Whiteleg Shrimp

Common Name:

Whiteleg Shrimp

Scientific Name:

Litopenaeus vannamei

Market Name(s):

Pacific white shrimp

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Sourcing Summary

9 in.

The quality of whiteleg shrimp raised in ponds is typically high because of strict controls and lack of at-sea time. Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) and block-frozen whole shrimp are popular forms of sale for whiteleg shrimp. When deciding between fresh or frozen, the best rule of thumb is to buy frozen unless purchasing the shrimp live or in tanks. The majority of fresh shrimp in display cases are previously defrosted since most of the shrimp were deep frozen and delivered in that state.

It is standard practice for peeled shrimp to be dipped in phosphates to minimize drip loss, which should be stated on the label. If thawed shrimp feels soapy, it has been soaked in phosphate for too long and has absorbed excess water. Avoid shrimp that smells like ammonia, which is a telltale sign of spoilage. Black spots on the head of head-on shrimp is the result of oxidation, which is a good indication that the shrimp is not at its freshest.

Harvest Methods

Wild

Cast Net
Cast Net
Bottom Trawl
Bottom Trawl

Farmed

Contained Recirculating System
Contained Recirculating System
Coastal Ponds
Coastal Ponds
Flow-Through System
Flow-Through System
Raceways and Tanks
Raceways and Tanks
RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System
Ponds

Product Forms

Fresh

  • Tails (shell on)

Frozen

  • Butterflied
  • Cooked
  • Frozen Block
  • Headless
  • Raw (IQF EZ-Peel)
  • Split Fillet
  • Tails (butterflied)
  • Tails (P&D)
  • Whole (raw)
  • Whole Cooked
Fresh Seasonal Availability
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Culinary Composition

Flavor

Mild
Sweet
Strong

Texture

Delicate
Medium
Firm

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition facts

Serving size: 100 Grams
Amount per serving
  • Calories
    106.00
  • Total Fat
    1.70
    g
  • Cholesterol
    152.00
    mg
  • Sodium
    148.00
    mg
  • Protein
    20.30
    g
  • Omega-3
    0.53
    g

Recommended Servings per Month

  • Men
    4
  • Women
    4
  • Kids 6-12
    4+
  • Kids 0-5
    4+

Cooking Methods

Advisory Concern

Biology

Whiteleg shrimp is a benthic warmwater species that can grow up to 9 in (23 cm) in length. Their body is translucent with a blue-green hue due to their pigmented chromatophores, which are pigmented and light-reflecting cells.

Whiteleg shrimp first mature around 6-7 months as males and eventually turn into females. Olfactory and tactile courtship rituals are common for mating behavior. Females can spawn between 100,000-250,000 eggs, and fertilization occurs via indirect sperm transfer. Hatching occurs about 12-16 hours after spawning and fertilization.

Species Habitat

In the wild, whiteleg shrimp are found in subtropical to tropical waters in a range of depths between 0-236 ft (0-72 m) and in a preferred water temperature of 79° F (26° C). They are found in the Pacific Ocean, from Sonora, Mexico to southern Peru. Adults occur in bottom mud marine environments in the open ocean while juveniles favor estuarine environments.

Science & Management:
  • Farmed
    Science: 

    Whiteleg shrimp is also known as Pacific white shrimp. In the US, data availability for its shrimp aquaculture industry is considered good. However, due to the small size of the industry in the US, national reporting on production volumes, exports and imports, and production factors is limited. The US shrimp farming industry is a popular subject of research papers and reports are published every year, with topics ranging from nutrition, diseases, genetic selection, technology, and improved production techniques.

    Management: 

    Whiteleg shrimp is harvested wild by shrimp trawlers, but global wild capture has declined since 1993, dropping from 14,000 tons in 1993 to just 1,100 tons in 1999. Instead, it is one of the most widely cultivated shrimp species in the world due to its ease of cultivation and rapid growth rate. In 2016, global aquaculture production for whiteleg shrimp reached 4,155,826 tons. Whiteleg shrimp is cultivated via several methods: ponds, indoor recirculating tanks, and indoor raceways. Harvest can begin after only 120 days.

