Giant tiger shrimp

There is a huge demand for tropical shrimp, unfortunately the aquaculture has also several problems. ASC-shrimp are available since 2015. The certification program of ASCASC:
Aquaculture Stewardship Council, a worldwide eco-label for responsible cultivated fish. rewards aquaculture activities that target protection of the environment and social responsibility.

The creation of the ASC standard is unique for the dialogue between the many stakeholders. This has led to a standard that is strict and realistic and they handle the most important negative effects of shrimp aquaculture. For example, that the waste products don’t burden the environment too much, the amount of escapes of shrimp, the abuse of antibiotics and whether the company is run in a socially responsible way.

Fish and season

This assessment concerns farmed fish. Season is therefore not an issue.

Tropical shrimp are very popular under consumers worldwide. Tiger shrimp in extensive pond farming are kept in low densities. Although production is therefore lower than in intensive pond cultivation, there are ecological advantages. The shrimps feed on algae naturally present in the pond itself, so no additional feeding is needed. Also, the risk of disease outbreaks is small and antibiotics are not necessary. Water recirculation is not required as frequent, which saves on energy use and results in lower amounts of waste water.

Shrimps are often farmed in vulnerable (nature) areas and shrimp larvae are coming from hatcheries that use broodstock from wild (overfished) populations. Also, the laws and regulations in the countries where the shrimp are farmed are not fully effective in minimizing negative effects of shrimp farming.

Fish in season

This assessment concerns farmed fish. Season is therefore not an issue.

Tropical shrimp is very much loved by consumers worldwide. There can unfortunately be a lot of problems with shrimp aquaculture. In the past, a lot of mangrove forests were cut to make place for aquaculture ponds, nowadays the ponds are mainly placed in other coastal areas, but these are also areas with a high ecological value. The chance of diseases by shrimp is high, and to combat that high quantities of medicines, antibiotics and chemicals are used in the aquaculture. The law and regulation in countries where shrimp is farmed is often not good enough to minimalise the harmful effects of the aquaculture.

Fish and season

This assessment concerns farmed fish. Season is therefore not an issue.

Most shrimp stocks in this region are intensively fished or overfished, which pressures the stocks. Catch data are unreliable and it is unclear whether the existing management measures are being followed. Illegal fishery plays a big part in this.

Trawling fisheries have generally much bycatch, including young, undersized fish. 20-80% of the catch is bycatch, of which much is discarded. At some places everything is landed. Furthermore, there is incidental bycatch of protected species, like sea turtles, rays and sharks. Fishing with trawls touches the bottom and there is a direct disruption of the bottom life. Intensive fishing with bottom trawls leads on the long-term to a change in species composition in the sea. This is especially the case for vulnerable habitats like coral reefs and sea grass fields that occur in this region.