Scientists predicting above-average haul of brown shrimp

GULF OF MEXICO — Mississippi’s brown shrimp season opened May 30, one of the earliest openings on record, when sampling confirmed shrimp had reached a size of 68 count per pound, the state requirement.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources biologist Bill Richardson tells The Sun Herald the first two weeks of the season brought in about two million pounds.

Marine scientists are predicting an above-average season for the commercial harvest of brown shrimp in the western Gulf of Mexico.

Marine scientists make an annual prediction of brown shrimp catches based on monitoring juvenile populations, growth estimates and environmental indicators.

By their estimate, the harvest in the western Gulf will be 59.2 million pounds, which is above the historical 50-year average of 56.5 million pounds.