Trends in relative abundance of selected shellfishes and finfishes along the Texas Coast: January 1977-December 1986

Trends in relative abundance and size of brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus), white shrimp (P. setiferus), pink shrimp (P. duorarum), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), and Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Texas marine waters were monitored using a standardized fishery independent sampling program. Bag seines were used along bay shorelines, trawls in bay water >= 1.0 m deep and in the Texas Territorial Sea (gulf water >= 1.8 m deep). Oyster dredges were used to sample in bay reef and non-reef areas. Coastwide brown shrimp catch rates decreased in bag seines and in bay trawls in 1986 following general increases since 1983. Except for 1985, white shrimp catch rates declined in bay trawls during 1982-1986 but doubled in bag seines from 1985. Pink shrimp catch rates increased slightly from 1985 to 1986 in bag seines. Catch rates of blue crabs decreased in bag seines and bay trawls from 1985- 1986. Catch rates of associated finfishes in trawls varied among years. Highest catches of market oysters occurred during January.