The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries this week closed waters to shrimp fishing in the state's eastern- and western-most bays and lakes, ending the season for many shrimpers.
According to a report in The Courier of Houma, La., a high percentage of small white shrimp were being caught. Fisheries biologists closed several areas to protect those shrimp and allow them to grow to marketable sizes for the fall season.
The closed waters include the Mississippi-Louisiana border to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River. Also closed are state waters from the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island to the Louisiana-Texas border.
Shrimpers will still be able to work areas within Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, the Calcasieu River Ship Channel and portions of the Mississippi, Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, said biologist manager Brian Lezina.
"If they close, I would hope they have good reason to do it. Fuel prices are a killer, and with imports driving down dockside prices, it's a double whammy," said Allen Estay, owner of Bluewater Shrimp Co. in Dulac, La. "These shrimpers have everything in the world stacked up against them right now."
