BILOXI, Miss. – The executive directors of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in an abundance of caution, are closing Mississippi territorial marine waters east of the Gulfport Ship Channel to shrimping, effective immediately.
This precautionary closure is a result of oil sightings in this general area and the potential impacts on Mississippi’s coastal marine resources. The continuous monitoring of this situation is to ensure public safety and protection of Mississippi’s coastal resources.
Mississippi shrimping waters west of the Gulfport Ship Channel remain open. All other regulations set by the DMR are to be in full force and effect, and all boats engaged in catching or transporting shrimp in or from the waters of Mississippi must be legally licensed.
For the latest updates on the Mississippi shrimp fishery, call the toll-free Shrimp Information Hotline 1-866-We Trawl (866-938-7295).
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes.
Source: Mississippi Department of Marine Resources