SHRIMP FISHERY PROGRAM 



J. Bruce Kimsey, Program Leader 



6ALVEST0N 



Broadly stated, the basic objective of the Shrimp Fishery Program 

 is to obtain an understanding of the dynamics of the total population. This in- 

 cludes the preexploited as well as the exploited phases of the commercially 

 important shrimp species. More specific objectives are associated with pre- 

 dicting yield and rationalizing exploitation so that maximum production levels 

 can be maintained. 



A study of offshore shrimp populations began in January 1961 with 

 the sampling of 1 1 stations between Galveston, Tex. , and Cameron, La. , and 

 was completed in January 1962. Some of the results are presented as pro- 

 ject reports in this annual report, while other data are still being analyzed. In 



September 1961, the original sta- 

 tion pattern was expanded to in- 

 clude four additional, six-station 

 transects. In January 1962, fur- 

 ther changes were made, and the 

 offshore sampling study currently 

 consists of 10, six-station tran- 

 sects, ranging from the Missis- 

 sippi River to the Rio Grande 

 River. Two shrimp trawlers, 

 BELLE OF TEXAS and MISS AN- 

 GELA, are chartered to carry 

 out the sampling. The 60 monthly 

 stations are equally divided be- 

 tween 7j, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 60 

 fathoms. At each station a 45 -foot 

 shrimp trawl is towed 1 hour, a 

 20 -minute plankton tow is made 

 with a Gulf V plankton sampler, 

 and current, salinity, and temper- 

 ature measurements are made at 

 various depths. Beginning in Feb- 

 ruary 1962, drift bottles and sea- 

 bed drifters have been released. 



The seabed drifter is a 

 plastic umbrellalike device that 

 barely maintains itself on the bot- 

 tom, which it touches lightly by the 

 tip of the "handle. " Even very 

 small water movements will cause 

 it to drift along the bottom. 



20 



40 



I 



60 



_) 



NAUTICAL MILES 



Station pattern for 1961 cruises between 

 Galveston, Tex. , and Cameron, La. 



10 



