Date of Award

8-26-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies

Department

Coastal and Marine Systems Science

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Ryan Rezek

Second Advisor

Erin Burge

Third Advisor

Jordan Massie

Abstract

Long-term dynamics of southeastern U.S. Atlantic commercial shrimp fisheries reflect interacting environmental and socioeconomic processes rather than uniform regional decline. However, integrated, multi-state assessments linking these drivers to fishery-dependent indicators remain limited for the region. This study analyzed over four decades (1980–2023) of confidential fishery-dependent data from coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and northeastern Florida, focusing on the region where white and brown shrimp dominate commercial landings. Segmented regression analysis was used to identify structural shifts in long-term trends of landings, participation, and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), while multiple linear regression models identified seasonal temperature variables associated with interannual variation in shrimp CPUE. Results indicated substantial restructuring of the fishery characterized by declining vessel and dealer participation, spatial redistribution of landings, and divergent species-specific trajectories. White shrimp CPUE exhibited non-linear temporal dynamics and positive associations with seasonal temperature, whereas brown shrimp CPUE exhibited a negative relationship with winter minimum temperature. Reductions in fleet size and fishing effort coincided with increasing CPUE in several states, indicating fleet consolidation, increased harvesting efficiency among remaining participants, and potentially increasing shrimp abundance. Spatial analyses revealed uneven regional persistence, with localized centers of continued commercial harvest alongside broader declines in northern counties. These findings demonstrate that long-term fishery performance reflects interacting environmental and socioeconomic processes that shape regional restructuring of southeastern U.S. Atlantic shrimp fisheries.

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