10 



Unlike the previous species discussed in this report, shrimps are relatively 

 short lived, probably about 2-3 years in duration. Management procedures have 

 to differentially account for this phenomena as compared to other fisheries. 

 Some doubt exists as to what is the maximum sustained yield for this fishery, 

 according to NMFS (1) and R. G. Mauermann, Executive Director, Texas Shrimp 

 Association and Shrimp Association of the Americas (7) . 



A stock enhancement program for this fishery must be based on better 

 stock assessment procedures. Because of the importance of estuaries and open 

 water environments to shrimp populations and the fact that each region is under 

 a different level of governmental control, management procedures must be 

 cooperatively developed between stace and federal agencies. 



Enhancement can result by governing fishing practices, such as mesh size 

 regulation and closed seasons in certain areas. Proper habitat management 

 and environmental control measures are especially important for that phase of 

 the life cycle spent in estuaries. Dredging and filling operations in estuaries 

 have reduced the total amount of habitat available for shrimps at the same time 

 pollution and man-induced environmental perturbations, especially in estuaries, 

 have had lethal and adverse sublethal effects on shrimp numbers. 



In addition to increasing (or maintaining) the population size of wild 



stocks, shrimp mariculture has received active action by commercial comparison 



and government financed research. The Japanese were pioneers in this field 



and have developed a profitable business. However, in the United States 



commercial ventures have not been as successful for a variety of reasons. 



It has been suggested that shrimp farming in the United States will require 



"intensive" aquaculture techniques (rearing in man-made tanks or small enclosures) 

 rather than "extensive aquaculture procedures (rearing in natural waters or 



large ponds with little environmental modification) (2) . 



Stock selection and improvement programs would have long range implications. 



However, with these species it will be necessary to develop the technology of 



