carnivorous sponge has been discovered in the North Atlantic Ocean by a team of scientists from the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO).

According to a press release from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the sponge is approximately two meters in length and feeds on zooplankton. The surface of the sponge is covered in microscopic hook-like glass spicules (sponge bones) so the whole sponge has a Velcro like surface. The sponge, Cladorhiza kenchingtonae, was named after Dr. Ellen Kenchington.

Approximately a dozen of the world’s 8,500 sponge species are carnivorous.

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