The Commission on Marine Resources passed a new trawl door size regulation for Mississippi territorial waters that will take effect on May 20, 2011.

The season has not yet opened and dates have not yet been set. The Department of Marine Resources is sampling the shrimp and will set an opening for the season once shrimp have reached size requirements.

The previous 6-foot-by-34-inch trawl door requirement has been increased to accommodate larger doors. The new size allows up to 8 feet by 43-inch doors, which is consistent with Louisiana requirements.

This allows fishermen to cross state lines without changing doors, which can be labor intensive. It will also relieve the monetary burden of needing two sets of doors to cross state lines.