Mark-recapture studies of penaeid shrimp in Texas, 1978-1979

As a part of the MEXUS-GULF Shrimp Tagging Program in the western Gulf of Mexico, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and National Marine Fisheries Service conducted 10 mark-recapture studies to determine movement and growth of penaeid shrimp stocks along the Texas coast. All shrimp were tagged with colored polyethylene streamer tags and released in either inshore or offshore areas near Port Aransas, Port Mansfield, or Port Isabel. From May 1978-Oct. 1979, 77,843 shrimp were released, 559 have been recaptured. The recapture rates for inshore studies were 0.0-0.2% while those of offshore studies were 6.7-10.0%. Most of the recovered shrimp had moved less than 37 km and were recaptured within 28 days. Short-term recoveries come from all directions with dominant movement alongshore to the northeast and south. All long-term recoveries from the offshore studies came from the south. Growth rates for individual shrimp were highly variable. During August-October 1978 recaptured shrimp had a mean growth rate of 5-6mm (tail length) per 2-week period. After an initial period of slow growth following inshore releases in April-May 1979, the overall population growth rate was 6-9mm (tail length) per 2-week period from late May through July 1979.