Distribution of Early Developmental Stages of Pink Shrimp, Penaeus Duorarum, in Florida Waters

Larval stages of pink shrimp were collected by plankton nets from the Tortugas Shelf and Florida Bay off southwest Florida from 1959 to 1962. Protozoeae and myses were distributed on the shelf mainly between the 8- and 30-fathom depth contours. Postlarvae were found both on the shelf and also in the shallower waters of Florida Bay. Older postlarval stages were almost entirely restricted to inshore waters. Pink shrimp spawned throughout the year in this area, but the intensity of spawning in winter was low. Variability of the net catches and vertical migration are discussed, and migration routes of the larvae to inshore areas are hypothesized.