Ray
06-21-2010, 04:31 PM
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has ordered the immediate reduction of maximum trawling times for shrimping vessels using skimmer trawls to 30 minutes.
Officials say the tow time reduction from 55 minutes to 30 minutes for skimmer trawls was ordered because of reports of high numbers of endangered sea turtles in the Mississippi Sound.
The tow time requirement is measured from the time the cod end of the trawl enters the water until the cod end is removed from the water.
All other shrimping regulations will remain in full force and effect, and waters east of the Biloxi Ship Channel remain closed to shrimping.
Officials say the tow time reduction from 55 minutes to 30 minutes for skimmer trawls was ordered because of reports of high numbers of endangered sea turtles in the Mississippi Sound.
The tow time requirement is measured from the time the cod end of the trawl enters the water until the cod end is removed from the water.
All other shrimping regulations will remain in full force and effect, and waters east of the Biloxi Ship Channel remain closed to shrimping.