Biological Review of the Tortugas Pink Shrimp Fishery 1960 through 2007

摘要

This document outlines the commercial catch history of the Florida Tortugas grounds pink shrimp fishery, summarizing records dating from 1960 through 2007. These fishing grounds are habitats located off of the western coast of the state of Florida and consist of a small group of islands and reefs around which are habitats favorable for pink shrimp survival and conducive to commercial fishing operations. This fishery has been studied extensively after the discovery of commercially harvestable populations of pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) in the late 1940s. Subsequent to this discovery, during the 1950s concerns over the potential for overfishing were expressed by Florida researchers as well as legislatures. These concerns were mitigated in part by the establishment of sanctuary habitats which were set aside and closed to fishing for specified periods, thus allowing for not only the protection of pink shrimp stocks, but also increased fishery production upon resumption of fishing operations.