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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Wildlife officials say below-normal water temperatures have killed nearly all the white shrimp in the waters along the Carolinas coast.

The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that federal waters -- which start three miles off the coast -- will reopen to shrimping Tuesday. Closer in-state waters will remain closed until water temperatures are warmer.

Most white shrimp are caught in the fall while they are small, followed by a spring catch of larger shrimp that have spent the winter in waters near the shore before swimming to sea.

South Carolina fishermen caught 1.3 million pounds of white shrimp last fall.

North Carolina officials say white shrimp catches typically vary from 2 million to nearly 7 million pounds annually.

Officials say shrimp populations are likely to rebound in a year or two.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)