Slipper lobster (Crustacea, Decapoda, Scyllaridae) fisheries off the southeastern coast of Brazil: I. Exploitation patterns between 23 degrees 00 ` and 29 degrees 65 ` S

In southeastern Brazil, slipper lobsters (Scyllarides deceptor and S. brasiliensis) are caught by fleets trawling for pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and F. paulensis) and pots-and-traps fishing for octopuses (Octopus vulgaris). Eight hundred fifty-six landings of shrimp trawlers and 28 of the octopus fleet were monitored in the Santos region from May 2006 to April 2007. Additional analysis was performed using a database covering the period from 1999 onwards. This study seeks to identify the recent patterns of exploitation of these lobsters with the goal of improving the way towards fishery sustainability. Scyllarides deceptor was the dominant lobster species with 1032 specimens collected, while only three specimens of S. brasiliensis were identified. The area known as the `Farol do Boi` (23 degrees 01`S, 45 degrees 00`W to 25 degrees 00`S, 45 degrees 40`W at 60-135 m deep) showed the highest Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE). A General Linearized Model (GLM) was used to investigate the factors influencing variations in CPUE in trawl fleets and led to the conclusion that year, month and depth were the most important factors. We detected a significant decrease in the relative abundance of lobsters in the fishing zone despite relatively low fishing effort. Recommendations to protect the lobster resources include taking special precautions in the natural refuge area of the `Farol do Boi`, as an exclusion zone for trawl fleets, and controlling the use of traps longlines to catch octopuses. Concerns about depensatory processes due to the over-exploitation of lobster populations around the world are raised. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abundância e distribuição sazonal de espécies autóctones de camarões peneídeos no canal de abastecimento do sistema primar de aquicultura orgânica (Laguna de Guaraíras, Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil)

Guaraíras lagoon, located in Tibau do Sul in the eastern littoral of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), presents a permanent connection to the sea, which guarantees the occurrence of a rich biodiversity, which includes the autochthonous shrimp species Litopenaeus schmitti, Farfantepenaeus subtilis and Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. In spite of being subject to a strong human intervention in the last decade, mainly related to the installation of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms, the lagoon is still scarcely studied. The present study aims at characterizing the populations of the three autochthonous penaeid shrimp species inhabiting Guaraíras, taking into consideration their abundance and seasonal distribution in the inflow channel of Primar System of Organic Aquaculture (Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). Twelve monthly samples were carried out from May 2005 to April 2006 with the aid of a circular cast net in the inflow channel, which is daily supplied with water from Guaraíras. Sampling months were grouped in trimesters according to the total pluviosity, thus comprising four trimesters. Water salinity was monitored twice a week and temperature values registered on a daily basis at noon, during the study period. The daily pluviosity data from the municipality of Tibau do Sul were supplied by Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte (EMPARN). Collected shrimp were identified, weighted, measured and sexed. L. schmitti specimens (0.2 g to 17.8 g) were distributed in 1.3 g weight classes intervals. From the eighth sampling month (December 2005) onwards, males were classified into three categories, in accordance with the development of their petasm: (a) rudimentary petasm, (b) partially formed petasm, and (c) completely formed petasm. Among the ecological variables, rainfall showed the greatest dispersion (s.d.=187.74Rainfall and abundance of L. schmitti were negatively correlated (r = -0.85) whereas its abundance and water salinity were positively correlated (r = 0.63). Among 1,144 collected individuals, 1,127 were L. schmitti, 13 were F. subtilis and 4 were F. brasiliensis, which corresponded to 98.51%, 1.14% and 0.35% of the total of collected individuals. L. schmitti occurred in 100 % of all samples. Differently, the presence of F. subtilis and F. brasiliensis was restricted to 33% and 17% of the collected samples, respectively. The present study confirmed the occurrence of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis in Guaraíras. However, this lagoon seems to be primarily inhabited by juvenile Litopenaeus schmitti. The population of L. schmitti analysed showed a seasonal pattern of distribution. In general, in the months of high salinity and absence of rain, the number of individuals was higher than in the wet months. Further studies on the reproductive biology and ecology of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis may elucidate questions referring to the abundance, period, and phase of occurrence of these shrimp genera in Guaraíras. Finally, the risks associated to the establishment of L. vannamei in the lagoon provide a novel outlet for studies in this biotope

