Factors influencing recapture patterns of tagged penaeid shrimp in the western Gulf of Mexico

Movements of brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus , and pink shrimp, P. duorarum , off the adjacent states of Texas (USA) and Tamaulipas (Mexico) in the western Gulf of Mexico were examined by releasing tagged shrimp within 150 km of each side of the border during May-July 1986. Analysis of recaptures during June-August 1986 indicated that species and release location (state) significantly influenced recapture patterns. Distances travelled prior to recapture, days at large, and movement speeds were greater for shrimp released off Tamaulipas than for shrimp released off Texas. Brown shrimp were recaptured in deeper waters than pink shrimp even though all releases were made at the same depth. Within each species, shrimp released off Tamaulipas were recaptured in deeper waters than shrimp from Texas releases.