NEWS18-007 | Media contacts:
Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Michelle Dunlop, WDFW Communications, (360) 902-2255 |
Joemma Beach State Park closed to shellfishing year round until further notice
OLYMPIA – Feb. 7, 2018 – Oyster and clam harvest seasons at Kopachuck State Park will be open concurrently — April 1 to May 31 — based on adjusted shellfish harvest dates announced today by Washington State Parks and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Previously, the season for oysters at Kopachuck was March 1 to July 31, and the season for clams was June 1 to July 31. The aligning of the openings serves several purposes: It eliminates confusion for shellfish harvesters, some of whom unknowingly harvest shellfish out of season. In addition, reducing the dates for oyster harvest will, over time, improve the availability of oysters by protecting the resource.
Perhaps most important of all for shellfish aficionados: the harvest dates occur during the spring, when oysters are still at their prime. Extreme low tides in April and May provide optimal conditions for shellfish harvesting.
For more information about Kopachuck State Park clam and oyster beach openings and closures, visit WDFW’s website at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/beach.php?BIDN=280570
In addition to the changes at Kopachuck State Park, park managers and WDFW biologists agreed to close the beach at Joemma Beach State Park to shellfish harvesting until further notice in response to conservation concerns.
For those who want to harvest shellfish in the summer after Kopachuck has closed to harvest, WDFW and State Parks suggest the following alternatives:
For more information about recreational shellfishing in Washington, including links to rules and health advisories, visit WDFW’s website at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/.
For more information about shellfish rule changes, contact Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, (360) 302-3030, ext. 313.
About Kopachuck State Park
Kopachuck State Park is a 109-acre day-use marine park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay in Pierce County, just a half-hour from Tacoma. The park offers 2 miles of shaded hiking trails and a beach, which is popular with families for wading. Boaters and paddlers can cruise the shoreline or make the half-mile trip to Cutts Island, a small clay butte with a stand of trees. For more information, visit http://parks.state.wa.us/530/Kopachuck
________________________________________________________________________________
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650