Rep. Joel McEntire, R-19th District, celebrated a major win for coastal communities today as the governor signed Substitute House Bill 1309 into law.

The bill establishes a research program through the Washington State Department of Agriculture to develop sustainable methods for managing burrowing shrimp. This pest threatens oyster and clam beds farming operations in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.

Growers say controlling the shrimp is vital to the shellfish industry in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.

The native shrimp are kind of like finger-sized moles of the ocean. They dig tunnels in the tide flats and anything put on top — whether it be an oyster or a rubber-booted shellfish farmer — just sinks into the mud.

“This is a big step forward for one of our state’s most iconic industries,” said McEntire. “Burrowing shrimp have been wiping out shellfish beds and putting jobs, families, and local economies at risk. This bill gives us a smart, science-based path forward.”

The new law creates an Integrated Pest Management Research Program, bringing together scientists, shellfish growers, tribal representatives, and regulatory agencies to explore innovative solutions to control burrowing shrimp without harming the broader ecosystem.

“We’ve spent years trying to replace outdated control tools that are no longer permitted,” McEntire said. “This program will help us find real alternatives that are safe, effective, and grounded in research.”

The bill passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support—94-1 in the House and 48-1 in the Senate.

“We don’t just grow oysters in Southwest Washington—we grow opportunity,” McEntire added. “This new law protects our working waterfronts and keeps our rural economy strong.”

The program is set to run through 2035, with a governing board of growers, agency officials, and community stakeholders guiding the research and grant funding process.

The 2025 session is scheduled to adjourn on April 27.