Shrimp fishery
A shrimp fishery is a fishery directed toward harvesting either shrimp or prawns. Fisheries do not generally distinguish between the two taxa, and the terms are used interchangeably. This article therefore refers to the catching of either shrimp or prawns.
A number of the larger species, including the Atlantic white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), are caught commercially and used for food. Recipes utilizing shrimp form part of the cuisine of many cultures: examples include jambalaya, okonomiyaki, poon choi, bagoong, Kerala and scampi.
Preparing shrimp for consumption usually involves removing the shell, tail, and "sand vein" (a euphemism for digestive tract). As with other seafood, shrimp is high in calcium, protein and low in food energy.
Shrimp and prawns are versatile ingredients, and are often used as an accompaniment to fried rice. Common methods of preparation include baking, boiling and frying. As stated in the movie Forrest Gump:
- "Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. There's, um, shrimp kebabs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There's pineapple shrimp and lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich..."
Catching shrimp
People who catch shrimp are referred to as "shrimpers," and the act of catching shrimp is called "shrimping." Strikers are the crewmen on the boat who set up and strike the nets.
Common methods for catching shrimp in the United States include otter trawls, cast nets, seines, shrimp baiting and dip netting. Trawling involves the use of a system of nets. Since by-catch is often an issue with trawling, conscientious commercial fishing boats use TEDs (Turtle Excluder Device) and BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices). In some parts of the Pacific Northwest, fishing with baited traps is also common.
"Shrimp baiting" is a recreational shrimping technique. It involves using bait patties, which are a time-release bait, typically concocted of at least fish meal and clay, though shrimpers sometimes have a secret concoction for their bait patties. The patties are then put in the water, and one waits for the shrimp to arrive. The fisher then throws a cast net over the shrimp to catch them. These nets are typically anywhere from 4 to 10 feet in length when they are unfurled and have a ring of lead weights around the bottom. A lantern is usually placed over the spot where the bait patties have been set out.
"Dip netting" is another recreational shrimping technique. Its name comes from the traditional tool used to scoop shrimp out of shallow water grass flats by individual shrimpers. While the vast majority of dip netters still use the traditional dip net to catch shrimp, the growth of "sport shrimping" recreational devices like the Ozello Shrimper now enable individuals to harvest shrimp for personal consumption in a competitive fashion with much higher yields than previously possible with dip nets. Much like fishing poles and professional tackle did for the fishing industry, these new devices are bringing shrimp to more dinner tables in shrimp producing regions.
In the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, the shrimp season takes place in the summer months. The timing is generally between late May and early July beginning later and ending earlier the further north along the cost a location is.
See also
Further reading
- The Carolina Watermen by Richard and Barbara Kelly (Blair, 1993)