Relationship between ex-vessel value and size composition of annual landings of shrimp from the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts.

The relationship between ex-vessel value and size (number of shrimp per pound, heads-off) composition of annual landings of brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, pink shrimp, P. duorarum, and white shrimp, P. setiferus, from the Gulf and south Atlantic coasts of the United States was determined. Average annual ex-vessel value per pound, expressed in dollar units based on 1975 and 1977, was used to compare the landings from the two coasts. Regional differences in price structure and size composition of the annual landings played large roles in determining the ex-vessel value of a given weight of landings. The average annual ex-vessel value per pound for brown and white shrimp was higher on the south Atlantic coast than on the Gulf coast. For pink shrimp, the average annual ex-vessel value per pound was lower on the south Atlantic coast than on the Gulf coast.