State waters to open for shrimping June 23; DMR explains why Mississippi opened later than neighbors

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced that all currently closed state waters would open to shrimping on Monday, June 23, at 6 a.m., and explained the agency's sampling requirements that typically result in a later opening than Louisiana and Alabama.

"Monday, the 23rd at 6AM," said Jason Saucier, Shrimp and Crab Bureau director, when asked about the opening date. The department has posted the notice on its website, updated the shrimp hotline, and issued a press release, Saucier said.

Saucier told the commission Mississippi still samples to reach a 68-count shrimp standard before opening; by contrast, Louisiana historically opens earlier using a smaller-size threshold and Alabama now opens by statute on June 1 rather than by sampling. "I think they opened their zone that's nearest us April 22," Saucier said, explaining that neighboring states' openings sometimes target smaller, more inshore shrimp populations. He also noted recent rains likely affected shrimp growth this year.

Commissioners and staff discussed harvest movement toward the islands and federal waters; the department reminded fishers that once vessels move three miles seaward they enter federal waters and different rules apply.

The department said it would check with shrimpers and ice houses this week to ensure awareness of the opening.

Background: the department performs biological sampling to verify size distributions and legal harvest before opening state waters; the 68-count target is the agency's threshold cited in the briefing.