Abundância e distribuição sazonal de espécies autóctones de camarões peneídeos no canal de abastecimento do sistema primar de aquicultura orgânica (Laguna de Guaraíras, Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil)

Guaraíras lagoon, located in Tibau do Sul in the eastern littoral of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), presents a permanent connection to the sea, which guarantees the occurrence of a rich biodiversity, which includes the autochthonous shrimp species Litopenaeus schmitti, Farfantepenaeus subtilis and Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. In spite of being subject to a strong human intervention in the last decade, mainly related to the installation of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms, the lagoon is still scarcely studied. The present study aims at characterizing the populations of the three autochthonous penaeid shrimp species inhabiting Guaraíras, taking into consideration their abundance and seasonal distribution in the inflow channel of Primar System of Organic Aquaculture (Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). Twelve monthly samples were carried out from May 2005 to April 2006 with the aid of a circular cast net in the inflow channel, which is daily supplied with water from Guaraíras. Sampling months were grouped in trimesters according to the total pluviosity, thus comprising four trimesters. Water salinity was monitored twice a week and temperature values registered on a daily basis at noon, during the study period. The daily pluviosity data from the municipality of Tibau do Sul were supplied by Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte (EMPARN). Collected shrimp were identified, weighted, measured and sexed. L. schmitti specimens (0.2 g to 17.8 g) were distributed in 1.3 g weight classes intervals. From the eighth sampling month (December 2005) onwards, males were classified into three categories, in accordance with the development of their petasm: (a) rudimentary petasm, (b) partially formed petasm, and (c) completely formed petasm. Among the ecological variables, rainfall showed the greatest dispersion (s.d.=187.74Rainfall and abundance of L. schmitti were negatively correlated (r = -0.85) whereas its abundance and water salinity were positively correlated (r = 0.63). Among 1,144 collected individuals, 1,127 were L. schmitti, 13 were F. subtilis and 4 were F. brasiliensis, which corresponded to 98.51%, 1.14% and 0.35% of the total of collected individuals. L. schmitti occurred in 100 % of all samples. Differently, the presence of F. subtilis and F. brasiliensis was restricted to 33% and 17% of the collected samples, respectively. The present study confirmed the occurrence of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis in Guaraíras. However, this lagoon seems to be primarily inhabited by juvenile Litopenaeus schmitti. The population of L. schmitti analysed showed a seasonal pattern of distribution. In general, in the months of high salinity and absence of rain, the number of individuals was higher than in the wet months. Further studies on the reproductive biology and ecology of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis may elucidate questions referring to the abundance, period, and phase of occurrence of these shrimp genera in Guaraíras. Finally, the risks associated to the establishment of L. vannamei in the lagoon provide a novel outlet for studies in this biotope

Delectus florae et faunae brasiliensis : jussu et auspiciis Francisci I. Austriae Imperatoris investigatae

Delectus Florae et faunae brasiliensis é uma obra ricamente ilustrada, que contém vinte e quatro lâminas com cinquenta e quatro figuras representando espécies da flora e da fauna brasileira. A obra, publicada em Viena, foi realizada sob os auspícios do Imperador Francisco I da Áustria, configurando uma parte dos resultados da expedição científica ao Brasil de que o autor participou.

Análise de metais tóxicos em Sardinella brasiliensis (sardinha) no canal Sernambetiba da Lagoa da Tijuca (Rio de Janeiro/RJ)