    The US farms four million pounds of shrimp per year, which is a very minor amount compared to total global production. In fact, US production has declined annually since its peak in 2003 at 13 million pounds. US shrimp aquaculture principally uses pond production systems with infrequent water exchange in order to reduce downstream effluent impacts.

    In general, in the US, aquaculture operations are regulated at both federal and state levels by multiple agencies, including but not limited to:

    • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    • US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
    • US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    Permitting and operations must adhere to regulations such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act (MSA), USDA’s Aquaculture Act of 1980, the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), etc. in addition to state regulations. US shrimp aquaculture operations are regulated by the USDA’s Aquaculture Act and EPA regulations.

    Whiteleg shrimp are farmed globally, including, but not limited to:

    • North America (United States, Mexico)
    • Central and South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela)
    • Asia (China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia)

    The top six global producers of farmed whiteleg shrimp are: China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Ecuador, and Thailand.

    Since the 1980s, commercial culture in Latin America has been rapidly increasing. Production peaks every 3-4 years during warmer El Niño years and declines with disease outbreaks during colder La Niña years. Most of the countries in Central and South America have strict quarantine laws or bans to prevent importing exotic pathogens with new stocks. Asia has also seen a rapid increase in whiteleg shrimp culture, surpassing giant tiger prawn production by 2004 in China, Taiwan, and Thailand. There are fears of importing exotic diseases, so in other Asian countries such as Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, culture is confined to experimental testing.

    In Latin America, Mexico has a major shrimp farming industry, producing 114,000 tons of farmed whiteleg shrimp from 163,089 acres (66,000 hectares) of ponds in 2007. 90% came from Sonora and Sinaloa, two northwestern states bordering the Gulf of California. Production is rapidly increasing.

    In Asia, whiteleg shrimp is often cultured along with giant tiger prawn. Whiteleg shrimp is a non-native species in Asia. Shrimp aquaculture in India began by farming native species, but disease outbreaks and financial risks created significant barriers. Farming non-native whiteleg shrimp began in 2009 and production has since increased significantly. The introduction of whiteleg shrimp in China also resulted in the same complete shift in production away from the native giant tiger prawn. In Malaysia, introducing whiteleg shrimp was rejected by the government in 2000, but illegal farming still took place. The government eventually made it legal due to disease issues with the native giant tiger prawn. Whiteleg shrimp was also illegally introduced in Vietnam in 2000, but the government reversed the ban in 2008.

    Four different on-growing techniques for whiteleg shrimp are used globally: extensive, semi-intensive, intensive, and super-intensive. Extensive and semi-intensive farms are commonly found in Latin America. Extensive farms are located in tidal areas where there is little to no water pumping or aeration. Hatchery reared stock is used, with shrimp mainly feeding on natural food enhanced with fertilization and a once daily low protein feeding. Semi-intensive farms are also stocked with hatchery-produced seeds. Water is regularly exchanged via pumping with minimal aeration. These shrimp feed on natural foods enhanced with pond fertilization, supplemented with 2-3 times daily feeding.

    Intensive farms are common in Asia and in some Latin American farms trying to increase productivity. The majority of whiteleg shrimp pond systems in Thailand are intensive. They are located in non-tidal areas far from the ocean in cheaper, low salinity areas. Ponds can be drained, dried, and prepared before another stocking. Small earthen ponds are lined to reduce erosion and enhance water quality. Heavy aeration is necessary for water circulation and oxygenation and feeding with artificial diets occurs 4-5 times per day. Finally, research in the US has been focusing on super-intensive farms using raceway systems enclosed in greenhouses without water exchange or discharge. Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) stock is used. These characteristics make the farms biosecure, ecologically friendly, cost-efficient with a small footprint and high-quality shrimp.

