What Makes Gulf ShrimpStand Out?
Gulf shrimp are not only full of the flavor of the rich Gulf of Mexico, they also represent the lifestyle of an entire region. Many of the Gulf Coast shrimpers are multi-generational, from father to son/daughter, making it their mission to harvest fresh, quality shrimp for you. Gulf harvesters are conservationists, following strict U.S. environmental and food regulation standards for assured quality. When shrimpers harvest shrimp, devices on their nets enable turtles and fish to swim out, helping Gulf wildlife and ensuring more shrimp for you!
The U.S Gulf of Mexico seafood industry is also an economic engine that helps power the region, state, and nation. Commercial harvestersin the Gulf landed 1.8 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish and earned $818 million in landings revenue in 2011; these landings were led by shrimp at $438 million. From 2002 to 2011, shrimp had higher landings revenuesin the Gulf than any other species or species group, averaging $371 million.
Gulf Shrimp Tales
BELOW ARE SOME GREAT STORIES WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED IN THE SUN HERALD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "EVERY SHRIMP HAS A TALE" CAMPAIGN!
Shrimp Fact 1
Gulf shrimp are in season year round, with peak season being May – September. Shrimp Fact 2
Shrimp are a great source of iron, zinc and omega-3s. Shrimping
smart
The design of a shrimp boat is intricate. From the outriggers that are lowered on each side to the specialty-crafted gear that holds the nets open underwater, all play a vital role in the success of a good day on the Gulf. However, the most critical element to any shrimp boat are the trawl nets used to bring in fresh catch daily. The construction of these nets is unique because not only does it perfectly glide across the floor bed of the Gulf to catch wild shrimp, it's also designed to protect other marine life that share the same environment. As part of federal regulation, all U.S. shrimpers are required to use trawl nets equipped with a TED — Turtle Excluder Device — that safely guides sea turtles through an escape flap. This ingenious mechanism has proven to be 97 percent effective at excluding sea turtles of all sizes. To protect other marine life like red snapper or any finfish, a BRD — Bycatch Reduction Device — also is installed to provide a small opening at the top of the net for fish to escape. No doubt Gulf shrimp is the best, but it's all about shrimping environmentally smart!
Want to learn more about how a shrimp boat operates? Check out this video.
Shrimp Fact 3
How many ways can shrimp be eaten? Baked, boiled, broiled, deep-fried, grilled, poached, sautéd, smoked, steamed, pickled, pan seared, and even as pate. Shrimp Fact 4
The life span of most shrimp is between one and two years. Oh, the taste of
Gulf shrimp!
What makes wild-caught shrimp taste so good? Plain and simple, it's all about the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There's just really nothing like them. The pristine waters of the Gulf are embedded with a unique flavor profile that is absorbed into shrimp to provide an unmistakable, robust taste. Consider the Gulf like a ginormous salinity pool of natural seasoning — 615,000 square miles teeming with succulent shrimp that are clean and sweet all because they are pulled from a natural environment free from harsh chemicals. Also, wild shrimp feast on a wild diet, which only enhances the taste and provides a high quality product that is truly matchless in flavor. Of course, once chefs get their hands on the backyard blessing, shrimp are taken to another level and transformed into an array of delicious dishes. Whether they are paired with a touch of this, a dash of that, or a toss in a savory sauce, wild-caught shrimp are in a culinary league of their own.
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