3.3 — THE SHRIMP INDUSTRY 



Louisiana's most important fishery in dollar terms is 

 shrimp. The catch for the years 1940 to 1974 ranged from 31 

 to 103 million lbs. (Table 3.2). Since trawling is performed 

 over extensive acres of water, oil platforms do not affect the 

 size of the shrimp catch. Of the several species caught in state 

 waters, brown shrimp ( Penaeus aztecus ) and white shrimp ( Penaeus 

 setiferus ) are the most important. During the 1958 to 1971 

 seasons, brown shrimp totaled 41% of the total Louisiana 

 shrimp production. White shrimp, at one time, contributed 

 95% of the total offshore Louisiana catch. However, because 

 of increased amounts of fresh water into estuary nursery 

 grounds, where shrimp spend considerable time, there has been 

 a decline in the catch since 1952 (Barrett and Gillespie, 

 1973). White shrimp spawn in the open Gulf during May 

 through July (Figure 3.1). After that, the larvae return 

 to bays and estuaries and mature to adults in the safety of 

 nursery grounds. The adults then return to the Gulf in the 

 early spring and live in waters less than 100 ft. deep 

 (Viosca, 1957: 8-9). 



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