What's The Difference Between Wild-Caught and Farmed-Raised Shrimp?

When grilled and served at a restaurant, wild-caught and farmed-raised shrimp look similar. However, their journeys tell very different stories. How shrimp are cultivated impacts their quality, and we’re here to show why you should always go with wild-caught.

Why Does It Matter Where My Shrimp Come 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 shrimp from other countries are farm-raised in man-made shrimp farms rather than wild-caught in their natural habitats. This leads to potential problems, including:

Nutritional Impact

Many shrimp farms are overpopulated with livestock and require pesticides, antibiotics and other chemicals — some banned in the U.S. — to help keep the shrimp alive and disease-free. The shrimp ingest these chemicals as they grow, making them less nutritious and potentially unsafe.

Environmental Impact

Many foreign shrimp farms used to be mangrove forests7 and salt marshes: areas along coastal waterways that are vital to the earth's climate. Historically, when a shrimp farm moves in it damages the local wildlife through activities like discharging harmful wastewater from the farms 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

From beef to poultry, the food an animal eats and how it's raised directly impacts the taste and nutritional value of the food, and 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. Together with better flavor, American shrimpers are constantly refining the shrimping process to ensure there are always more shrimp in our waters. 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.

Experience the Taste of Locally Sourced Shrimp from the USA

At Biloxi Shrimp Co., 100 percent of our 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 a locked-in flavor and delicious taste, no matter how they're cooked.

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!