    Shrimp aquaculture has garnered public debate and controversy over its effects on the surrounding environment and its sustainability. Issues can include:

    • Destruction of mangrove ecosystems for pond construction
    • “Slash and burn” style use of ponds for only a few years before moving to a new area
    • Salinization of groundwater and agricultural land
    • Pollution of coastal waters from effluent
    • Inefficient use of protein and disruption of marine ecosystems by using marine meal-based feed
    • Biodiversity issues from collecting wild seed and broodstock
    • Introduction of non-native species and pathogens
    • Farm discharge leading to self-pollution in farm areas
    • Social conflicts

    Governments and the shrimp industry are working to mitigate these impacts. Super-intensive farms as a farming technique also avoids the majority of these issues.

Wild
Farmed

Habitat Impacts

In the US, the majority of farms are converted from terrestrial crop farms. Other recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) operations also utilize previously existing buildings. Therefore, sensitive and high-value habitats have not been impacted by shrimp aquaculture. There has been no overall loss of habitat functionality. Shrimp farms are heavily regulated by state and federal agencies, and strong legislation and enforcement prohibits significant habitat impacts.

Historically, especially before the late 1990s, global shrimp farming has been linked to the destruction of ecologically important wetlands such as mangrove forests. For example, in Mexico, the Gulf of California is a high conservation environment because it hosts a large variety of unique habitats. Tropical mangrove forests are located in the lower 2/3 of the Gulf and intertidal habitats occur throughout. 95% of the Gulf’s mangrove-associated lagoons have been developed for shrimp farming. Most farms likely also drain directly into mangrove lagoons. Interactions with these habitats is the subject of global controversy. Some farms however, like those in Honduras, are sited on salt flats behind the mangrove fringe, which causes much less impact.

In Asia, mangrove forests have also been depleted for shrimp aquaculture farms. In Indonesia, the industry is the single largest historic cause of mangrove loss, although this trend is no longer common practice. For instance, in Thailand, shrimp farm siting is controlled and restricted to shrimp aquaculture zones. Mangrove deforestation for aquaculture ponds is illegal, and the government is actively working to reclaim land and restore mangroves in affected areas. However, due to a lack of capacity, enforcement is somewhat limited. Chinese farms have historically been sited in mangroves, mudflats, estuaries, and coastal intertidal areas, but the absence of available coastal areas have caused farmers to rapidly expand to inland agricultural areas since 2008.

Two-thirds of Vietnam’s mangrove forests were converted for aquaculture between 1980 to 2000, and disturbing acid soils during pond construction led to extreme acidification and further mangrove damage. This led to ponds being abandoned and new areas being cleared for more ponds. Vietnam has two predominant production systems for whiteleg shrimp, including integrated shrimp-mangrove pond systems and intensive ponds. The integrated mangrove systems are extensive farming practices with mangrove trees planted in the ponds themselves or on land within the farm boundary. These farms are legally required to maintain 60% mangrove coverage, but there is evidence this is not being enforced. In addition, only a single species is planted rather than multiple species.  

Feed

Commercial shrimp aquaculture in the US uses 25% fishmeal and 6% fish oil, principally from Gulf menhaden. The Fish In: Fish Out (FIFO) ratio is relatively high compared to global shrimp culture. This is a significant net loss of protein (~64%) and requires a total footprint of 36.5 acres (14.74 hectares) of land and ocean area to produce the feed ingredients needed to grow one ton of shrimp.

In general, pond farming in Latin America yields a relatively high (~50%) protein loss, and about 16 acres (6.5 hectares) is required to produce the feed ingredients for one ton of farmed shrimp. Honduras utilizes a feed that yields a smaller feed footprint, with 7% fishmeal and 2% fish oil with a low use of wild fish. Tilapia processing byproducts comprises half of the fishmeal and half of the total protein is from nonedible sources.

