The bait shrimp fishery of Galveston Bay, Texas.

Date

1960

Authors

Chin, E.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

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Abstract

From June 1957 through May 1959 the bait shrimp fishery in Galveston Bay, Texas, was studied to determine the species composition and the magnitude of the catch. Total production for the 2-year period amounted to over 676,000 pounds, having a retail value of almost $779,000. The fishery is chiefly in summer and fall: over 90 percent of the production occurred from May through October. Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) and white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) were the major species taken. Occurring sporadically were pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), seabobs (Ziphopeneus kroyeri), and Trachypeneus sp. The median weight of brown shrimp in samples obtained from the fishery was almost static at 2.0 to 4.0 grams and did not exceed 5.0 grams. The median weight of white shrimp fluctuated and ranged up to 15.5 grams. Young white shrimp apparently enter the bay later in the year than brown shrimp, stay longer, and grow to a larger size before leaving for offshore waters. Length-weight relationships for brown and white shrimp were determined.

Description

p. 135-141.

Keywords

shrimp fisheries, capture fishery economics, Penaeus aztecus, Penaeus setiferus, Penaeus duorarum, white shrimp, brown shrimp, pink shrimp, seasonal abundance, fishery economics, seabob, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, Trachypenaeus sp., length-weight relationships

Citation