Increase in juvenile white shrimp count prompts closing, LDWF says
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced today the 2013 inshore shrimp season will close at 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 18.
The closure affects areas where the season had been extended, including portions of Timbalier Bay, Terrebonne Bay, Lake Pelto and Pelican Lake. And additionally, from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of Bayou Lafourche.
The following state inside water will remain open to shrimping until further notice:
The portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a point on the Mississippi/Louisiana Lateral Boundary at 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west longitude; thence due south to a point at 30 degrees 05 minutes 00.0 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west longitude; thence southeasterly to a point on the western shore of Three-Mile Pass at 30 degrees 03 minutes 00.0 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 22 minutes 23.0 seconds west longitude; thence northeasterly to a point on Isle Au Pitre at 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west longitude, which is a point on the double–rig line as described in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly along the double–rig line to a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at 30 degrees 12 minutes 37.9056 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds west longitude; thence westerly along the Mississippi/Louisiana Lateral Boundary to the point of beginning.
The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.
Data collected by biologists indicated increased quantities and distribution of juvenile white shrimp within the areas set to be closed. The decision was made to close the season in an effort to protect these developing shrimp and provide them the opportunity to grow to more marketable sizes, according to LDWF.
All remaining state outside waters, as well as those portions of the Ponchartrain Basin described above, will remain open to shrimping until further notice.
For a map detailing the closures, click here.
