Shrimp
Season Extended in Zone 1
Posted:
12/17/04
Due to the presence
of significant numbers of marketable shrimp within the Pontchartrain
Basin, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
will extend the shrimping season in Zone 1 until official
sunset on Friday, Dec. 31, 2004. This excludes the open waters
of Breton and Chandeleur sounds as described in the menhaden
rule (LAC 76:VII.307D). Shrimp season will remain open in
these areas until 6:00 a.m. March 31, 2005. Zone 1 includes
Louisiana territorial waters from the Mississippi-Louisiana
boundary to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi
River.
The fall inshore shrimp season in Zones 2 and 3 will close
at official sunset Tuesday December 21, 2004. Shrimpers are
reminded that LA R.S.56:498(B) provides that following the
third Monday in December (December 20, 2004) of each year,
the minimum white shrimp possession size limit onboard a vessel
is no less than 100 count per pound (heads-on weight).
According to marine fisheries biologist Keith Ibos, “Significant
numbers of marketable-size shrimp remain within the Pontchartrain
system. Unseasonably warm December water temperatures have
provided continued opportunity for shrimp growth. Recent commercial
catches have consisted of shrimp ranging in size from 16/20
to 50/60 count per pound. A limited season extension within
these waters should provide shrimpers with increased economic
benefits without posing risk to the resource.”
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