12.01.2005
Have You Had Your Florida Shrimp Today?
Americans love to eat shrimp. According to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, shrimp is the No. 1 one seafood choice among consumers. The consumption per person in 2004 was 4.2 pounds. This was an increase from previous years. Like Bubba in the Forest Gump movie, we apparently like it many different ways, from sushi to casseroles. So, what do we know about these delectable little creatures that we find so tasty and easy to eat?The story of shrimp is quite interesting with myriad facts and trivia. For example, Florida's commercial shrimpers did their part to help consumers quench their shrimp appetites by catching almost 28 million pounds in 2004. At the rate of 4.2 pounds per person, that was enough shrimp to feed nearly 6.7 million people. Don’t even try to guess how many actual shrimp it took to make up the 28 million pounds unless you are having trouble sleeping and prefer to count shrimp instead of sheep.
Counting the number of legs on a shrimp would be easier but it’s a good thing they don’t have to buy shoes or glasses. They have five pairs of legs for walking and five for swimming. In addition to sensory antennas, they have compound eyes so they can seek out their diet of small plants and animals.
The average life cycle of a shrimp in the wild is only 13 months or less. Some records indicate some have lived longer but those are the exception. They reproduce rapidly, which is a good thing since so many people like to eat them. Female shrimp lay over a thousand eggs, which are attached to her swimming legs. Most shrimp spawn offshore in deep water from early spring through early fall. Young shrimp are carried by currents into coastal estuaries to mature. Shrimp grow very quickly. They often have to shed their old shells to grow new ones so the fit is better.
Although most of us think of the types of shrimp in relation to size (small, medium, large and jumbo), there are over 2,000 different species worldwide. In Florida, there are five shrimp species of commercial value in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. Shrimp are categorized by colors: brown, pink, white and royal red. The majority of the shrimp harvested in Florida are the pink species.
Do you ever take time to ponder about how the food you eat gets to you? Most commercial fishermen have made a living fishing for their entire life. Although it is very hard work and they have to deal with all the harsh elements of the sea and weather, they would not have it any other way. Some shrimp can be caught during the day but the dominant pinks in Florida can only be caught at night when the moon is not full. This is because pink shrimp are skittish and they hide from their predators in the sand when it is bright. Consequently, depending on the time of the year and how far they have to go offshore, commercial shrimpers who seek pink shrimp may have to live for two to three weeks on their boats while they trawl for their catch. So this means they sleep and eat on the boats 24/7. Prior to going out to sea they have to make sure they have plenty of supplies to sustain them.
Okay, let’s get back to the topic of eating shrimp. In addition to the fact that Florida wild-caught shrimp has a wonderful, sweet, distinct flavor, it is naturally low in carbohydrates, saturated and other fats and calories. It is an ideal choice for a low carbohydrate diet and healthy lifestyle. It is recommended for its omega-3 fatty acid, which medical research shows reduces the risk of heart disease.
