Glossary

FARMING PRACTICES

In the context of shrimp, “harvest” refers to the process of collecting shrimp from their natural habitat or aquaculture systems for commercial purposes. Farmers typically harvest shrimp when they reach the desired size and quality for consumption or processing. This process involves several steps to ensure efficient collection with minimal stress or damage to the shrimp.

In aquaculture systems, farmers begin harvesting by draining ponds or tanks to concentrate the shrimp in a smaller area. They then use nets or specialized equipment to gather the shrimp. After collection, farmers place the shrimp in containers with clean water to maintain their quality. In natural habitats, fishermen harvest shrimp using trawl nets or other fishing gear designed to minimize bycatch and environmental impact.

After harvesting, workers sort and grade the shrimp by size and quality. This step ensures that only the best shrimp reach the market. The shrimp are then sold fresh, frozen, or processed into various products like shrimp cocktails, breaded shrimp, or shrimp paste.