Jan. 24--The men and women who monitor coastal Georgia fisheries are watching water temperatures closely to see how they might effect spring catches, especially with the mercury dipping below freezing several nights in a row for the second time this month.

Spud Woodward, director of the Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, Brunswick, said when water temperatures dip into the lower 40s and below, shrimp and other popular fish species, like spotted sea trout, are put in peril.

"It can reach lethal levels for some species," Woodward said.

With forecasted temperatures dropping as low as 28 degrees today and lows that are predicted to be in the 30s through the weekend, Woodward said the winter has the potential to impact the spring shrimp harvest.

"We watch these kinds of winters with great concern." Woodward said. "If you get down to the low 40s, you start losing shrimp."

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