Shrimp landings and production of the State of Texas for the period 1956-1959, with a comparison with other Gulf states.

Data on shrimp production from 1956 through 1959 in Texas and other states of the Gulf and South Atlantic area are presented in tables and graphs from state and federal sources. Interpretive comments are made on trends, seasonal variations, and areal differences. In Texas total production has been relatively stable but white shrimp production has declined. White shrimp dominate landings in Louisiana and the upper Texas coast; brown shrimp dominate the catch of the central Texas coast; while pink shrimp are important in Florida and the Texas coast. Following maximum yields of brown shrimp in summer and white shrimp in the early fall, catch records show a southward drift of populations off the Texas coast in fall. Catch per hour was correlated with total production and was markedly seasonal.