Shrimp season opening gets new test

The opening of the brown shrimp season in Mississippi waters should occur within the first two weeks of June. William Walker, executive director of the state Department of Marine Resources, was given authority to open the season when test trawls yield 68 shrimp per pound. Walker said he has added an additional test for the opening of shrimp season: testing shrimp for petroleum hydrocarbons. The test for petroleum hydrocarbons in shrimp tissue is a first, he said. "We think our seafood is just fine, We want to verify that," he said. Mississippi shrimp landings in 2008 were valued at $8.6 million. (Source: Mississippi Press, 05/24/10)