Department of Wildlife and Fisheries map of shrimp fishing area.
Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced two shrimp seasons, both to open on Monday, April 18, for a wide swatch of Gulf waters along coastal Louisiana.
There will be a special, five-day shrimp season in a portion of inside state waters. Additionally, there will be an opening of state outside waters currently closed to shrimping.
Special Season
The five-day special shrimp season includes state inside waters from the eastern shore of Bayou Grand Caillou northward to the intersection of Bayou Grand Caillou and the Houma Navigation Canal, northward along the eastern shore of the Houma Navigation Canal westward to the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island which will close to shrimping at 6 a.m. April 23.
Re-opening
The opening of state outside waters includes those waters south of the inside/outside shrimp line. This area begins from the U.S. Coast Guard navigational light at Caillou Boca westward to the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal. These waters will remain open until further notice.
Recent data gathered by LDWF biologists, indicates that marketable shrimp are available for harvest in the designated areas.
Preliminary LDWF trip ticket report data shows that 2010 Louisiana shrimp landings (all species combined/heads-on weight) totaled approximately 110.2 million pounds and had a dockside value of $117.3 million.
The opening dates for the 2011 spring inshore shrimp season will be considered by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at the May 5 meeting to be held at LDWF headquarters.
For more information, check the LDWF website.
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Shrimpin’ is in my blood. Time to push the wingnets or drag your trawl, pick your poison.