Trends in composition of the Texas commercial shrimp fleet

Date

1987

Authors

Crowe, A.L.
Bryan, C.E. III

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

A description of the Texas commercial shrimp fleet was developed to determine trends in numbers, size, license classes and home port distribution during the period 1979-1985. The number of commercial shrimp boats increased only 1% while the number of boats holding multiple shrimp boat licenses increased 35% between 1979-1985. The number of licensed shrimp boats increased from 6889 in 1979 to 7333 in 1983 then decreased to 6959 in 1985. The largest decrease (768 boats) during 1979-1985 was in part-time commercial bay boats (</= 7.6 m). Out-of-state boats increased from 294 in 1979 to 688 in 1985 with the greatest increase in commercial gulf vessels (>/= 16.8 m). Part-time commercial bay boats were most numerous in the Beaumont-Nederland, Houston-Pasadena-Baytown, Seabrook-Kemah-San Leon-Texas City and Corpus Christi areas. Commercial bay boats (> 7.6 m-16.8 m) were most numerous in the Seabrook-Kemah-San Leon-Texas City, Galveston, Palacios-Port Lavaca-Port O'Connor and Corpus Christi areas. Commercial Gulf vessels were most numerous in the Port Arthur-Sabine Pass, Galveston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville areas.

Description

14 pgs.

Keywords

shrimp fisheries, licensing, boats, shrimpers, commercial fishing, fisheries, distribution

Citation