Feasibility of improving the economic return from the Gulf of Mexico brown shrimp fishery

The feasibility of improving the economic return from the brown shrimp fishery is investigated using a bioeconomic model. Using federal and state management closures, options were evaluated for Texas and the entire Gulf of Mexico. Each evaluated closure gave positive net profits. However, only some small vessels (less than 50 ft in length) showed increased profits; larger vessels (greater than 50 ft in length) showed increased profits. Undocumented vessels of unknown length did not experience increased profits.