Flooding Threatens Shrimping Season

By Associated Press

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Published: Mon, April 14, 2008 - 7:37 am
Last Updated: Mon, April 14, 2008 - 7:41 am

HOUMA, La. (AP) - Flooding on the Mississippi River could affect
south Louisiana's spring shrimping season, just weeks after
officials said the mild winter could create perfect growing
conditions for shrimp.
Louisiana fisheries officials are monitoring the effect of
freshwater flows entering basins below the Mississippi and
Atchafalaya rivers.
Martin Bourgeois is a biologist with the state department of
wildlife and fisheries.
He says last week's opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway near
New Orleans will cause an influx of freshwater that isn't good for
brown shrimp.
He says the longer the spillway stays open, the greater the
effect on the brown-shrimp supply. The Army Corps on Engineers has
said the spillway could remain open for two to four weeks.
Bourgeois says it's going to be a -- quote -- "crazy April."
The offshore season is set to open tomorrow (Tuesday), at noon,
from west Vermilion Bay to Caillou Boca -- off the central
Terrebonne Parish coast. Officials will decide opening dates for
the spring inshore season on May First.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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