After reviewing data collected by Wildlife and Fisheries’ Shrimp Study staff, the order was issued to close the spring inshore shrimp season effective at sunset Monday.
The closure affects all inshore waters except the “...open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds.” All “outside” waters will remain open.
The closure came after biologists and managers found increasing numbers of small white shrimp in test trawls. This closed period will allow the white shrimp to grow to marketable sizes for the fall inshore season, which usually opens in mid August.
Joe Macaluso