SHRIMP
(06/06 NCDMF)

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

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1996-2005 - 6,484,998 lbs./$14,464,016

2005 Commercial Landings and Value - 2,354,611 lbs./$4,403,318

Average Recreational Landings 1996-2005 - Unknown, 2005 - Unknown

Average Recreational Commercial Gear Landings 2002-2005 – 57,218 lbs., 2005 – 32,542 lbs.

Status of Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) - A state FMP was approved in April 2006 by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.

Data/Research Needs - Standardized effort and bycatch estimation data. Trawling issue studies, including continuation of the development and testing of alternative gears for the trawl fishery, bycatch characterization, and habitat impacts.

Current Regulations (2006) - None

Harvest Season - 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 the Division of Marine Fisheries for which waterbodies are open.

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

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

Juvenile Abundance Index 1996-2005 and 2005 * (validated; brown shrimp only)
Southern District - 69.7 / 70.1
Central District - South side of Neuse River/Pamlico Sound - 95.8 / 28.2
Core Sound - 170.1 / 110.3
Pamlico District - Hyde County - 75.6 / 28.0
Pamlico County - 59.6 / 46.5

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.

*Average number of shrimp per one-minute tow.