Commercial shrimp fishing in all legal South Carolina waters opened today at 8 a. m. , later than in other years due to experiencing a winter with more moderate temperatures.
Most of the time, the full shrimp season starts at the end of May, right after the eight smaller provisional areas in the state’s outer waters open. These temporary areas were set up on April 19, 2024, to protect most of the spawning fish that were closer to shore.
“We feel good about the timing of the season opener because it wasn’t too cold this winter, there are a lot of white shrimp in estuaries across the state, and the shrimp’s ovaries are fully developed,” said biologist Jeff Brunson, who is in charge of the agency’s crustacean management.
Officials from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources use samples taken by biologists to decide when the shrimp season starts each year. These samples must indicate that female white shrimp have already spawned at least once.
One risk of starting the season too early and letting trawlers catch females that haven’t spawned yet is that the fall white shrimp crop, which is made up of spring white shrimp, will be smaller.
Shrimping has long been an integral part of South Carolina’s culture and economy. From locally owned seafood restaurants to roadside boils, shrimp is a staple of South Carolina cuisine. But when can you expect fresh, local shrimp to hit markets and menus? The answer lies in understanding the cycles of South Carolina’s shrimp seasons.
An Overview of South Carolina’s Shrimp Seasons
South Carolina typically has three peak shrimping seasons each year:
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Spring (April-June) – The season opens with small provisional areas to protect spawning shrimp. It fully opens once most females have spawned. This targets “roe shrimp” – large early season shrimp that fetch higher prices.
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Summer (July-August) – Shrimping targets brown shrimp, similar in taste and size to white shrimp.
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Fall/Winter (September-December) – The offspring of spring’s roe shrimp become large enough to harvest.
Shrimp seasons are determined by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) based on sampling and studies of shrimp populations. The goals are sustainability and maximizing offshore spawning before harvest begins.
When Does Shrimp Season Start?
The start date of shrimp season in South Carolina varies year to year based on shrimp development and biology:
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Mid-April – Provisional areas open first to allow limited offshore harvesting.
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Late May/Early June – Full season traditionally opens when females have spawned.
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2024 season – Provisional areas opened April 19. The full season opened June 4 after delayed spawning.
SCDNR monitors reproduction and growth rates. Once a majority of females have spawned, the full season can open without reducing the fall population. Opening dates are announced 1 week in advance.
How Is the Start Date Determined?
SCDNR biologists use several metrics to determine season start dates:
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Shrimp size – Larger shrimp indicate maturity to spawn.
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Ovarian development – Advanced ovarian development signals readiness to spawn.
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Water temperatures – Colder winters delay spawning. Warming spring temperatures accelerate it.
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Abundance surveys – More shrimp availability means more have survived to spawn.
These factors indicate whether female white shrimp have had adequate opportunity to spawn. Protecting spawning helps ensure a sustainable harvest and successful fall season.
Traditional Season Opening Celebrations
The start of shrimp season is a major event for coastal South Carolina. Several traditional “Blessing of the Fleet” events celebrate the cultural heritage of shrimping:
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Mount Pleasant – Last Saturday of April
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St. Helena Island – Last Wednesday of April
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McClellanville – First Saturday of May
These festivals wish the fleets safety and bountiful seasons. Shrimp are central to the history, livelihoods, and cuisine of South Carolina’s coastal communities. The season kickoff honors this heritage.
Impacts on the 2024 Season
Several factors could impact South Carolina’s 2024 shrimp season:
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Import pressures – Shrimp imports have saturated the market and depressed prices, hurting local shrimpers. The federal government is investigating illegal dumping.
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Legislation – The “Save Our Shrimpers Act” would prohibit foreign shrimp farming subsidies. This could protect the domestic industry.
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Warmer winters – Without extreme cold, shrimp are spawning earlier. This could allow an earlier full season opening.
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High early abundance – Surveys showed white shrimp numbers above average. This points to a successful spawn and season.
Though concerns exist, 2024 is poised to be a strong season for South Carolina shrimping. Warmer weather, early abundance, and possible trade protections provide hope.
When to Get Fresh SC Shrimp This Season
Knowing South Carolina’s shrimp season cycles allows you to enjoy fresh, local shrimp at their peak:
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Spring – Shrimp boils with roe white shrimp from provisional areas
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Summer – Brunch shrimp and grits with brown shrimp
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Fall/Winter – Lowcountry shrimp and rice or gumbo with smaller white shrimp
Check season openings, support local shrimpers, and use shrimp at their freshest! Shrimp season is a special time across South Carolina’s coastal communities.
South Carolina’s commercial shrimp calendar
South Carolinas commercial shrimp calendar has historically had three seasons.
First, during the spring, shrimpers generally capitalize on the influx of roe white shrimp. These large shrimp fetch higher prices and generate the most value for fishing efforts.
There are a lot of brown shrimp in the summer. They are about the same size and taste as white shrimp.
Finally, shrimpers catch a second crop of white shrimp in the fall and winter. These are the spring roe shrimp’s offspring.
Shrimp are sensitive to cold water and summers that are too wet or too dry because they don’t live long. However, they are also prolific spawners, so populations can quickly recover even after a poor year or season.
It’s Shrimping Season In South Carolina
When is shrimping season in South Carolina?
Shrimping season in South Carolina typically starts in spring with the opening of a small subset of waters, called provisional areas, that allow shrimpers to take advantage of the harvest offshore while still protecting the majority of shrimp that have yet to spawn. South Carolina’s provisional areas opened on April 26 this year.
When is prawn season in South Carolina?
Whatever your preference, shrimp is a seafood delicacy and a favorite of Lowcountry locals and visitors alike. Because of South Carolina’s location and climate, fresh prawns are available to Lowcountry locals for eight months of the year. Starting in May and lasting as late as January, there are three distinctive shrimp seasons.
When is brown shrimp season?
If there are enough eggs spawned to produce a good fall harvest, the Department of Natural Resources will open this season to commercial fishermen. Starting in early June, brown shrimp season typically lasts through August, but significant quantities have also been found in October during years when the brown shrimp population is high.
Are there shrimp in South Carolina?
In South Carolina waters, other small species of shrimp, such as grass shrimp, are easily confused with juveniles of penaeid shrimp but have no commercial or recreational value. Rock shrimp, named for their thick, hard shells, occur in South Carolina’s offshore waters and are commercially fished off Florida’s East Coast.