Argentine red shrimp
Argentine red shrimp is one of the main resources in the Argentine Sea in the South Atlantic, caught usually by bottom-trawlers. In 2017, catches of Argentine red shrimp outperformed those of Northern prawn at 243,268 MT, landing almost 40 percent of the overall global coldwater species catch. This species has shown explosive growth over the years, with catches quadrupling since 2007.
Recent reports also indicate a further increase in 2018 of up to 250,000 MT. This remarkable growth can be attributed to favorable environmental conditions and preservation measures. Almost all of the catch, 99.7 percent, comes from Argentina, while small volumes come from Brazil or Uruguay. Usually operating during the summer, catches from artisanal and coastal vessels are generally dedicated to domestic consumption.
Compared to other coldwater shrimp species, the Argentine red shrimp have a relatively short reproduction cycle, fully reproducing in 12 to 16 months, which helps the industry harvest the species without depleting resources. With the catches showing continuous growth over the years, the question now rests on how the stocks are being managed.
Several fisheries are close to obtaining MSC certification by the end of 2019, which will hopefully boost its marketability, particularly in Europe. Companies seeking the stamp include Grupo Veraz, Grupo Iberconsa, and Consermar-Newsan.
