Shrimp and redfish studies, Bryan Mound brine disposal site off Freeport, Texas, 1979-1981. Volume IV: Interview sampling survey of shrimp catch and effort.

Date

1981

Authors

Johnson, M.F.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

NTIS; U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center, Galveston Laboratory

Abstract

An interview sampling survey of shrimp catch and fishing effort was conducted at specified ports along the Texas coast to strengthen the information base required to determine the effect of the disposal of brine from the Bryan Mound salt dome off Freeport, Texas on commercial brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) and white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) populations in the Gulf of Mexico. Catch-effort and mark-recapture data are being used by LGL to estimate rates of shrimp growth, mortality, and migration, as part of an extension of Work Unit 4 (Shrimp Mark-Recapture). These results will be reported in September, 1982. LGL port agents interviewed shrimpers at the ports of Galveston, Port Bolivar, Kemah, Freeport, Palacios, Port Lavaca, Port O'Connor, Rockport-Fulton and Aransas Pass. The data recorded included port number, vessel name, official vessel number, shrimp dealer number, date of landing, area fished, depth of capture, days fished, and pounds of shrimp caught by species and size categories. Additional detailed information on number and size of trawls, area of fishing (latitude and longitude), and fishing effort (day vs. night) was reported by LGL. According to the NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Center, Technical Information Management Services, between 1 September 1979 and 31 January 1981 there were a total of 9,327 offshore vessel trips at the ports surveyed by LGL. The LGL port agents conducted 3,922 interviews of shrimpers and completed 4,046 attachment forms. The LGL port agents also collected, processed and recorded data for a total of 2,128 tagged shrimp recovered by shrimpers, fish house employees and bait dealers.

Description

38 p.

Keywords

shrimp fisheries, white shrimp, brown shrimp, fishery surveys, Penaeus aztecus, Penaeus setiferus, penaeid shrimp, catch/effort, brines, tagging, marking, growth, mortality, migrations, catch statistics, population dynamics

Citation