BILOXI, MS (WLOX)- Mississippi is one important step closer to opening this year's shrimp season.

On Tuesday, the Commission on Marine Resources gave the DMR executive director the authority to open the season, once the shrimp reach legal size.

Legal size is 68 count per pound and the shrimp are getting close to that.

Historically, the season opens around the first week of June. And it appears that will be the case in 2012.

Traci Floyd gave commissioners an overview of last year's season and talked about the conditions for growing shrimp this year.

BILOXI, MS (WLOX)- The Commission on Marine Resources voted today to authorize the executive director to set an opening date for shrimp season. Shrimp must reach the legal requirement of 68 count per pound before the opening is allowed.

The Department of Marine Resource's Traci Floyd told commissioners the upcoming shrimp season looks to be "average". She presented a review of last year's season.

It was impacted by the opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway. Last year, shrimp season opened in late May. It was one of the earliest opening dates in recent history.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office is continuing its observance of Police Memorial Day by placing wreaths on the resting places of officers who died in the line of duty in our community.

On Thursday, May 17th, 2012, at 2 p.m., deputies from the Sheriffs Office will simultaneously place flowers at the appropriate cemeteries. The officers who
will be remembered are:

Ocean Springs Police Sgt. Ernest F.