Inshore shrimping season closed for all but Breton, Chandeleur sounds

LDWF closes season because of increase in small juvenile white shrimp

LDWF graphic

Louisiana's spring inshore shrimping ended in all but the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds on July 14, the LDWF said.

The 2012 spring inshore shrimp season closed at 6 a.m. on July 14 in state waters, with the exception that open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds as described by the double-rig line, the the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said.

Effective with this closure, all state inside waters are closed to shrimping except for the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, the LDWF said.

Data collected in recent weeks by LDWF biologists indicates increased quantity, distribution and percentage of small, juvenile white shrimp within these waters. The decision to close these areas was made in an effort to protect these developing shrimp and provide opportunity for growth to larger and more marketable sizes.

All state outside waters remain open to shrimping; however, certain areas are still closed to commercial fishing and certain recreational fishing activities due to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the agency reported.

Maps of the areas that remain closed to recreational and commercial fishing are posted to the LDWF website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/oilspill.