Elementos-traço, de fontes naturais ou antropogênicas, são despejados continuamente nos rios, fato que acarreta sérios problemas, devido a sua toxicidade, longa persistência, bioacumulação e biomagnificação na cadeia alimentar. O sistema lagunar Tijuca-Jacarepaguá-Marapendi recebe um enorme aporte de nutrientes e poluentes devido aos impactos antrópicos em seus rios. Este estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar os níveis de cobre, zinco, chumbo e alumínio em músculo e víscera na espécie Sardinella brasiliensis (sardinha), que habita a saída do Canal de Sernambetiba, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Ao total foram analisados 44 indivíduos. O cobre em músculo apresentou uma concentração média de 0,5 0,66 mg/Kg e de 1,3 10,13 mg/Kg em víscera. Os valores de zinco em músculo e víscera foram de 5,2 3,69 mg/Kg e 25,6 48,16 mg/Kg, respectivamente. A concentração de chumbo foi de 2,48 3,09 mg/Kg (músculo) e 25,6 48,16 mg/Kg (víscera), enquanto a concentração de alumínio variou de 1,68 3,67 mg/Kg em músculo e 28,72 26,99 mg/Kg em víscera. Dentre as amostras, 56,8% apresentaram valores acima do limite estabelecido para consumo humano pela legislação brasileira para chumbo. Os elementos-traço apresentaram tendências de acumulação diferentes de acordo com o local (músculo ou víscera). As concentrações dos metais em músculo foram menores do que em vísceras. Os valores encontrados devem servir de alerta para uma contaminação da população de Sardinella brasiliensis que habita a saída do canal de Sernambetiba. Concluiu-se que a concentração de chumbo nos peixes encontrados estão acima dos limites permitidos para o consumo humano, e que a região encontra-se impactada

Avaliação do potencial antimalárico de Norantea brasiliensis Choisy (Marcgraviaceae) cultivada in vitro e in vivo

A malária é uma doença infecciosa causada por protozoários do gênero Plasmodium, transmitidos ao homem, principalmente, através da picada do mosquito infectado. O tratamento é realizado por meio do uso de drogas, como a cloroquina, uma vez que não há vacina eficiente contra a doença. Porém, a resistência dos parasitos aos medicamentos tem levado à busca por novas substâncias com atividade antimalárica, inclusive de origem vegetal. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a atividade antimalárica de extratos metanólicos de Norantea brasiliensis cultivada sob condições in vivo e in vitro, espécie nativa ocorrente em restingas, com potencial medicinal já comprovado para várias atividades. Foram desenvolvidos protocolos de calogênese e cultura de raízes da espécie visando à definição de um sistema de produção de metabólitos. Para a cultura in vitro, explantes foram inoculados em meio líquido e sólido contendo diferentes fitorreguladores e concentrações. A partir da cultura de tecidos, foram testados extratos do material produzido biotecnologicamente para comparação com o material botânico cultivado no campo. Os testes sobre o potencial antimalárico foram realizados in vivo, utilizando-se camundongos infectados pelo Plasmodium berghei ANKA, e in vitro utilizando o Plasmodium falciparum. Em seguida foram administrados a cloroquina e os extratos vegetais. A parasitemia foi observada seguindo os protocolos já estabelecidos pelo Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC). Resultados mostraram que explantes foliares e caulinares de plantas germinadas in vitro, inoculados em meio sólido B5 suplementado com 2,0 mg.mL-1 de ANA, são as melhores fontes para a produção de raízes, apresentando maiores valores de peso fresco e peso seco, mostrando-se um sistema promissor para a produção in vitro de metabólitos da espécie. A avaliação da atividade antimalárica in vivo revelou seu potencial a partir de extrato de raízes de planta cultivada in vivo, na concentração de 50 mg/kg apresentando redução significativa da parasitemia quando comparada com o controle não tratado. Paralelamente, nos testes in vitro a concentração de 100 μg/kg do extrato de raízes de planta cultivada in vivo apresentou diferença significativa quando comparada com as outras concentrações testadas e o controle negativo. Além disso, há uma tendência de aumento do efeito inibitório conforme o aumento da concentração do extrato. Os resultados indicam o potencial de atividade antimalárica em raízes de N. brasiliensis, sendo este estudo o primeiro realizado para a espécie

Mississippi River sustenance of brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) in Louisiana coastal waters

Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) are abundant along the Louisiana coast, a coastline that is heavily influenced by one of the world’s largest rivers, the Mississippi River. Stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur (CNS) isotopes of shrimp and their proventriculus (stomach) contents were assayed to trace riverine support of estuarine-dependent brown shrimp. Extensive inshore and of fshore collections were made in the Louisiana coastal zone during 1999–2006 to document shrimp movement patterns across the bay and shelf region. Results showed an unexpectedly strong role for nursery areas in the river delta in supporting the offshore fishery, with about 46% of immigrants to offshore regions arriving from riverine marshes. Strong river influences also were evident offshore, where cluster analysis of combined CNS isotope data showed three regional station groups related to river inputs. Two nearer-river mid-shelf station groups showed isotope values indicating river fertilization and productivity responses in the benthic shrimp food web, and a deeper offshore station group to the south and west showed much less river inf luence. At several mid-shelf stations where hypoxia is common, shrimp were anomalously 15N depleted versus their diets, and this d15N difference or mismatch may be useful in monitoring shrimp movement responses to hypoxia.

