The bay ajichovy, the least abundant of the three species mentioned, 

 averaged only three fish per tow. This contrasts with Galveston Bay, where 

 at this time of year the anchovy usually occupies second place in abundance, 

 with the spot in third place. The modal length of the bay anchovy was between 

 40 and 50 mm. 



Thirty -three other less abundant species of finfish were caught. As 

 a whole, the biological samples are typical of brackish estuaries and bays in 

 this area for this time of year, with a few exceptions. Near the mouth of the 

 river and along the Gulf side of West Matagorda Bay, the stations occasionally 

 yielded a few marine forms not normally associated with the estuaries. 



Among the motile invertebrates taken, 3 species of the 10 recorded 

 have been classed as the most important connmercially. The other seven 

 forms are of little commercial value. 



The blue crab has been relatively abundant with an average catch 

 of six crabs per tow. During April, a large number of mature ripe fennales 

 moved into the river and West Matagorda Bay. 



Large white shrimp occurred sporadically from February to May. 

 The largest of these shrimp reached 32 g. During June, smaller white shrimp 

 (average, 0. 50 g. ) were taken in increasing numbers, indicating that the sum- 

 mer run was beginning. The average catch of large white shrimp from Feb- 

 ruary to May was 0. 5 per tow; in June, the smaller shrimp averaged 12. 5 per 

 tow. Postlarval shrimp, probably brown shrimp, were first taken in the trawl 

 cover during early April. Subsequent samples indicated an increase in the 

 size and nunnbers of individuals as well as a continuing influx of postlarval 

 shrimp. By the latter part of April, the earlier arrivals had attained a size 

 large enough to be retained in the larger nnesh net, and thus began appearing 

 in increasing abundance at the other nine trawl stations. In May and June, 

 the modal weight was between 1. and 2. 5 g. with a few as large as 21 g. The 

 average catch per 5-minute tow during April, May, and June was 60. 



Oysters are abundant in East Matagorda and West Matagorda Bays, 

 in both shallow and deep waters. A sizable commercial fishery is dependent 

 upon these shellfish. No attempt has been made to study oyster ecology in 

 relation to this project. 



Several boats operate trammel nets commercially, chiefly in the 

 shallow waters of West Matagorda Bay. They take principally redfish, 

 Sciaenops ocellatus, and speckled trout, Cynoscion nebulosus . 



72 



