Survey of Shrimp populations in the Inshore Gulf of Mexico off Texas

Abstract

In 1965 shrimp and associated bottom organisms were sampled for type, abundance, size groups, and seasonal availability with a 23-25 foot flat otter trawl in the Gulf of Mexico off Port Aransas, Port Mansfield, Port Isabel, and briefly off Galveston, Texas. In regular weekly samples, commercial shrimp of four species, non-commercial shrimp of 7 species, two species of squid, and various associated animals were caught in 100 trawl samples. Brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, were the most abundant of the commercial species, followed by white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, and pink shrimp, Penaeus duorarum. Trachypeneus similis and Squilla empusa were the most abundant non-commercial species. This survey indicates the seasonality of Gulf shrimp populations and the cyclic growth and migration patterns in inshore waters. Periods of abundance are noted for all shrimp. Growth cycle information is given for brown, white, and pink shrimp. Any variation of catch between areas sampled is noted, and data on non-commercial species area included for more comprehensive understanding of the ecology of the inshore Gulf of Mexico.