Variability in supply and cross-shelf transport of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum) postlarvae into western Florida Bay

The variability in the supply of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum) postlarvae and the transport mechanisms of planktonic stages were investigated with field data and simulations of transport. Postlarvae entering the nursery grounds of Florida Bay were collected for three consecutive years at channels that connect the Bay with the Gulf of Mexico, and in channels of the Middle Florida Keys that connect the southeastern margin of the Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. The influx of postlarvae in the Middle Florida Keys was low in magnitude and varied seasonally and among years. In contrast, the greater postlarval influx occurred at the northwestern border of the Bay, where there was a strong seasonal pattern with peaks in influx from July through September each year. Planktonic stages need to travel up to 150 km eastward between spawning grounds (northeast of Dry Tortugas) and nursery grounds (western Florida Bay) in about 30 days, the estimated time of planktonic development for this species. A Lagrangian trajectory model was developed to estimate the drift of planktonic stages across the SW Florida shelf. The model simulated the maximal distance traveled by planktonic stages under various assumptions of behavior. Simulation results indicated that larvae traveling with the instantaneous current and exhibiting a diel behavior travel up to 65 km and 75% of the larvae travel only 30 km. However, the eastward distance traveled increased substantially when a larval response to tides was added to the behavioral variable (distance increased to 200 km and 85% of larvae traveled 150 km). The question is, when during larval development, and where on the shallow SW Florida shelf, does the tidal response become incorporated into the behavior of pink shrimp.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico Pink Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, Fishery: 50 Years of Commercial Catch Statistics

U.S. Gulf of Mexico, pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, catch statistics have been collected by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, or its predecessor agency, for over 50 years. Recent events, including hurricanes and oil spills within the ecosystem of the fishery, have shown that documentation of these catch data is of primary importance. Fishing effort for this stock has fluctuated over the 50-year period analyzed, ranging from 3,376 to 31,900 days fished, with the most recent years on record, 2008 and 2009, exhibiting declines up to 90% relative to the high levels recorded in the mid 1990’s. Our quantification of F. duorarum landings and catch rates (CPUE) indicates catch have been below the long-term average of about 12 million lb for all of the last 10 years on record. In contrast to catch and effort, catch rates have increased in recent years, with record CPUE levels measured in 2008 and 2009, of 1,340 and 1,144 lb per day fished, respectively. Our regression results revealed catch was dependent upon fishing effort (F=98.48df=1, 48, p<0.001, r2=0.67), (Catch=1,623,378 + (520) × (effort)). High CPUE’s measured indicate stocks were not in decline prior to 2009, despite the decline in catch. The decrease in catch is attributed in large part to low effort levels caused by economical and not biological or habitat related conditions. Future stock assessments using these baseline data will provide further insights and management advice concerning the Gulf of Mexic

