Shrimp populations in Texas, 1972

In spring 1972 brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) were monitored in five Texas coastal bays to predict time of the bay-to-Gulf migration. The prediction that emigration would begin in mid-May was used by the Parks and Wildlife Commission to set 17 May as the starting date for the 45-day closed season in the shallow Gulf (from the coast out to 18.53 km, 10 nautical miles). The prediction was correct, therefore the closed season allowed a portion of the brown shrimp to reach large size before harvest.