Feast on the freshest shrimp! š¦
- misscaptsunset
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
You can still buy shrimp right off the boat in Biloxi. š¦
History and Culture of Seafood on the Gulf Coast
Biloxi was known as the "Seafood Capital of the World" for good reason. The abundance of life underwater in the Mississippi Sound was once prolific! For a deep dive into the history, ecology, economics, and impact of the Gulf of Mexico, check out this fantastic book by Jack E. Davis. And Biloxi's Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum is a fascinating stroll through time of bygone ways along the very shores that Biloxi Boat Tours cruises every day. Most of our shrimp boats are operated by generational families.
Let's buy local shrimp!
But did you know you can still buy fresh shrimp right off the boat on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? If you're in Biloxi, you'll find the shrimp boats full with their catch in the morning at the Small Craft Harbor behind the Hard Rock Casino. Bring your empty cooler to the boat, then fill 'er up with shrimp literally caught hours before in the Mississippi Sound.
Why do shrimpers fish overnight?
Shrimp are smart during the day! They bed in the muddy bottom and stay safe from predators. But at night they pop out and get active. The shrimp boats let down their nets and trawl the troupes of shrimp to bring them back to port before sunrise.
All kinds of shrimp...
Brown shrimp make up the great majority of harvest in the Mississippi Sound which is best in summer and fall.
Pink shrimp are also nocturnal and are most abundant in winter and spring.
Then there are white shrimp--the outliers. They are most active during the day and are generally found in more shallow waters in fall and winter.
When is shrimp season?
Our Mississippi Department of Marine Resources regulates when and where shrimp may be harvested. Usually, you can see the boats parading out of the harbors at sunset between June and December.
