Shrimp are a beloved seafood, essential for dishes like shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp, and classic shrimp cocktails. But have you ever wondered – where exactly do all these shrimp come from? Shrimp are caught both along coastlines and farther out at sea, using different fishing methods depending on the region and species. This article will explore major shrimp fishing grounds worldwide and how fishermen harvest these tasty crustaceans.
Warm Water Fisheries
The majority of wild shrimp come from warm water fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and tropical regions.
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The Gulf of Mexico supplies over 85% of shrimp in the United States. Key species like white brown pink, and royal red shrimp are abundant in these warm southern waters.
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The Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Florida also produces significant shrimp, with similar species to the Gulf.
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In the tropics, major fisheries exist off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. Major species include giant tiger prawns, endeavour prawns, and banana prawns.
Tropical shrimp thrive in shallow, muddy coastal waters. Fishermen use trawl nets dragged behind boats to scoop up large catches. Bycatch is a concern, so turtle excluder devices are mandated. The U.S. industry pioneered sustainable innovations like this.
Cold Water Fisheries
While less common, shrimp are also fished in colder northern waters.
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The Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, and North Sea supply coldwater shrimp like pandalus borealis. Primary harvesters are Norway, Greenland, Iceland, and Canada.
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Cold water shrimp live in deeper offshore waters, so bottom trawls are used. To reduce bycatch, grids allow fish to escape while catching shrimp.
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Colder water and offshore access means smaller day boats are replaced by larger factory trawlers for multi-day trips.
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The cold environment limits populations, so catch levels are carefully managed for sustainability.
Coastal Fisheries
In addition to industrial trawling offshore, traditional small-scale fisheries catch shrimp close to home.
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The Ganges River delta supports thousands of artisanal shrimpers in small wooden boats using handheld nets.
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Mangrove forests are nurseries for shrimp. Fishermen along protected coasts of Indonesia, Brazil, and West Africa catch shrimp on incoming tides using nets.
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Beach seining is used where shallow waters prohibit boats. Fishermen encircle an area with a net, then haul it to shore.
Shrimp Farms
The majority of shrimp today comes not from wild fisheries but farms.
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Global shrimp aquaculture has boomed since the 1980s, especially in Asia and South America. The top producers are India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
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Warm water, high stocking density, and shared water sources make disease a constant threat in shrimp farms. Strict biosecurity is essential.
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Environmental impacts of clearing mangroves and pollution are concerns with poorly managed operations. However, well-run farms can take pressure off overfished wild stocks.
No matter the source, shrimp require pristine waters to thrive, so sustainability is key to the future of these fisheries and farms.
Shrimp Fisheries Outlook
Even with aquaculture’s growth, wild fisheries supply over 55% of the world’s shrimp. But with increasing population and demand, responsible management of both wild catch and farmed shrimp will only become more crucial. When sourcing your shrimp, look for certification labels to support ethical, eco-friendly producers worldwide. Enjoy shrimp, but enjoy it sustainably!
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It takes time and work to catch your own shrimp, but it can be fun and satisfying to bring them home. To catch shrimp in the U. S. you’ll need to obtain a shellfish license and equipment permits from your state’s Department of National Resources. You’ll also need a casting net, shrimp baiting poles, fish bait, and clay. To get the shrimp to come to you, put your net between some baiting poles and add some bait balls. When your nets full of shrimp, gently reel it in while backing up your boat. Instead of a net, you can also leave shrimp pots in the water for around 12 hours. The best places to catch shrimp are ocean shores, rivers, bays, and lakes. It’ll be easier to catch large groups of shrimp if you go when the tide is low. For more tips, including how to make bait balls from fish bait and clay, read on!.
Things You’ll Need
- Cast net. 3/8″ mesh, minimum 4. I recommend no bigger than 8.
- Shoes you dont mind getting filthy
- A bucket with a wide brim or a flat surface that you can clean with water
- cooler with ice
- gloves (optional)
- spotlight for night shrimping (optional)
How Shrimp Are Caught & Processed | From Sea to the Shrimp Processing Factory
Which species of shrimp are found in the Gulf of Mexico?
Warm-water species (mainly Litopenaeus setiferus, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, and Farfantepenaeus duorarum) provide more than 85% of the shrimp fishery in the United States, and are caught in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
Where do shrimp come from?
In the northern parts of the country, cold-water shrimp are targeted, while warm-water species are targeted along the south-eastern Atlantic coast, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the production is of warm-water species, but this is dwarfed by the imports of shrimp, mostly from aquaculture.
What is shrimp fishing?
The shrimp fishery is a major global industry, with more than 3.4 million tons caught per year, chiefly in Asia. Rates of bycatch are unusually high for shrimp fishing, with the capture of sea turtles being especially contentious. A shrimper is a fishing vessel rigged for shrimp fishing.
How do you catch wild shrimp?
Wild shrimp can be caught by a variety of methods, and some are more sustainable than others. The various traps, pots and nets commonly used to catch shrimp in the wild may accidentally also trap other species of marine life which may be worrisome depending on where the fishing takes place.