Outer Banks Fishing Reports

In 2006 and 2007, shrimpers working in Pamlico Sound near Gull Rock in Hyde County reported catching a few Asian black tiger shrimp. Fishermen who capture the non-native species are encouraged to contact the NC Division of Marine Fisheries. (Photo courtesy of NC DMF.)

Some North Carolina shrimpers have pulled in an unusual type of shrimp in addition to the common white, pink, or brown species in their trawl nets.

In 2006 and 2007, fishermen reported catching a few Asian black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a species not native to South Atlantic waters.

“We don’t think the black tiger shrimp is established here, but we really don’t have much information. That’s why we’re asking fishermen to call us if they catch any of these shrimp,” said Trish Murphey at the NC Division of Marine Fisheries.

Black tiger shrimp, one of the world’s largest shrimp species, can grow to over one foot in length, although the ones captured in NC have been around 9 inches long.

Native to the West Pacific, the black tiger is also widely farmed, particularly in Southeast Asia.

The species is named for the distinct dark stripes that encircle its shell.

The first reported sighting of black tiger shrimp in NC was in October 2006 in Pamlico Sound, near Gull Rock in Hyde County. In 2007, fishermen reported catching tiger shrimp in the same vicinity, as well as offshore of Bogue Banks in Carteret County.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 10:09 am and is filed under Fishing Reports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.