The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting the harvest of brown shrimp in the western Gulf of Mexico to be 44.2 million pounds. The predicted value is well above the value for the last two years but still remains below the historical 56-year average of 56.2 million pounds. The NOAA's predictions cover July 2017 to June 2018 in Louisiana and Texas state and federal waters.
The NOAA states that the 2017 Environmental Model is showing favorable conditions in the bay system and is predicting above average production for Texas offshore waters. Along with the mild winter and record high spring temperatures experienced by both Louisiana and Texas, NOAA has stated that available nursery areas have increased providing greater distribution of juvenile brown shrimp.
Scientist, according to NOAA, make their annual brown shrimp predictions based on juvenile shrimp monitoring. Predictions are made for state and federal waters off Louisiana from west of the Mississippi River to the Texas Louisiana border. The prediction for the Louisiana season is 21.7 million pounds. Texas is predicted to have 22.5 million pounds.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: KATC
