Mississippi’s Department of Marine Resources says that shrimp season will begin Thursday for all Mississippi waters south of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Mississippi’s shrimp season usually begins in early to mid-June.

The department says heavy rains in March and April may have slowed the crustaceans’ growth this year, delayed the opening of the season just a bit.

The average catch must reach 68 shrimp per pound before the season can begin.