Remainder of spring inshore shrimp season to close July 2

Only open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds to stay open on inside, LDWF says

With the exception of the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, the 2015 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

This action closes shrimping in inside waters within the Mermentau, Calcasieu and Sabine Rivers Basins extending from the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line, the release states.

It also closes those inside waters in Eastern Louisiana currently open, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne and a portion of the Mississippi Sound located in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.  This action also closes those portions of Barataria Bay, Terrebonne Bay and Lake Pelto that remained open on June 19, according to the release.

Effective with this closure all state inside waters will be closed to shrimping except for the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double–rig line in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.  All state outside waters seaward of the Inside/Outside shrimp line will remain open to shrimp harvesting until further notice.

Data collected in recent weeks by LDWF biologists indicate increased quantity, distribution and percentage of juvenile white shrimp within these waters. The decision to close the season was made to protect these developing shrimp so they can grow to more marketable sizes, the release states.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will meet Aug. 6 to consider opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season.  At their July 2 meeting, they also will consider action to authorize LDWF Secretary Robert Barham to open the fall white shrimp season earlier if necessary prior to the August Commission meeting.

For more information on the season closing, click here.