Introduction

Shrimp is one of the largest commercial fisheries in Louisiana, second only in landings to mendhaden. Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) and white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) are the two primary species landed in Louisiana state waters. Louisiana harvests close to 50% of all shrimp landings in Gulf. In 2015, 30.6 million pounds of brown shrimp and 59.9 million pounds of white shrimp were landed worth $27.8 million and $85.4 million respectively. Approximately 67% of shrimp landed in Louisiana is harvested in state waters.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is responsible for monitoring and managing the shrimp fishery in state waters. Federal waters off Louisiana are managed by NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council.

For more information about the Louisiana shrimp fishery, visit FINFO.

For more information about the shrimp fishery in federal waters, visit FishWatch.