2015 South Carolina Shrimp-baiting Season

The 2015 South Carolina shrimp-baiting season is expected to be a productive one. After a strong spring spawn and a season of good environmental conditions, DNR biologists are optimistic about the fall shrimp season.

“Our crustacean monitoring trips this summer have indicated good numbers of white shrimp in estuarine waters,” said Mel Bell, director of DNR’s Office of Fisheries Management.

South Carolina's 2015 shrimp-baiting season opened on Friday, Sept. 11 and will remain open until noon Tuesday, Nov. 10 in South Carolina waters.

Recreational shrimpers who purchase a shrimp-baiting license can legally cast their nets for shrimp over bait during this season.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opens the shrimp-baiting season annually on the last Friday on or before Sept. 15 each year. The shrimp-baiting season lasts 60 days.

Post-season mail surveys conducted every year since 1988 indicate that recent total catches have been less than 1 million pounds per season (heads on) after peaking at more than 3.6 million pounds in 1997. Despite the decline in total catch, catch per trip has remained relatively stable, averaging about 20-22 quarts per trip since 2001.

The stable catch-per-trip suggests that shrimp abundance has remained relatively good, but fewer licenses and shrimping trips are resulting in a lower overall harvest. DNR biologists recommend that in general, shrimpers should target areas closer to the ocean to avoid smaller shrimp.

Recreational and commercial shrimpers are encouraged to report catches of tiger shrimp in South Carolina to DNR at tigershrimp@dnr.sc.gov. If possible, reports should include a photograph of the animal along with location and date of capture. Specimens less than 5 inches in length are of particular interest and should be kept frozen prior to donation.

source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

South Carolina Anglers Asked to Report Tiger Shrimp Catches

Recreational and commercial fishers are encouraged to report catches of Asian tiger shrimp in South Carolina to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at tigershrimp@dnr.sc.gov, if possible including a photograph of the animal(s). Reports should include as much of the following information as possible:

* Reporter name

* Collector name (if different from reporter name)

* Date of capture

* Method of capture (e.g., commercial trawl, cast net)Tiger shrimp

* Location of capture (as much detail as possible)

* Depth of capture

* Length of tiger shrimp

* Weight of tiger shrimp

* Male or female (if known)

The Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was first reported in South Carolina waters in 1988. Researchers with DNR continue to monitor the abundance and distribution of the species.

Researchers are also interested in receiving tiger shrimp specimens. Specimens less than 5 inches in length are of particular interest to the DNR.

If donated, tiger shrimp should be kept frozen until arrangements can be made for their collection for future analysis by DNR personnel. Donors are also welcome to deliver tiger shrimp live to the DNR Marine Resources Research Institute at Fort Johnson or the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton, SC, after making prior arrangements with DNR researchers by e-mail (tigershrimp@dnr.sc.gov) or phone (843) 953-9840.

source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources