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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2020 fall inshore shrimp season will close in all state inside waters on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at official sunset, with the exception of the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River:
- Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in Orleans parish from the GIWW East Closure Sector Gate westward to the GIWW intersection with the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as bounded by the double-rig line described in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.
See above or click here for a map of closure areas.
All state outside waters seaward of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line, as described in LAC 76:VII.370 will remain open to shrimping until further notice.
Recent biological sampling conducted by the department indicates that the average white shrimp size within large portions of state inside waters is smaller than the minimum possession count allowed by law. A closure is needed to protect the small white shrimp in these waters and provide an opportunity for growth to larger and more valuable sizes. R.S. 56:498 provides that the possession count on saltwater white shrimp for each cargo lot shall average no more than 100 (whole specimens) per pound except during the period from October 15 through the third Monday in December.
The department will continue to monitor the remaining open areas and will close them when biologically appropriate. Notice of any opening, delaying, or closing of a season by the secretary will be made by public notice at least 72 hours prior to such action.
*As a reminder, the average size white shrimp onboard a commercial shrimp vessel after December 21, 2020, must be larger than 100 shrimp per pound due to R.S. 56:498 (100-count possession law). Please consider checking with your seafood buyer to determine if they will be available to purchase your catch.
For more information, contact Peyton Cagle at (337)491-2575 or pcagle@wlf.la.gov.
