Only in Louisiana: The annual pardoning of the crawfish

What's happening: Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board will gather in Breaux Bridge at 9:30am to pardon the Sherbin and spare him from winding up in a boil.

• The event will be livestreamed on Facebook.

The big picture: Nungesser started the annual pardoning eight years ago as a way to celebrate crawfish season.

• Louisiana leads the country in crawfish production, supplying 100 to 120 million pounds annually, according to the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
• The crawfish industry contributes $300 million to the state's economy each year, officials say.

Yes, but: Crawfish producers say there's a shortage in the state, placing blame on last year's record heat and extreme drought.

• Prices are currently high, but restaurants say they should come down as the season progresses.

Zoom in: This year's lucky mudbug is named after Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette, whose family has made their living fishing in the Atchafayala Basin for generations, Nungesser's office says.

• Sherbin will live out the rest of his days in Lake Fausse Point State Park in St. Martinville.