Simulation of Tail Weight Distributions in Biological Year 1986–2006 Landings of Brown Shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the Northern Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Size distribution within re- ported landings is an important aspect of northern Gulf of Mexico penaeid shrimp stock assessments. It reflects shrimp population characteristics such as numerical abundance of various sizes, age structure, and vital rates (e.g. recruitment, growth, and mortality), as well as effects of fishing, fishing power, fishing practices, sampling, size-grading, etc. The usual measure of shrimp size in archived landings data is count (C) the number of shrimp tails (abdomen or edible portion) per pound (0.4536 kg). Shrimp are marketed and landings reported in pounds within tail count categories. Statistically, these count categories are count class intervals or bins with upper and lower limits expressed in C. Count categories vary in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence within the landings. The upper and lower limits of most count class intervals can be transformed to lower and upper limits (respectively) of class intervals expressed in pounds per shrimp tail, w, the reciprocal of C (i.e. w = 1/C). Age based stock assessments have relied on various algorithms to estimate numbers of shrimp from pounds landed within count categories. These algorithms required un- derlying explicit or implicit assumptions about the distribution of C or w. However, no attempts were made to assess the actual distribution of C or w. Therefore, validity of the algorithms and assumptions could not be determined. When different algorithms were applied to landings within the same size categories, they produced different estimates of numbers of shrimp. This paper demonstrates a method of simulating the distribution of w in reported biological year landings of shrimp. We used, as examples, landings of brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, from the northern Gulf of Mexico fishery in biological years 1986–2006. Brown shrimp biological year, Ti, is defined as beginning on 1 May of the same calendar year as Ti and ending on 30 April of the next calendar year, where subscript i is the place marker for biological year. Biological year landings encompass most if not all of the brown shrimp life cycle and life span. Simulated distributions of w reflect all factors influencing sizes of brown shrimp in the landings within a given biological year. Our method does not require a priori assumptions about the parent distributions of w or C, and it takes into account the variability in width, overlap, and frequency of occurrence of count categories within the landings. Simulated biological year distributions of w can be transformed to equivalent distributions of C. Our method may be useful in future testing of previously applied algorithms and development of new estimators based on statistical estimation theory and the underlying distribution of w or C. We also examine some applications of biological year distributions of w, and additional variables derived from them.

Determinação de cádmio e chumbo em peixes da espécie geophagus brasiliensis, no rio Paraíba do Sul, entre os municípios de Barra Mansa e Pinheiral

Sabendo que os peixes são bioacumuladores de contaminantes do ambiente aquático e com isso representam riscos para seus consumidores, podendo ampliar tal poluentes para a cadeia trófica, este estudo tem por objetivo determinar os níveis de cádmio e chumbo presentes na espécie de peixe Acará (Geophagus brasiliensis), tradicional do consumo da população ribeirinha, devido a grande quantidade de indivíduos na região industrial do Sul Fluminense, no rio Paraíba do Sul, do estado do Rio Janeiro, além de comparar as faixas de concentração destes elementos-traço com dados estabelecidos pela ANVISA, utilizando estes peixes como bioindicadores das regiões estudadas. Os peixes foram capturados ao longo do rio Paraíba do Sul, nos municípios de Pinheiral, Barra Mansa e Volta Redonda. A identificação e quantificação dos metaisforam realizados, por um sistema de pré-concentração, baseado na adsorção de metais por uma resina quelante (chelex100) acoplada em linhacom um espectrômetro de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS). O método de pré-concentração permitiu a detecção de cádmio em níveis maiores que ao limite de detecção do FAAS e quando comparados com os valores estabelecidos pela ANVISA, indicou que o peixe estaria impróprio para o consumo humano. Nas análises de pré-concentração para chumbo, não houve sinal expressivo a ser comparado, apresentando somente sinais de ruído do equipamento. O cádmio e o chumbo foram escolhidos para análise uma vez que são regulamentados como contaminantes inorgânicos pela ANVISA e não foi encontrado na literatura nenhum dado sobre esses metais em Geophagus brasiliensis

Avaliação da eficácia de uma nova formulação de anfotericina B poliagregada em diferentes esquemas terapêuticos no tratamento da esporotricose experimental causada por Sporothrix brasiliensis

