FORECAST FOR THE 2010 BROWN SHRIMP SEASON IN THE WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO, FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE U.S. - MEXICO BORDER
Summary
The 2010 indices of juvenile shrimp abundance and catch are mixed. We predict a below average harvest for the western Gulf of Mexico during the July 2010 - June 2011 season. However, environmental factors (notably salinity, tidal height in marshes and temperature) are very favorable for continued recruitment and stock growth. Thus far, shrimping effort is down, but shrimp are abundant. Our prediction may be an underestimate and the outcome will greatly depend on the magnitude of fishing effort for the rest of the year. If you would like more information regarding this forecast, or for other marine fishery information, please contact us at xxx-xxx-xxxx, or visit our web site at <http://xxxxxxxxx.xxx.nxxx.gov/>.