Study of the Texas Bay Populations of Juvenile Shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, Penaeus setiferus, and Penaeus duorarum

Postlarvae were found entering Aransas Bay in appreciable numbers in the spring of 1963. Late post-larval and early juvenile stages of brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, were found in tertiary bays in April. White shrimp, P. setiferus were found in May and June. Brown shrimp grew about 0.8 mm per day, while white shrimp grew about 1.1 mm per day. The first wave appeared to be smaller than latter waves. Small brown shrimp were found moving through the inshore Gulf in large numbers in June and July. White shrimp reached a larger size in the bays in June and July. White shrimp reached a larger size in the bays and supported a large commercial bay fishery. Late fall waves of white shrimp left the bays at a smaller size (probably to escape low water temperatures). Preliminary data indicate the 1963 shrimp landings increased 25% over 1962 landings.