Shrimp live in both salt and fresh water.1 They most often swim in
large groups together near the surface close to the shore.2 However,
shrimp can swim to depths of more than 3 miles.3 The most common
commercial shrimp found in the United States is the white shrimp.4 The
most common shrimp found in Georgia are brown shrimp and white
shrimp.5 White shrimp are mainly caught in the fall and winter months.6
White shrimp make up about 80% of Georgia's total commercial
harvest.7 The brown shrimp are harvested during the Spring and
Summer months.8 Two other popular species are the pink-grooved
shrimp and the prawn of the Pacific Coast.9 Shrimp can grow as long as
9 inches, but most are around 6 inches or smaller.10 They feed on algae
that they strain from the water through rows of bristles on their mouth
Shrimp are caught using special nets that keep in the adult
shrimp, while allowing the young shrimp to escape. One problem with
the shrimp nets was turtles being caught and drowning. In 1980,
commercial shrimper's were given the opportunity to voluntarily put
Turtle-Excluder Devices (TED's) on their nets.12 However, on December
1, 1994, it became mandatory for all commercial shrimping vessels to
use nets designed with TED's on them.13 Turtles can now escape if
caught in the nets, but unfortunately, the shrimp can too. Recently, the
United States court banned the import of all shrimp from countries who
do not use TED's on their shrimp nets.14
In the mid- 1990s, commercial shrimpers were also required to put
Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in their nets. It was believed
shrimpers were responsible for the death of million of young finfish,
such as red drum, red snapper, weak fish, Spanish mackrel, and king
mackrel.15 After several years of using the BRD's, there has been a
signifigant decrease in the amount of bycatch caught.16 Shrimpers now...