12/07/2010: "Life & Harvest Of Spot Prawns"

(SeaDoc Photo)

You know you love to catch and eat local Spot Prawns, but do you REALLY know as much as you want to about them?

Did you know that Spot Prawns are actually shrimp, not prawns, and that they are the largest of the 7 shrimp species commercially harvested in the area?

Did you know they are usually born male, reproduce for a few years, then become female and reproduce for a few more years before they die at the early age of 5?

Now is your chance to learn more about this fascinating and tasty local crustacean. On Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm, Rich Childers from the Department of Fish and Wildlife will speak on the life of the Spot Prawn.

This fascinating and fun talk also will include information about how the State regulates Spot Prawn harvest. These shrimp are recreationally and commercially harvested in traps set from 55 to 90 meters (180 to 295 feet) deep, usually in areas where the seafloor is rocky. Be a good listener and you might even pick up a few tips to increase your own Spot Prawn harvest.

The 2010/11 Marine Science Lecture Series was created to inspire the general public and to highlight the amazing fish and wildlife of our region. Lectures are free.

The Lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society and YMCA Camp Orkila. It has been made possible through generous sponsorship by Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters), Eclipse Charters, West Sound Marina and co-sponsorship by Barbara Brown, The Kingfish Inn and Shearwater Kayaks.
The event starts at 7pm at the Camp Orkila Marine-Salmon Center. Please arrive a little early so you can park in the upper lot and take a shuttle down to the Salmon Center. Shuttle service is also available after the lecture.