When grilled up and served on a plate, wild-caught and farmed-raised shrimp look pretty similar. However, the journeys of those shrimp will tell very different stories. How shrimp are brought up has a big impact on their quality, and we're here to tell you why you should always go with wild-caught ones.
Why Does It Matter Where My Shrimp Comes From?
As one of the most popular types of seafood in the world, shrimp are in such high demand that multiple countries export them globally. However, most of these shrimp from countries other than the United States are farm-raised, brought up in man-made shrimp farms, rather than being wild-caught in their natural habitats. The potential problems that arise from farming shrimp are both nutritional and environmental:
Nutritional Impact
Many shrimp farms are overpopulated with livestock and thus require pesticides, antibiotics and other chemicals — some of which are banned in the U.S. — to help keep the shrimp alive and disease-free. These substances are ingested by the shrimp as they grow, making them less nutritious and potentially unsafe for consumers.
Environmental Impact
Many shrimp farms abroad used to be mangrove forests and salt marshes: areas along coastal waterways that are vital to the earth's climate. When a shrimp farm moves in, it's historically been at the expense of local wildlife, such as harmful wastewater from the farms being discharged into nearby waterways. Many shrimp farms have since adopted sustainable practices to help combat the negative impact on these ecosystems, but considerable damage has already been done and even today continues on some farms.
The Wild-Caught Difference
As with any other food, it's important to know where your shrimp come from before they hit your plate. Considering the quality and safety differences between wild and farmed seafood, the choice is up to you.
From beef to poultry, the food an animal eats and how it's raised directly impact the ultimate taste and nutritional value. Shrimp are no different. While swimming in their natural habitat, shrimp are getting the food and nutrients they need. A clean, natural diet results in a clean, natural taste and texture — and a dinner you can feel good about eating.
Experience the Taste of Locally Sourced Shrimp from the USA
At Biloxi Shrimp Co., 100% of our fresh Gulf shrimp are wild-caught in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They’re harvested, with the future population and environment in mind, and then processed in Biloxi, Mississippi, all by American workers. When our shrimp find their way to your home, they have been frozen, sealed and packed in a cooler with dry ice to ensure their flavor is locked in and tastes delicious no matter how they're cooked up.
Learn More About Gulf Shrimp
Prepare your favorite recipes using locally sourced shrimp from us here in Biloxi, Mississippi. Whether you've got grilled shrimp skewers or fried popcorn shrimp on the menu, you can rest assured the shrimp you get from Biloxi Shrimp Co. are straight from the ocean to your table. We're happy to answer any questions you may have about how our shrimp are caught, processed and packaged. For more information, contact us today.
Click here to order mouthwatering wild-caught shrimp straight from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.