In Indonesia, extensive farms rarely use commercial feeds – farmers rely on fertilizers to induce algal blooms as a food source. Intensive farms rely on commercial feeds. On the other hand, Thailand feed uses fishmeal and fish oil made from whole wild fish and byproduct sources. Although the fishmeal inclusion level is a moderate 12% and the fish oil inclusion level is very low at 0.27%, the Thai small mesh trawl fishery used to provide the wild portion of the fishmeal has a history of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. In other countries like India, fishmeal levels are high (25%) with low fish oil levels (1.5%).

Disease, Pathogen and Parasite Interaction

In the US, disease outbreaks are uncommon, which significantly reduces the need for chemical use. “High Health” or specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp sources have helped control disease such as viruses. Best management practices currently mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks within farmed populations and disease transmission to wild populations.

Several types of shrimp disease are problematic in the global shrimp aquaculture industry. Even in RAS systems, disease can be an issue for production. However, there is a low risk of transmission to wild populations due to the limited amount of discharge.

Generally, limited data exists on the current use of chemicals and antibiotics in shrimp farms. Antibiotics are authorized based on country. In certain countries such as Nicaragua, bacterial and viral disease outbreaks have been an issue, causing serious economic challenges for the industry. Instances of severe disease transmission to wild populations has been documented in Mexico.

Overall, aside from Mexico, significant transfer of shrimp diseases to wild populations have not been reported. The spread of shrimp pathogens in Indonesia is persistent due to weak regulatory structures and lax enforcement despite the use of best practices. Intensive whiteleg shrimp culture in Indonesia utilizes widespread antibiotics that has led to resistant strains of bacteria that are highly or critically detrimental to human health. Some antibiotics still being used are banned in both Indonesia and the US. In Thailand, although water exchange is low, pathogen-related infection or mortality can still occur especially if farms do not adequately treat the water after an unplanned, disease-related harvest.

Ineffective regulations have resulted in the ongoing use of antibiotics and antimicrobials by Chinese farms both banned in China and the US. Malaysia’s regulatory monitoring data shows a perfect record of compliance since 2008, but there is some evidence that farms could potentially use World Health Organization (WHO)-listed highly and critically detrimental antimicrobials for human health. Shrimp disease transfer to wild populations in Malaysia have not been reported to have significant impacts. Illegal antibiotic use is also occurring in Vietnam, which could be mainly due to the issue that uninformed farmers can access antibiotics without a prescription.

Escapes and Introduced Species

Coastal outdoor ponds present the greatest risk of farmed shrimp escape. Raised pond dikes and multiple discharge screens are some examples of practices that can mitigate risk; however, escape is still possible. Escaped shrimp can interact with wild populations, but hybridization and deleterious genetic impacts is still considered highly unlikely. Escape of other intentionally introduced species aside from shrimp is null.

In RAS systems, buildings and tanks ensure physical separation from the culture area and natural environment, thus greatly minimizing the risk of escape. Pond systems use mesh screens to prevent escapes, but escapes can still occur, potentially resulting in genetic fitness reduction of the wild population. In Mexico, trawl fishermen regularly catch farmed whiteleg shrimp, although the exact number is unknown, and no evidence exists surrounding spawning disruption of wild shrimp by farmed shrimp. Certain farms prone to flooding in peak rainy seasons or destruction during hurricane systems also significantly raise the risk of escape.

In countries like Indonesia, India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, whiteleg shrimp are a non-native species. Despite introductions from escaped individuals, there is no evidence that they have established themselves in the wild, although they can still present competition for food and space. Escape risk in Thailand is moderately high due to low-lying sites and coastal flooding, but prevention measures such as elevated dike construction, screens, and pre-storm harvesting mitigate the risk.

Effluent

In the US, data shows there is no evidence of adverse effluent impacts from shrimp farms. Best management practices combined with strong federal and state regulations and enforcement further reduce this risk. Any discharge must be equal to or better quality than receiving waters, with effluent requirements individually set for each farm site.

