Contributions to the Life Histories of Severol 



Penaeid Shrimps (Penaeidae) Along the 



South Atlantic Coast of the United States 



By 



WILLIAM W. ANDERSON, Fishery Biologist 



Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory 

 Brunswick, Ga. 31520 



ABSTRACT 



Shrimp, the most valuable fishery resource of the south Atlantic coast of the 

 United States, contributed about 40 percent of the $27 million exvessel value of all 

 fishery landings in the area in 1966. Three species of shallow-water penaeid 

 shrimps are of greatest commercial importance: white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus ; 

 brown shrimp, P. aztecus ; and pink shrimp, P. duorarum . The shrimp fishery is 

 reviewed for trends in yield for the area as a unit, by States, and by species, for 

 the 10-year period 1958-67. A trend toward steady decline in total shrimp landings 

 is indicated. 



During studies on the white shrimp along the south Atlantic coast of the United 

 States in 1931-35, data were obtained on the brown shrimp; the sea bob, Xiphopeneus 

 kroyeri; and Trachypeneus constrictus . Observations were also made on the pink 

 shrimp from operations of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries R/V Oregon off 

 northeast Florida near Cape Kennedy in 1965-67. This report presents size dis- 

 tribution, ovary development, and sex ratios of the several species of shrinnp, and 

 includes limited information on spawning season. 



ESTTRODUCTION 



During studies by the U.S. Bureau of Fish- 

 eries on the white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus , 

 along the south Atlantic coast of the United 

 States in 1931-35 (Lindner and Anderson, 

 1956), data were also obtained on several 

 other species of penaeid shrimp along the 

 South Carolina, Georgia, and northeast Florida 

 coasts: the brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus ; 

 the sea bob, Xiphopeneus kroyeri ; and Tra - 

 chypeneus constrictus . In addition, limited 

 data were secured on the brown shrimp and 

 on the pink shrimp, Penaeus duorarum , fronn 

 operations of the Bureau of Connmercial Fish- 

 eries R/V Oregon off northeast Florida near 

 Cape Kennedy in 1965-67. This report gives 

 a general review of the shrimp fishery in the 

 south Atlantic region and presents data on 

 certain aspects of the life histories of these 

 species. 



METHODS 



Details about methods of operation, vessels, 

 gear, and fishing grounds used in the 1931-35 

 studies were given by Anderson (1968). A de- 

 scription of the shallow coastal shrimp fishing 

 grounds of the south Atlantic coast of the 

 United States was given by Anderson, Lindner, 

 and King (1949) and is also figured in Ander- 

 son and Lunz (1965). 



Size of shrimp is total length, measured 

 from tip of rostrum (head spine) to tip of 

 telson (tail spine). The data are combined in 

 5-mm. groups, each of which is represented 

 by the midpoint -- for example shrimp be- 

 tween 101 and 105 mm. total length are shown 

 as 103 mm. and those between 106 and 110 

 are shown as 108 mm. 



Unless otherwise stated, monthly data for 

 the various years were combined to give av- 

 erage figures for each State. 



