Spring shrimp season to close in majority of state inside waters effective June 19

One of the shortest seasons on record, LDWF says

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries  announced the 2015 spring inshore shrimp season will close in the majority of state inside waters at 6 p.m. this Friday, June 19.

According to a press release, the closure will be effective from the Mississippi/Louisiana line to the western shore of Freshwater Bayou, except for the following waters:

•Lake Pontchartrain, Rigolets Pass, Chef Menteur Pass, that part of Lake Borgne seaward of a line extending one-half mile from the shoreline.

•That portion of Mississippi Sound north of a line beginning 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.

•The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line.

•Those inside waters south of 29 degrees 26 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 50 minutes 30 seconds west longitude westward to the western shore of the Barataria Waterway.

•Those inside waters south of 29 degrees 13 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 90 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 90 degrees 34 minutes 00 seconds west longitude, and those inside waters south of 29 degrees 06 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 90 degrees 34 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 90 degrees 46 minutes 00 seconds west longitude.

For a map detailing the closures, click here.

The decision to close one of the shortest spring seasons on record came after LDWF biologists noted increased quantity, distribution and percentages of small juvenile white shrimp in these areas.

The decision to close the waters was made to protest the young shrimp and allow them to grow to more marketable sizes, the release states.

LDWF 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.