Biological Survey of the Commercial Shrimp and Associated Organisms in the Inshore Gulf of Mexico - Study of the Texas Shrimp Populations

Regular stations were set up for weekly samples in the inshore Gulf off Port Aransas, Texas, in depths of 2 to 15 fathoms, in the inshore Gulf off of Port Mansfield, and Port Isabel, Texas for monthly samples in 2 to 20 fathoms, and in the inshore Gulf off Galveston samples under 10 fathoms annually. Brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, were very abundant in the southern Gulf off Port Isabel in May and were predominantly undersize; this same situation existed in June in the Gulf off Port Aransas. Significant numbers of white shrimp, P. setiferus, were found off Port Aransas in January when most were undersize. Pink shrimp, P. duorarum, were most abundant in May off Port Isabel. Seabobs, Xiphopeneus kroyeri, were abundant in January off Port Aransas and were not taken in the southern zone. Abundance of the various species was not noticeably different from that of 1963. Salinity and temperature were similar to those of 1963. Undersized brown shrimp could profitably be protected in the southern waters beginning in May and beginning in June off Port Aransas. Protection of small white shrimp in the southern waters at any time is probably unnecessary, although protection is indicated for the inshore gulf off Port Aransas in January