Abstract
Penaeid shrimp support valuable fisheries in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and shrimp productivity has been linked to coastal salt marshes. Continuing wetland loss in Galveston Bay, Texas (USA) has led to the development of various salt marsh restoration projects. These constructed wetlands often attempt to mimic natural marsh landscape characteristics within the region and incorporate marsh edge, because marsh edge appears important for fishery production. We estimated the value of shrimp production from nine of these constructed wetlands for comparison with project construction costs that ranged between $9,555 and $45,311 ha−1 (2007 U.S.) Overall annual shrimp production attributable to the constructed wetlands ranged from 228 to 318 kg ha−1. After adjusting for natural mortality and production expected from open water replaced by marsh, the constructed marshes contributed an enhanced annual shrimp production between 90 and 146 kg ha−1. The annual value of this shrimp production from the nine wetlands ranged from $425 to $690 ha−1, based on the ex-vessel price of shrimp harvested in Galveston Bay. In relation to construction costs, shrimp production was higher for marsh terracing projects and small marsh islands built with nearby sediment than for marsh islands built with dredged sand.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call