Shrimpers across south Louisiana say they are ready for today's start of the white shrimp season.

About 60 percent of the shrimp harvested in the U.S. comes from the Gulf of Mexico. The total domestic shrimp harvest brought in $518 million in 2011.

Today's opening date was based on recommendations presented by state Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments from the public.

The season officially opened up at 6 a.m. on the inside waters of the western shore of the Atchafalaya River. The season opens up east of the river at 6 p.m.

Federal data indicates that about 26.1 million pounds of shrimp were caught in Louisiana between January and May.

Some areas remain closed to commercial fishing following BP's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

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