SHRIMP & CRAB BUREAU
- Jason Saucier, Bureau Director
- (228) 523-4038
- jason.saucier@dmr.ms.gov
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 & CRAB NEWS
Order Establishing the 2024-2025 Shrimp Season
2024 Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program
Order Establishing the 2023-2024 Shrimp Season
Order Opening Certain Waters To Shrimping – September 30, 2022
Order Establishing the 2022-2023 Shrimp Season
NOAA Fisheries announces advanced public notice of TED requirements for skimmers less than 40 feet
NOAA Extends Effective Date of Skimmer TED Rule
Order establishing the 2020-2021 Shrimp Season
Shrimping the Sound – Spring 2020
NOAA Issues Rule Requiring TEDs for Skimmer Trawl Vessels
Order Closing the 2019-2020 Shrimp Season
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 TYPE | FEES |
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 |
*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