Juvenile pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Burkenroad, 1939): Length composition in three nursery areas in Campeche Sound, Gulf of Mexico

Characteristics of the recruitment of juvenile pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum in three nursery areas in Campeche Sound, southern Gulf of Mexico, were analysed from length-frequency data collected from 1992 through 1995, and from catch-per-unit-effort data from 1994 to 1995. Three juvenile size categories were determined: small (10-39 mm TL), medium (40-49 mm TL), and large (50-130 mm TL). The abundance was higher during the rainy and windy months, and was lower during the dry season, but there were differences in duration of the recruitment season and in the size of the shrimp recruiting to each area. Small juvenile pink shrimp were present all year, which gives evidence of continuous reproduction with different intensities. The 1995 recruitment season was shorter than that in 1994 and showed low abundance. The monthly size composition of juvenile pink shrimp was related to gear selectivity, but true values probably depend on environmental influences on recruitment. The size composition of juvenile F. duorarum can change by zone or season.