The principal immediate method of stock enhancement for this species is 

 the regulation of fishing. A long-term program of selection for new stocks 

 could have value to this fishery. Environmental monitoring should be part of 

 any management program. 



Pollock 



Pollachius virens is a widely ranging species occurring latitudinally from 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence to New Jersey and vertically from the surface to the 



bottom. This schooling fish spawns in late autumn and early winter. In the 



o 

 Gulf of Maine it spawns at temperatures of 8.3 to 9.4 C and a salinity range 



of 32 - 35 o/oo. The young stages are all pelagic. A 1974 report by the 



National Marine Fisheries Service (1) suggests that this species is being 



underfished. 



Since the maximum sustainable yield for this species is unTcnown and this 



species does not appear to be overfished, suggestions for a stock enhancement 



program do not seem warranted. An apparent need exists for more information 



on the biology of this species and a stock assessment. 



Gulf Shrimp 



The three most common species of shrimp caught in the Gulf of Mexico are: 

 Penaeus aztecus, the brown shrimp; P. setiferus , the white shrimp; and P. duorarum , 

 the pink shrimp. In the Gulf the brown shrimp is of major importance. 



These species have life cycles which are closely associated with both 

 estuaries and the open waters. Spawning occurs in open waters. Fertilized 

 eggs hatch and the postlarval development stage migrate to estuaries where 

 they become juveniles. After several months, they emigrate as pre-adults. 



