Memorial Day signals the unofficial start to summer on the Gulf Coast, which also mean Alabama's shrimping season is set to begin.

All inside waters not permanently closed by law or regulation will open for shrimp harvesting on Sunday, June 1, at 6 a.m., according to the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) pursuant to Section 9-12-46, Code of Alabama, as stated by Rule 220-3-.01.

The waters where shrimping is allowed during the season include Mobile Bay, Bon Secour Bay, Mississippi Sound, Perdido Bay, Arnica Bay, Wolf Bay and Little Lagoon.

Licensed live bait dealers holding a permit for Special Live Bait Areas are reminded that an area beside the Battleship Alabama south of the Tensaw River Bridge, north of a line from the north point of Pinto Pass (N30 40.755 – W88 01.124) to the northwest edge of Goat Island (N30 40.124 – W88 00.784); and west of a line from the northwest edge of Goat Island to the eastern end of Tensaw River Bridge (N30 40.955 – W88 00.444) will be open from one hour before sunrise until sunset from June 1-Dec. 31.

For more information, call MRD at (251) 861-2882.

A boat license is required to shrimp for non-commercial purposes. If taken by cast net, a recreational saltwater fishing license is required in addition to the boat license, according to Outdoor Alabama.

The season normally lasts through May 1 of the next year. There is no size restriction.

In areas open to commercial shrimping, 5 gallons of shrimp with heads intact (whole shrimp including head) are allowed per person per day. In exclusive saltwater bait areas, 1 gallon of shrimp with heads intact are allowed per boat per day. Licensed recreational shrimp boats taking crabs in waters open to commercial shrimping are limited to no more than one 5-gallon container of legal size crabs in possession per boat.

Individuals taking shrimp, for recreational purposes in an area open to commercial shrimping by means of a cast net and with the use of a boat, are limited to no more than 5 gallons of shrimp with heads intact are allowed per person per day, according to Outdoor Alabama.