The Beyer sled, used to sample plankton occurring near the sea bottom. 



Sampling was done in nearly every month of the year and over as 

 wide a geographical area as possible in order to obtain a complete picture of 

 the distribution of pink shrimp larvae in this area. Plankton was collected 

 from Sanibel Island to south of the Florida Keys and from the 100-fathom line 

 inshore to 2 fathoms. The majority of samples were taken in the middle of 

 this area and few were taken in fringe areas. 



Few pink shrimp in early life history stages were found to the east 

 of Key West during any season of the year. In almost all cases those taken 

 have been in the postlarval stage of development. 



Samples during the current year revealed a center of abundance of 

 larvae, which is believed to represent a center of spawning. This center of 

 abundance is located on the Tortugas fishing grounds and shifted position dur- 

 ing the season. 



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