Gulf Shrimp: Everything You Need to Know About These Sweet Ocean Treasures

Quick Facts Region New England/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast

A white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) harvested during a bottomfish survey in the Gulf of America. Credit: NOAA Teacher at Sea/David Walker.

U.S. wild-caught white shrimp is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

The stocks are not overfished.

Not subject to overfishing.

Gear restrictions, such as a weak-link in the tickler chain, are in place to protect bottom habitat from trawl gear.

Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

• There are two stocks of white shrimp: Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) and South Atlantic. According to the most recent stock assessments:
  • The Gulf of America stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2019). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
  • The South Atlantic stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2018). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.

• White shrimp are crustaceans with 10 slender, relatively long walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs located on the front surface of the abdomen.
• Their bodies are light gray, with green coloration on the tail and a yellow band on part of the abdomen.
• Their carapace is not grooved.
• Part of their shell is a well-developed, toothed rostrum that extends to or beyond the outer edge of the eyes.
• They have longer antennae than other shrimp (2.5 to 3 times longer than their body length).

• White shrimp grow fairly fast, depending on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and can reach up to 7 or 8 inches in length.
• They have a short life span, usually less than 2 years, and are often referred to as an “annual crop.”
• They are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long.
• White shrimp spawn when offshore ocean bottom water temperatures increase, generally from May through September in the Carolinas, and from March through September in the Gulf of America.
• Males mate with females and anchor their sperm to the females. Females release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor, and the eggs are fertilized as they are released.
• Newly hatched shrimp travel to their estuarine nursery habitats in April and early May.
• Shrimp that survive the winter grow rapidly in late winter and early spring before returning to the ocean.
• White shrimp larvae feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
• Juvenile and adult shrimp are omnivorous and feed on the bottom on detritus, plants, microorganisms, macroinvertebrates, and small fish. Cannibalism is also common among adult white shrimp.
• Sheepshead minnows, water boatmen, and insect larvae eat postlarval shrimp, and grass shrimp, killifishes, and blue crabs prey on young shrimp.
• A wide variety of finfish feed heavily on juvenile and adult shrimp.

Kingdom	Animalia	Phylum	Arthropoda	Class	Malacostraca	Order	Decapoda	Family	Penaeidae	Genus	Litopenaeus	Species	setiferus

Are White Shrimp Sustainable?

U.S. wild-caught white shrimp is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Year-round, with peaks in the fall.

U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Texas.

Flavorful and sweet. Large white shrimp don’t develop the slight iodine taste of other large shrimp.

Slightly more tender than other shrimp, and their shells are somewhat softer and easier to peel.

Raw shrimp meat is translucent pink to gray. When cooked, their shells are pinkish-red and their meat is pearly white with pink and red shadings.

Shrimp is low in saturated fat and is a very good source of protein, selenium, and vitamin B12.

Behind the Scenes: The Gulf Coast Shrimp Industry

FAQ

What is the difference between Gulf shrimp and regular shrimp?

Are Gulf shrimp good to eat?

Gulf shrimp are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Just 100 grams of cooked shrimp are estimated to provide about 24 grams of protein and only 2/10 of a gram of carbohydrates. If you’ve been eating a paleo-inspired diet that requires foods with more protein and fewer carbs, shrimp may be your new superfood.

What makes Gulf shrimp special?

Wild Gulf shrimp are known for their: Naturally sweet flavor and firm, juicy texture. Versatility in recipes – from tacos to pastas to classic shrimp cocktail. Sustainable sourcing, supporting American fishermen and reducing reliance on imported, farmed shrimp.

Is Gulf shrimp better than farm raised shrimp?

Gulf shrimp taste delicious, and you can tell a difference in the quality of imported farm-raised shrimp. Because they’re mass-produced and have lower regulation standards, imported shrimp doesn’t have the same taste of the ocean.

What are Gulf shrimp?

Gulf shrimp are a popular type of shrimp harvested from the Gulf of Mexico. These shrimp have become a staple food across the United States thanks to their great taste, texture, and versatility in cooking. But what exactly are Gulf shrimp? And what makes them different from other shrimp varieties?

Are Gulf shrimp a good seafood?

Essentially, Gulf shrimp are fantastic “utility” seafood, but not necessarily superlative in flavor. Running from the Chesapeake Bay down to the waters off Key West, Atlantic coastal shrimp come in common varieties like brown and white, but also Royal Reds, Key West pinks and Florida rock shrimp.

Where do Gulf shrimp live?

Gulf shrimp live in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the coasts of Texas Louisiana Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. There are four main species that are commercially harvested The most common are the white and brown shrimp. These shrimp thrive in the Gulf’s nutrient-rich estuaries and marshes.

Does the Gulf of Mexico produce better shrimp?

The waters from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast produce some of the tastiest and cleanest shrimp in the world, and both are very accessible to everyday customers. But does one body of water produce better shrimp? Do the warm temperatures of the Gulf raise superior shellfish than the relatively cool Atlantic?

Are Gulf shrimp better than Atlantic shrimp?

The verdict: If you can find them, Atlantic coastal shrimp win out on flavor over those from the Gulf. However, if Gulf shrimp are all you can find, they’re definitely better than anything imported. Shrimp are the most widely-consumed seafood in the United States.

What does Gulf shrimp taste like?

Perhaps the most readily available of all domestic shrimp, Gulf shrimp bring an earthier flavor than their Atlantic cousins. According to Georgia shrimper Timmy Stubbs, the taste of the shrimp can be attributed to the naturally warmer waters of the Gulf and tides that only rise between two and three feet.