CHAPTER 28 

 The American Shrimp Industry 



Introduction 



The total production of shrimp in the United States and Alaska in 1945, the last 

 year for which complete statistics are available, was 191,345,000 pounds, valued 

 at $21,369,000. Approximately 98 per cent of this total (189,023,700 pounds, 

 valued at $21,288,837) was produced in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. 

 Louisiana was the largest producer, with a total of 116,904,200, valued at 

 $13,894,223. Table 128 contains a breakdown of the production of shrimp by 

 states for the 1948-1949 season. 



Table 128. SmuMP Production, 1948-1949 Season. 



The following table shows the production of shrimp in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, as reported 

 by the various state conservation agencies concerned. All statistics are in pounds, heads on. Conversions 

 have been made on a basis of 210 pounds heads on, per barrel and the equivalent of 125 pounds heads off, 

 per barrel. Data are preliminary and subject to revision. 



Shrimp Production, South Atlantic and Gulf States 

 January-June, 1949 ' 



* As reported to the following state agencies : North Carolina Department of Conservation and De- 

 velopment, South Carolina Board of Fisheries, Georgia State Game and Fish Commission, Alabama Con- 

 servation Department, Mississippi Seafood Commission, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 

 Fisheries. 



" To convert heads on to headless, multiply by .595. 



* Data for Georgia represent the sale of prepaid tax stamps, instead of actual landings. 



* Not available. 



Source: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 



Species of Shrimp Making Up the Catch 



Out of a number of species of shrimp in the South Atlantic and Gulf States 

 only five are of commercial importance. According to Anderson, Lindner, and 

 King (1949) these are; the common shrimp {Penaeus setiberus); the 3-grooved 



590 



