Adults . The pompano is a relatively small fish, averaging 1 to 2 lb, but 

 some reach 4 to 6 lb. Most pompano probably live to be 3 to 4 years old. 



There are some indications that pompano migrate north in the spring and 

 summer and return south in fall. Pompano command the highest price per pound 

 of any fish in the southern United States; nearly 90% of total U.S. production 

 comes from Florida waters. 



Diet . Juveniles feed on a wide variety of organisms. Adults are more 

 selective in their feeding and primarily consume coquinas and other mollusks. 



Other Fish Species 



Estuarine and marine fishes in Florida are used commercially for food, 

 bait, oil, fish meal, and pet food. Commercial fishing for tarpon, bonefish, 

 and sailfish is prohibited, but they are highly sought by sport fishermen. 

 Annual fishing tournaments for these species are common. 



The value of products of the commercial and sport fishery and their 

 related or dependent industries or services (such as fuel, fishing equipment, 

 boats, nets, ice, storage, and processing) must be considered before the total 

 value of the fishery resources of Southwest Florida can be accurately estab- 

 lished. 



SHELLFISH 



The most valuable coastal shellfish species sold in Florida markets are 

 shrimp, lobster, blue crab, and stone crab. Of these, the most important are 

 shrimp. In Southwest Florida, pink shrimp ( Penaeus duorarum ) makes up almost 

 the entire catch although there are several closely related species that may 

 occasionally be landed. Rock shrimp ( Sicyonia brevirostris ) is also produced 

 and its importance grew considerably in the 1970"^ 



Landings of shrimp from Southwest Florida ranged from 15.7 million to 

 22.9 million lb from 1970-80 and generally represent over 50% of the total 

 State landings. Because of the large volume and relatively high dockside 

 prices, shrimp is Florida's most valuable commercial species (landed value 

 over $41 million in 1980). The importance of the shrimp fishery of the Gulf 

 of Mexico has been reported by Christmas and Etzold (1977) and for the south 

 Atlantic United States by Eldredge and Goldstein (1975). A description of the 

 biology of the pink and rock shrimps is given in the following subsections 

 (Joyce 1965, Farfante 1969). 



Pink and Rock Shrimp 



Spawning . Pink shrimp spawn year-round at depths of 12 to 26 fathoms but 

 most spawn in the spring and fall. Rock shrimp spawn at depths of 20 to 

 70 fathoms in winter and spring. About 500,000 fertilized eggs are released 

 into the water column by each female. Females may spawn several times in one 

 season. 



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