(CBS News) DULAC, La. - Shrimping season opened Monday off Louisiana and fishermen can't get over what they're now finding in their nets. Some say the coastline is under invasion. The giant invaders are valuable, but may be destroying the Gulf ecosystem.
From Texas to North Carolina, fishermen have been catching giant shrimp, big enough to stretch across a 12-inch dinner plate.
Shrimp captain James Mason has fished Louisiana's coast for 44 years.
But he had never caught an Asian tiger prawns one of these until last April, when he netted seven in one month.
"I didn't know what to think," Mason said. "We dumped the net and that popped out on top and I said, 'My god what a big old shrimp.'"
Mason has sold a few for top dollar.
"That's the most expensive shrimp I've ever sold in my life," he said. "Eight dollars apiece."
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