Marine Biologist

Objectives: To study the shrimp of the area, and investigate the populations and migration of each species commercially important. Penaeus setiferus and Penaeus aztecus are the two species studied in this job. Procedure: Shrimp were collected by shrimp trawl and any other method found feasible. Numbers and length frequency were recorded of each catch made at established stations throughout the study period. Ecological conditions affecting populations were studied. Findings: It appears that both Penaeus setiferus and Penaeus azteeus prefer the fresh waters of Hynes Bay and upper San Antonio Bay as their nursery grounds when the salinities stay between five parts per thousand and twelve parts per thousand. The preliminary survey seems to indicate that these two species maintain their environment by moving as required to stay within these salinity limits until they reach about 100 mm. Then they slowly start migrating to the more saline waters of the lower bay areas, and finally enter the Gulf of Mexico