Population Studies of the Blue Crabs of the Matagorda Bay - Studies of the Blue Crab Populations of the Texas Coast

Catches at tertiary bay stations indicated the presence of three waves of juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the Matagorda Bay area in 1964. These waves were found in March, July and November. Bar seine data (1964) indicate a 280 per cent increase in the abundance of juvenile ble crabs over that of 1962 and a 150 per cent increase over that of 1963. Comparison of catch rates of juvenile blue crabs at tertiary and secondary bay locations with water temperature and salinity indicated a lack of correlation between these factors and the abundance of crabs in 1964. Bi gravid female blue crabs were observed nor was there evidence of infection the sacculinid, Loxothylaus texanus.