Gulf Shrimp Season to Close May 15 to Support Population Growth

May 11, 2026 – AUSTIN — Commercial shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas will temporarily shut down beginning 30 minutes after sunset on May 15, state and federal officials announced, as part of an annual effort to protect and strengthen shrimp populations.

The closure applies to Texas gulf waters stretching from the coastline out to nine nautical miles. Federal regulators with the National Marine Fisheries Service will implement a matching closure in federal waters extending out to 200 nautical miles, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions.

The season is expected to reopen sometime in July, though the exact date has not yet been determined. While July 15 is the earliest possible reopening under state law, biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will conduct surveys throughout early summer to decide the optimal time.

According to TPWD officials, the temporary shutdown is designed to give young brown shrimp time to mature and grow larger before harvest begins again. Larger shrimp typically command higher market prices, benefiting commercial fishermen while also supporting long-term sustainability.

“The goal of this closure is twofold,” said Robin Riechers, director of TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division. “Allowing shrimp to migrate into gulf waters gives them time to mature and grow before commercial fishermen begin the summer season in July. This also helps ensure Texas’ shrimp stocks are sustainable not just for the season, but for upcoming seasons as well.”

Biologists rely on multiple data points to determine the timing of both the closure and reopening. These include shrimp size measurements, catch rates from sampling nets, the percentage of test samples containing shrimp, and environmental factors such as tidal patterns.

The annual closure is a key management tool for one of Texas’ most valuable commercial fisheries, balancing economic needs with conservation goals.