A study of Texas shrimp populations, 1976

Brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, were sampled in March, April and May 1976 in selected bays to determine growth rates of immature shrimp and to estimate the time of bay - to - Gulf migrations. Hydrological conditions in sampled bays were excellent for brown shrimp growth and survival. Temperatures after 1 April were >/= 20 C and salinities in most nursery areas were > 15.0 o/oo. In March, post - larvae and juvenile shrimp in Galveston Bay grew 0.5 to 1.4 mm/day. In April and May, growth rates were 1.5 to 1.6 mm/day in Galveston Bay, 2.0 mm/day in Matagorda Bay, 1.7 mm/day in Aransas Bay and 0.9 to 1.4 mm/day in the lower Laguna Madre. Based on rapid growth rates and strength of early 1976 brown shrimp waves, an early starting date (17 May) of the closed Gulf shrimp season was set. The season was closed 60 days to allow a portion of brown shrimp to reach marketable size before harvest.