SHRIMP
(06/05 NCDMF)

Stock Status - Viable - This annual stock consists of three species: brown shrimp, pink shrimp and white shrimp.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1995-2004 -7,116,430 lbs./$16,055,520

2004 Commercial Landings and Value - 4,880,816 lbs./$9,462,852

Average Recreational Landings 2002-2004 - 65,444 lbs. (estimated from RCGL survey)

2004 Recreational Landings - 43,604 lbs. (estimated from RCGL survey)

Status of Fisheries Management Plan - Development of a state FMP began September 2003 and is currently underway. The plan is scheduled for completion January 2006.

Research and Data Needs - Continue with Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) research. Trawling issue studies, including continuation of the development and testing of alternative gears for the trawl fishery.

Current Minimum Size Limit (2005) -None

Harvest Season (2005) - It is unlawful to take shrimp with nets until the fisheries director, by proclamation, opens the season in various waters. Proclamations may specify any hours of day or night or both and any other conditions appropriate to manage the fishery. Some waterbodies are open year round. Check with NCDMF for which waterbodies are open.

Size and Age at Maturity - 3 inches-5 inches/4 months-6 months

Historical and Current Maximum Age -18 months/18 months (rare)

Juvenile Abundance Indices Average 1995-2004 and 2004 (validated)
Average number of shrimp per one-minute tow (brown shrimp only):

Southern District - 70.2 / 44.4
Central District - South side of Neuse River/Pamlico Sound - 101.4 / 59.0
Core Sound - 176.6 / 101.0
Pamlico District - Hyde County -174.1 / 162.0
Pamlico County - 67.1 / 45.0

Habits/Habitats - Shrimp are spawned offshore in the winter. Post-larval shrimp move from the ocean into the estuaries on wind and tide driven currents in early spring. Shrimp move into creek and river bottoms, and grassbeds where they grow rapidly, feeding on plant and animal material such as algae, worms, small fish, crabs and other shrimp. As the shrimp increase in size, they migrate from the upper reaches of small creeks to deeper saltier rivers and sounds. By late summer and fall, they return to the ocean to spawn.