Recirculating aquaculture systems can use a variety of effluent treatments for discharge. Often, freshwater systems will collect solids for fertilizer or compost and will treat soluble waste before discharging. The farms that do capture solids, appropriately dispose of it, and appropriately treat the nutrient waste do not contribute to cumulative ecological impacts.

In contrast, marine systems often discharge directly into the environment and the level of treatment varies. Effluent from shrimp farms has the potential to negatively impact the surrounding local and regional environment due to nitrification, sedimentation, and changes in hydrology. In ponds, water exchange is limited as most water loss is due to evaporation rather than discharge, but water is still released during harvest. Some farms can use nitrogen fertilizer, but relatively low nitrogen discharges are possible if water exchange is also relatively low. On the other hand, in Mexico, the level of untreated nutrients discharged is significant due to the volume of discharge (equivalent to the untreated sewage of 1.7 to 1.9 million people per year). Nutrient input can contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). However, on a larger scheme, effluent from Mexican shrimp farming is still relatively minor when compared to agriculture and other anthropological sources.

Effluent in Thailand is regulated by an area-based, cumulative management system with requirements to meet specific water quality standards. Although there is some uncertainty regarding the comprehensiveness of these standards, coastal and surface water quality in Thailand appears to have improved over the past five years. Chemical use in Thai shrimp ponds is common but pose a low risk to the environment due to the <1% water exchange rate. However, the use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment and risk both environment and human health.

Around 15% of Chinese shrimp farms are intensive and the remaining 85% are semi-intensive or extensive. The semi-intensive and extensive farms supply to domestic markets, of which 70% of Chinese shrimp production is purchased. Management and monitoring of effluent impacts in China are poor, as administrative agencies are more focused on maximizing economic benefits than environmental protection.

Source of Stock

Juvenile shrimp from domestic hatcheries is sourced for stock in the US, therefore sourcing is completely independent of wild populations.

In general, broodstock comes from three different sources:

  • In their native ranges, where broodstock are caught at sea.
  • Cultured shrimp harvested from ponds are grown on-site for an additional 2-3 months and transferred to maturation facilities.
  • Tank-reared specific pathogen free (SPF) and specific pathogen resistant (SPR) broodstock are purchased from the US.

In most global RAS facilities, farmed populations are sourced from hatchery-reared broodstock rather than wild-caught individuals. Pond farms in some countries like Ecuador generally are hatchery-raised from native broodstock selected over several generations for improved performance and disease resistance. Artisanal and extensive farms in other countries such as Nicaragua still use wild-caught juveniles, but the use of captive bred broodstock is likely increasing.

Indonesian, Chinese, and Thailand farms are 100% reliant on hatchery-produced broodstock and seed stock. China and Malaysia source their broodstock directly from SPF-certified hatcheries in Hawaii, thereby reducing the overall risk of unintentional introductions.

