The shrimp boats dotting the waters of Louisiana are set to see a bit less action as the state announces the impending close of the fall inshore shrimp season for select areas. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stated that part of Zone 2 will shutter to shrimpers at sunset on December 22. The decision comes as current samplings suggest a population of white shrimp not yet mature enough to meet legal size requirements for capture, signalling a need for conservation to allow these crustaceans time to grow.
While the affected area of Zone 2 spans from the eastern shore of the South Pass of the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island, rest of Zone 1 and all state outside waters past the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line remain open, as indicated on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries official shrimp season webpage. However, the small size of white shrimp in this specific segment of Zone 2 has triggered the closure under state regulations aiming to ensure the longevity and vitality of the shrimp population.
The regulation in question is R.S. 56:498, which stipulates that the possession count on saltwater white shrimp must average no more than 100 specimens per pound outside of the October 15 to the third Monday in December window. Sampling from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries underscores the necessity of the closure, demonstrating that the shrimp have not yet reached the stage where they can be harvested sustainably. The open areas will continue to be monitored and further closures will be enforced if found biologically appropriate, with public notice given at least 72 hours prior to the action.
The integrity of the ecosystem and the associated industries that rely on these natural resources are a balancing act that state departments like the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are tasked to manage. Ensuring shrimp can reach a more valuable size before being caught isn't just an ecological consideration, it’s also an economic one. For more detailed information and future updates on the shrimp season status, interested individuals can reach out to Konner Lockfield at (504) 286-4184 or via email at [email protected].
