Last month we published an article about people who are collecting Moon Shells from private and public beaches in our neighborhood.  The concensous from those who commented on the post was that nobody wants to have the shells harvested, legal or not.  Well I just learned it's not legal to take the shells from the beach.  

This message is from Janice Mathison with the Seattle Aquarium:

Emma Schmitz Park is a City of Seattle designated Marine Reserve, AND a Washington State Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) designated Marine Preserve. City rules ask that people not remove anything from the beach.  WDFW Marine Preserve designation make removing anything from the beach a misdemeanor.  This encompasses the area from high tide to minus 4.5 (extreme low water).

 

I have the new 2009 Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Fishing in Washington guide, which contains all the sport fishing and harvesting rules.  We are in Marine Area 10, found on p.114. This states there is no harvesting at Marine Preserves. You can get these at no cost from most sporting goods stores.

 

You can also find this information on line, but it's confusing navigating through all the WDFW options.  I've attached the page in the Fishing Regulations from the website.  Scroll through the attachment to find Marine Area 10.

 

You can call State Patrol for violations in progress, and you may also call the WDFW Bellevue office.  Please let me know if you would like me to get the phone numbers for you.

 

Thank you for your concern for our beautiful parks and the animals that live in Puget Sound.

 

Download MarineAreaRules