Origin Harvest Method Sustainability Ratings FIP Source
Asia Wild-caught
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Bangladesh (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Belize (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Belize (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
China Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
China (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Colombia Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Costa Rica (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Ecuador Semi-Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Ecuador (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Ecuador (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Ecuador (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Ecuador (Organic) Semi-Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Guatemala (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Honduras Ponds
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Honduras (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Honduras (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Honduras (Organic) Semi-Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
India Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 5 Avoid
India (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
India (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Indonesia Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 5 Avoid
Indonesia (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Indonesia (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Indonesia (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Madagascar (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Malaysia Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Malaysia (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Mexico Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Mexico (FIP) Cast Net
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mexico (FIP) Trap Net
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mexico - Gulf of Tehuantepec Bottom Trawls
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico - Nayarit Cast Net
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico - Nayarit Bottom Trawls
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico - Sinaloa (North Central) Bottom Trawls
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico - Sinaloa (South) Cast Net
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico - Sinaloa (South) Bottom Trawls
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Nicaragua Ponds
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Nicaragua (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Nicaragua (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Peru Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Peru (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Peru (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Philippines (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Saudi Arabia (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
South America Wild-caught
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Thailand Frequent Exchange
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Thailand Harvest Exchange
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Thailand Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Thailand (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Thailand (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Thailand (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Unassessed Origin Unassessed Fishing Methods
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Unassessed Origin Unassessed Farming Methods
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
United Kingdom - England RAS - recirculating aquaculture systems (with wastewater treatment)
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 1 Best Choice
USA Coastal Exchange System
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA Zero Exchange / Inland
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA Ponds
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Vietnam Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 5 Avoid
Vietnam Extensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Vietnam (ASC) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Vietnam (BAP 2/3/4-star) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Vietnam (Naturland) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide RAS - recirculating aquaculture systems (with wastewater treatment)
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide RAS - recirculating aquaculture systems (without wastewater treatment)
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide (ASC) Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Worldwide (BAP 2/3/4-star) Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Worldwide (GLOBALG.A.P.) Intensive Pond
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Worldwide (Organic) Ponds
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Name Country State/Province
7 Seas Fish Co., Ltd. Canada British Columbia
Aqua Star United States Washington
Beaver Street Fisheries United States Florida
BILBOSA S.A. Ecuador
BMR Group India Andhra Pradesh
Bowers Homegrown Seafood United States Texas
Catalina Offshore Products United States California
Channel Seafoods International United States Florida
City Fish Canada Alberta
CleanFish United States California
Culinary Collaborations LLC United States New York
Del Pacifico Seafoods LLC United States California
Delta Blue Seafood United States New Hampshire
Diamond Head Seafood Wholesale, Inc. United States Hawaii
DOM International Limited Canada Ontario
Eco Shrimp Garden LLC United States New York
EcoFish, Inc. - Henry & Lisa's Natural Seafood / Freshé United States New Hampshire
Edenworks United States New York
Frobisher International Enterprise Ltd. Canada British Columbia
Garden & Valley Isle Seafood, Inc. United States Hawaii
Good4Ushrimp Inc. Canada Ontario
Greene Prairie Aquafarm United States Alabama
Hilo Fish Company, Inc. United States Hawaii
IFC Seafood Inc. United States Maine
Intercity Packers Meat & Seafood Canada British Columbia
Joseph Robertson United Kingdom
Kaua'i Shrimp United States Hawaii
Kingsun Foods Co., Ltd China Liaoning Sheng
Lotus Seafood Inc. United States California
LP Foods Pte Ltd Singapore, Vietnam
Lusamerica Foods United States, United States, United States California
Marinex SA Switzerland
Marvesta Shrimp Farms United States Maryland
Mazzetta Company, LLC. United States Illinois
Mike Stahl Seafood Co LLC United States California
Ming Hong International, Inc. United States California
Norpac Fisheries Export United States Hawaii
NOVA Fisheries / SunWave Processors United States Washington
Omarsa Ecuador
Pacific Harvest Seafoods United States California
Profish Ltd. United States District of Columbia
Robbie's Ocean Fresh Seafood, Inc. United States California
Royal Hawaiian Seafood United States California
Rubicon Resources United States California
Sammy's Seafood Inc United States Florida
Samuels & Son Seafood Company, Inc. United States Pennsylvania
Santa Monica Seafood, Inc. United States California
Seacore Seafood Canada Ontario
Seattle Fish Co United States Colorado
Seattle Fish Company - Kansas City United States Missouri
Slade Gorton & Co Inc. United States Massachusetts
Sun Shrimp United States Florida
Sustainable Seafood Sales, LLC. United States Maine
Tai Foong USA United States Washington
Thalassa Seafoods Belgium
The Fishin' Company United States Pennsylvania
The Lobster Place Wholesale Seafood United States New York
Tropic Star Seafood, Inc. United States Florida
Tropical Food Service Mexico Jalisco
Waterford Farms Canada Alberta
Wheeler Seafood United States Washington
Wild Fish Direct LLC United States Florida
Wood's Fisheries, Inc. United States Florida

Acknowledgements

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO)
  • Seafood Watch Program
  • SeafoodSource
Last Updated: 11/13/2020