Fall shrimp season opening announced BATON ROUGE, LA. (AP) (wrkf) - Shrimpers can hit the water inshore in search of shrimp on Monday.

State wildlife officials announced the opening on Thursday.

What is referred to as the "white shrimp season," because of the species of shrimp that is generally available at marketable season beginning in August, will be the same in all three wildlife management zones.

The season is set to close December 16, except for the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds. Certain waters will remain open until 6 a.m. March 31.

State officials say shrimp landings in Louisiana overall in 2007 constituted 110.9 million pounds valued at $139.8 million. White shrimp landings accounted for about 64.5 million pounds or 58 percent of total shrimp landings and were worth $95.5 million.

That means, on average, shrimpers were paid about $1.26 per pound for their catches overall. © Copyright 2009, wrkf