The shrimp fishery is closed annually off Texas to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest, and to prevent waste of brown shrimp that might otherwise be discarded because of their small size.
The opening dates of the Texas closure are based on the results of biological sampling by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). NOAA Fisheries Service opens federal waters off Texas when the state of Texas opens its territorial waters. Texas opens state waters based on projections of the average size of brown shrimp leaving the estuaries is 112 mm total length, during a period of maximum duration ebb tides. TPWD has projected the criteria to end the Texas closure will be met on 15 July this year.
All shrimp vessels should be aware of two seismic surveys that will be conducted in the Galveston area during July.
