Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2016 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 3rd from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the western shore of the Freshwater Bayou canal except for the following waters:
- That portion of the open waters of Mississippi Sound and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds seaward of the double-rig line
A map detailing this closure will be posted at the site below once it is available.
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/shrimp-seasons.
All remaining state inside waters as well as all state outside waters seaward of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line, as described in R.S. 56:495 will remain open to shrimping until further notice.
Data collected in recent weeks by LDWF biologists indicate increased quantity, distribution and percentage of small, juvenile white shrimp within these waters. The decision to close these waters was made to protect these developing shrimp and provide opportunity for growth to larger and more marketable sizes. The areas that remain open will continue to be monitored and they will also be closed when smaller white shrimp in those areas make it biologically inappropriate to remain open.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also reminds shrimpers that there is a possession count on saltwater white shrimp taken in either inside or outside (offshore) waters of Louisiana of 100 count (whole shrimp per pound). This size restriction applies to the taking or possession of such shrimp aboard a vessel, EXCEPT during the period from Oct. 15 through the third Monday in December when there shall be no possession count on saltwater white shrimp taken or possessed. When more than 50 percent by weight of the saltwater shrimp taken or possessed is seabobs or brown shrimp, then the maximum allowable amount of undersized white shrimp taken or possessed shall not exceed 10 percent by weight of the total saltwater shrimp taken or possessed. If compliance issues develop, then the remaining open areas can be closed by the Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries.
For more information, contact Jeff Marx at (337) 373-0032 or jmarx@wlf.la.gov .