Abundance and distribution of the Western Gulf Stone Crab (Menippe adina) in Galveston Bay, Texas.

Abundance and distribution of the western Gulf stone crab (Menippe adina) in Galveston Bay were determined by sampling weekly from June through November 1987. Catch per unit effort (CPUE; # of crabs/trap/ 48-hr) was calculated for both sexes combined, each sex, and gravid females by month, habitat, and depth. CPUE valves exceeded 1.00 every month with peak catch rates above 2.00 from July -September in channel habitats. Highest overall CPUE values (1.94) occurred in waters greater than 2.4 m deep. Oyster reef and non-reef/channel habitats yielded low to moderate overall CPUE values of 0.12 and 0.68, respectively.