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Brown shrimp

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Green
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General

Shrimp

Shrimp is a type of crustaceans with elonged bodies and a primarily swimming mode of locomotion. Under the broader definition, shrimp may be synonymous with prawn. Covering the stalk-eyed swimming crustaceans with long muscular tails long whiskers and slender legs. Any small crustaceans that resemble a shrimp are called one. The habitat of the shrimp covers all waters, near the shore, rivers, lakes and in the deep sea. There are several types of shrimp on the dutch market. Wild shrimps from colder waters like the brown shrimp and the northern prawn are in general a bit smaller. Big shrimps or prawns also referred to as ‘gamba’, are most often imported from tropical areas, where they are farmed.

Brown shrimp

The brown shrimp, also known as the common shrimp, bay shrimp or sand shrimp, is a small shrimp with an average length of 3-5 centimetres. This species can be found in almost all European coastal waters with sandy and silty bottoms. The brown shrimp is most active at night when foraging and bury themselves in the substrate during the day. This species is one of the three species of shrimp that is fished most in the North Sea. Shrimp are sorted and boiled on board of the vessel after which they are transported to Morocco where they are peeled.

 

Brown shrimp

Crangon crangon
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Beam trawl, Bottom trawls

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Explanation assessment

Brown shrimp have been MSCMSC:
Marine Stewardship Council, an independent, international non-profit organization that has developed an eco-label that guarantees well-managed, sustainable fisheries. Fish products that meet the criteria of the eco-label can be identified by the blue MSC logo.
-certified since 2017. This species is mainly caught by beamBeam trawls:
A technique in which a pit net at the top is kept open by a horizontal tube (the tree). Ticklerchains are tossed through the bottom to hunt the fish into the net.  
trawl, which has been criticised for its significant bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of juvenile fish and benthic species. Although the EU has not set catch limitsCatch limits:
The maximum amount of fish of a species caught per country, per year. 
, the MSC certificate imposes strict requirements on this shrimp fishery through various management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
.  This year, for example, it has been established that vessels are only allowed to fish for 24 hours per week to main the sustainability label. MSC-certified Dutch shrimp is caught using bottomBottom trawls:
A fishing technique in which cone-shaped nets terminating in a codend are dragged through the water column or along the bottom.
trawls and the beamBeam trawls:
A technique in which a pit net at the top is kept open by a horizontal tube (the tree). Ticklerchains are tossed through the bottom to hunt the fish into the net.  
trawl.

 

Brown shrimp

Crangon crangon
Origin

North Sea (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Beam trawl, Bottom trawls

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The short life span and environmental dependence of the brown shrimp makes for a highly variable stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
. This makes it difficult to carry out conventional stock estimates.

Demersal fisheries such as bottomBottom trawls:
A fishing technique in which cone-shaped nets terminating in a codend are dragged through the water column or along the bottom.
trawls and beamBeam trawls:
A technique in which a pit net at the top is kept open by a horizontal tube (the tree). Ticklerchains are tossed through the bottom to hunt the fish into the net.  
trawls can have a major negative impact on the ecosystem as they are dragged across the seabed. BycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of other species, including endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species, is likely and often documented.

Brown shrimp is managed through a so-called HarvestHarvest Control Rule:
Harvest control rules (HCRs) are the operational component of a harvest strategy, essentially pre-agreed guidelines that determine how much fishing can take, based on indicators of the targeted stock's status.
Control Rule, which limits the level of fishing effort. The EU has not set catch limitsCatch limits:
The maximum amount of fish of a species caught per country, per year. 
. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is partially effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.