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SHRIMP & CRAB BUREAU

The Shrimp and Crab Bureau conserves and revitalizes Mississippi’s shrimp and crab resource and supports habitat to ensure balanced and sustained utilization and maintaining stewardship of living marine resources for commercial and recreational fisheries at optimal levels as modified by social, economic and biological factors.

The Bureau provides management of the state’s commercial and recreational shrimp and crab fisheries. Cooperation and coordination with adjoining state agencies, as well as regional and federal fishery management authorities, are integral to the success of shrimp and crab management activities. The program includes monitoring and assessment of the shrimp and crab fisheries, coordination of the Mississippi Crab Task Force, issuance of Scientific Collection Permits, inspections and reporting of the live-bait shrimp industry, Real-Time Hydrological Monitoring Program, coordination of grants with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Monitoring Program, and the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program.

The shrimp and crab fisheries are managed by the setting of seasons, gear regulations and implementation of other related management measures as required. Shrimp and Crab Bureau personnel work cooperatively with federal agencies, including the NMFS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, GSMFC and the U.S. Geological Survey. Cooperating state agencies include the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Service, as well as neighboring state marine resource management agencies.

SHRIMP ZONES MAP
MISSISSIPPI WINTER CRAB SANCTUARY MAP
SHRIMP & CRAB LICENSING

Licenses can be purchased at Mississippi Department of Marine Resources at 1141 Bayview Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi.

All non-residents must purchase their licenses from Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

Shrimp season is officially opened by public notice when it has been determined that shrimp reach legal size.

LICENSE TYPEFEES
RESIDENT SHRIMP LICENSES
Recreational 16′ net or less*$15
Under 30′ boat$60
30′ to 45′ boat$85
Over 45′ boat $110
Captain’s License$10
NON-RESIDENT SHRIMP LICENSES
Recreational 16′ net or less$30
Under 30′ boat$110
30′ to 45′ boat$160
Over 45′ boat$210
LOUISIANA RESIDENT SHRIMP LICENSES
Louisiana Resident Recreational$100
Louisiana Resident One Trawl$700
Louisiana Resident Two Trawl$800
ALABAMA RESIDENT LICENSES
Recreational Shrimp License 16′ net or less$30
LIVE BAIT LICENSES
Live Bait Dealer$50
Live Bait Boat$100
Captain’s License$10
RESIDENT CRAB LICENSES
Recreational Crab Trap License$5
Commercial Crab Trap License$75
Commercial Crab Trawl License$75
NON-RESIDENT CRAB LICENSES
Recreational Crab License$5
Commercial Crab License$200
Commercial Crab License for Shrimpers$200
LOUISIANA RESIDENT CRAB LICENSES
Recreational Crab License$60
Commercial Crab Trap License$660
Commercial Crab Trawl License$660
Every individual applying for a license must bring a driver’s license at the time of registration (driver’s license must match boat owner’s identification), boat documentation/registration, and the license fee (cash and checks are accepted; credit cards and out-of-state checks are not accepted). To be issued a tax number, the individual must have a current shrimping license from another state.
 

*A net OVER 16 ft. in size changes fishery status from recreational to commercial.

DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL PROGRAM

MDMR staff periodically coordinates derelict crab trap cleanups to allow the general public to be involved in these efforts. The Mississippi Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program has removed over 21,900 derelict crab traps from Mississippi’s waters since its inception in 1999.

WHY REMOVE DERELICT CRAB TRAPS?

  • Navigational hazards

  • Improve aesthetics

  • Prevent ghost fishing

  • Prevent user group conflicts

SHRIMP HOTLINE

(866) WE-TRAWL | (866) 938-7295