A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea, crônica, causada por espécies termo-dimórficas do complexo Sporothrix schenckii. Esta micose apresenta diferentes manifestações clínicas sendo mais comum a forma linfocutânea. Casos graves causados por Sporothrix brasiliensis têm sido descritos recentemente, exigindo um tratamento prolongado com antifúngicos de alta toxicidade como a anfotericina B-desoxicolato ou suas versões menos tóxicas, mas de alto custo. Neste trabalho visamos testar in vitro e in vivo a eficácia de uma nova formulação intravenosa de anfotericina B poliagregada (P-AmB) e testar in vivo sua versão semi-sólida (AmB tópica), comparando-a com o itraconazol (ITC) e a anfotericina B-desoxicolato (D-AmB). Ensaios de susceptibilidade in vitro com S. brasiliensis mostraram que esta espécie é suscetível aos antifúngicos testados. Para os testes de eficácia in vivo foram estabelecidos um modelo de esporotricose disseminada e outro de esporotricose subcutânea, causados por S. brasiliensis. No modelo de esporotricose disseminada camundongos BALB/c foram inoculados intravenosamente com leveduras de S. brasiliensis e, 72 h pós-infecção, tratados sob diferentes regimes terapêuticos: i) uma monoterapia de ITC, D-AmB ou P-AmB; ii) uma combinação terapêutica entre D-AmB e ITC ou P-AmB e ITC; iii) um regime de pulso com D-AmB ou P-AmB. A sobrevivência (n= nove) e a carga fúngica em órgãos internos (n= três, no mínimo) foram avaliadas, sendo observado que o regime de pulso com D-AmB ou P-AmB foi o mais efetivo em prolongar a sobrevivência dos animais e reduzir a carga fúngica nos órgãos, seguido pela combinação terapêutica, porém o tratamento com D-AmB e ITC foi a combinação mais efetiva. A monoterapia com ITC e P-AmB e D-AmB foram menos eficazes, sendo corroborados pelas análises histopatológicas. Ensaios de toxicidade in vivo com as diferentes drogas revelaram que ITC e D-AmB induziram a uma toxicidade hepática e renal nos animais, respectivamente, mas P-AmB não induziu a nenhuma toxicidade. Nos ensaios de citoxicidade in vitro foi observado que ITC foi a menos citotóxica e hemolítica e a mais seletiva das drogas testadas, seguida por P-AmB, que foi menos citotóxica e mais seletiva que D-AmB. No modelo de esporotricose subcutânea camundongos da mesma linhagem foram inoculados por via subcutânea com conídios de S. schenckii e de S. brasiliensis (n=9/ grupo). Os animais infectados com S. brasiliensis apresentaram regressão das lesões primárias e disseminação. Usando o modelo de esporotricose subcutânea murina causada por S. brasiliensis testamos peliminarmente a formulação tópica de AmB poliagregada, que reduziu a extensão das lesões de animais infectados. Este é o primeiro trabalho a avaliar diferentes regimes de tratamento da esporotricose disseminada murina causada por S. brasiliensis utilizando ITC, D-AmB e uma nova formulação menos tóxica de anfotericina B poliagregada. O estudo revelou que o regime de pulso foi o mais eficaz para as formulações intravenosas de AmB. Nosso estudo também estabeleceu pioneiramente um modelo de esporotricose subcutânea induzido por S. brasiliensis, que se revelou uma ferramenta útil para comparar a virulência das espécies do complexo S. schenckii e para testar a eficácia de antifúngicos contra essas novas espécies.

Biscayne Bay commercial pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum, fisheries, 1986-2005

The Biscayne Bay bait (1986–2005) and food (1989–2005) fisheries for pink shrimp were examined using dealer-reported individual vessel-trip landings data, separated by waterbody code to represent only catches from Biscayne Bay. Annual landings varied little during the 1980’s and early 1990’s, and landings of the bait shrimp fishery exceeded those of the food shrimp fishery. The number of trips and landings in both fisheries increased from the late 1990’s through 2002 and food shrimp landings exceeded landings of bait shrimp; landings in both fisheries decreased sharply in 2003. Landings in both fisheries increased in 2004 and 2005, but the increase in food shrimp landings was stronger. Annual catch per trip was much lower in the bait fishery than the food fishery. Each fishery exploited shrimp of a different size. The bait fishery targeted shrimp less than 19 mm carapace length (CL), whereas the food fishery caught shrimp greater than 19 mm CL. We compared monthly bait shrimp catch per unit of effort (CPUE) from the fishery to an estimate of shrimp density from a fishery-independent sampling effort over a 3-yr period and found a strong statistical relationship with the density estimate lagged by 3 mo. The relationship supported the use of bait shrimp fishery CPUE as an index of abundance in upcoming assessments of the effect of a massive water-management-based ecosystem restoration project on pink shrimp in Biscayne Bay. Project implementation will affect freshwater inflows to the bay and salinity patterns. An abundance index with a lengthy pre-implementation history that can be carried into the operational phase of the restoration project will be invaluable in assessing project effects and protecting an important fishery resource of Biscayne Bay. The bait shrimp fishery can provide a continuing index of shrimp abundance from late 1986 forward.