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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2022 fall inshore shrimp season will close at official sunset on Monday, January 23, in the following portions of the state inside waters:

• Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), and 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.

Click here for a map of the closure area.

The following state inshore waters will remain open to shrimping until further notice:

• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sound as bounded by the double-rig line described in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.

Recent biological sampling conducted by the department indicates a decrease in marketable white shrimp and that the average white shrimp size within these state inshore 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 from October 15 through the third Monday in December.

The department will continue monitoring the remaining open areas and 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 before such action.

For more information, contact Peyton Cagle at (337)491-2575 or pcagle@wlf.la.gov.