Captured in the wild and cultured tropical shrimp have over the last twenty years become the most valued seafood. However, shrimp capture and culture has been associated with large-scale ecological damage.

Tropical shrimp account for 20% of internationally traded fishery products in terms of value. Shrimp is produced in the coastal regions of most tropical countries, but traded internationally for consumption in North America, the EU and Japan. The Netherlands is a major importer and processor of tropical shrimps. Shrimp capture and culture whilst providing economic benefits for some groups in society have also been associated with large-scale ecological damage and consequent marginalization and impoverishment of local people.

Major impact
Major impacts of production include that expansion of shrimp ponds accounts for around 38% of global mangrove losses (MEA) and displaces of local impoverished groups of people. Furthermore, shrimp trawling has the largest by-catch levels of all fishing techniques (FAO).

International trade and policies
The strong position of tropical shrimp on international markets has been driven by the high value and market demand for shrimp, considerable investment in the private and public sectors, and the rapid expansion and change of shrimp aquaculture production methods. For any international strategy aimed at addressing the impacts of tropical shrimp production, it is essential that such market mechanisms are understood and influenced.

What does IUCN NL do?
The IUCN NL Tropical Shrimp Project aims at stopping the damage to ecosystems and local well-being as a consequence of tropical shrimp production, in particular damage related to Dutch and European commercial activities, through development and adoption of more responsible and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries practices, sustainability-orientated purchasing policies and the development of credible assurance and certification systems. The IUCN NL Small Grants Programme (link to EG) also offers financial and technical support to local NGO projects dealing with the impact of shrimp production on local ecosystems.

• Publication: The Netherlands & the World Ecology: Tropical Shrimps
• Report: Overview of Shrimp Aqaculture Certification Schemes
• Report: Tropical Shrimp Certification: Implications, risks and opportunities
• Publication: Background Briefer on Shrimp Aquaculture
• Consortium on Shrimp Farming and the Environment
• ISEAL: International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance
• Responsible Shrimp Culture Improvement Program