The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources opened additional waters for shrimping today (Thursday, Oct. 20).

Beginning at 6 a.m., all waters south and west of a line beginning at Biloxi Bay Channel Beacon “18,” running northwesterly to Biloxi Bay Channel Beacon “22” then northwesterly to Biloxi Bay Channel Beacon “26” then westerly to Beacon “34,” exclusive of the Biloxi Channel itself, then westerly to Beacon “30” in the Biloxi Channel, exclusive of the Biloxi Channel itself and then due south to a point on Deer Island.

Recreational and commercial shrimp season will close at midnight Dec. 31, 2016, north of the Intracoastal Waterway and at midnight April 30, 2017, south of the Intracoastal Waterway. Live-bait shrimping is open year-round to licensed live bait vessels.

Details at Mississippi Shrimp Information Hotline (866-938-7295) or the MDMR at 374-5000.