A positive relationship is demonstrated for 27 locations between commercial yields of penaeid shrimp per area intertidal vegetation and latitude which can be described by the formula y = 158.7e−0.070(x) where y is kilograms/hectare and x is degrees latitude between 0 ° and 35 °. The latitudinal gradient grossly parallels a gradient of heating‐degree‐days and is twice the slope of the probable rates of litterfall frown estuarine macrophytes. On a regional basis, the yields inshore are directly related to the area of estuarine vegetation whereas they are not correlated with the area, average depth, or volume of estuarine water. A short example is given to illustrate the utility of this analysis for the selection of alternative land‐use decisions.