Brown Shrimp

Also Known As

Brownies, Green lake shrimp, Red shrimp, Redtail shrimp, Golden shrimp, Native shrimp, Summer shrimp

Quick Facts

Region

New England/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast

About the Species

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

Population

Above target population levels.

Fishing Rate

At recommended levels.

Habitat Impacts

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

Bycatch

Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

Population Status

There are two stocks of brown shrimp: Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. According to the most recent stock assessments:
- The Gulf of Mexico 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.

Appearance

Brown shrimp are crustaceans with 10 slender, relatively long walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs located on the front surface of the abdomen.
They are grooved on the back surface of the shell and have a well-developed, toothed rostrum (part of their shell) that extends to or beyond the outer edge of the eyes.
The tails of brown shrimp usually have a purple to reddish purple band and green or red pigmentation.

Biology

Brown shrimp’s growth depends on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and they can reach up to 7 inches in length.
They have a short life span, usually less than two years.
Brown shrimp are able to reproduce when they reach about 5 ½ inches long.
They spawn in relatively deep water.
Females typically release about 500,000 to 1 million eggs near the ocean floor.
Peak spawning is in spring and summer, with newly hatched shrimp entering estuaries in February and March to settle in their nursery habitat.
Brown shrimp larvae feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
Juvenile and adult shrimp feed on the bottom at night. They are omnivorous, and feed on worms, algae, microscopic animals, and various types of organic debris.
Sheepshead minnows, water boatmen, and insect larvae eat postlarval shrimp.
Grass shrimp, killifishes, and blue crabs prey on young shrimp.
A wide variety of finfish feed heavily on juvenile and adult shrimp.

Where They Live

Brown shrimp are found in the western north Atlantic from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast to northwestern Yucatan in Mexico.

Fishery Management

NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils manage the brown shrimp fishery, and state resource management agencies are responsible for inshore state waters.

In the South Atlantic, managed under the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Region:
- Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters.
- Trip reports must be submitted for each fishing trip.
- Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear.

In the Gulf of Mexico, managed under the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery Management Plan:
- Permits are required to harvest shrimp in federal waters. Currently no new permits are being issued to prevent an increase in the number of boats participating in the fishery.
- Electronic logbooks must be installed and selected fishermen must submit trip reports for each fishing trip.
- Observers must be carried aboard vessels if selected, to collect data on the catch, bycatch, fishing effort, and fishing gear.
- Each year all shrimping in federal waters off Texas is closed from approximately mid-May to mid-July.