Choosing and Buying Gourmet Seafood Online - Wild Caught American Shrimp

When selecting items for a seafood feast, wildWild caught American shrimp are also a good choice
caught American shrimp are considered to be anin terms of sustainability. Many of the American
excellent choice of many gourmet cooks. Wildshrimp fisheries have been recognized for ethical
American shrimp are not only recognized forharvesting techniques.
outstanding flavor but they can be an important partThe Wild American Shrimp Certification Program
of a healthy diet.certifies that warm-water, wild caught shrimp from
They are delicious steamed, boiled, grilled, fried and inU.S. coastal waters meet a high standard of quality
dishes like shrimp scampi. They are also popular as anand consistency. Shrimp that attain Certified Wild
appetizer, such as shrimp cocktail, shrimp bisque andAmerican Shrimp certification receive special labeling.
shrimp salad. Shrimp even freeze well and can beParticipation in the certification program is available to
purchased in large numbers, processed and theharvesters, processors, distributors, retailers, grocers
excess amounts frozen for later meals.and restaurateurs.
Wild American shrimp include white shrimpAnother American shrimp fishery has received
(Litopenaeus setiferus), brown shrimpinternational recognition. Oregon's pink shrimp fishery
(Farfantepenaeus aztecus), pink shrimp (Penaeushas earned the world's first sustainable shrimp
duorarum) and royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus orcertification under the Marine Stewardship Council
Hymenopenaeus robustus) rock shrimp (Sicyonia(MSC) certification program.
brevirostris) and Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis).Pink shrimp, also known as bay or salad shrimp are
Shrimp are sized by "count". The number is thesmall (100-140 whole shrimp per lb) shrimp which are
average number of shrimp specimens per pound. Thisharvested using the advanced trawl methods. Pink
applies to both whole and heads-off shrimp. ForMSC certified shrimp are delivered to shore for
example, headless shrimp of 16/20 count meanscooking, peeling, and freezing, resulting in an
there are 16 to 20 headless shrimp per pound. Countsextremely fresh product that is considered some of
for headless shrimp typically range from 16/20 (largethe most flavorful shrimp in the world.
shrimp) to 60/70 (small). Pacific pink shrimp are evenThe variety of high quality, healthy and sustainable
tinier, having counts of about 100 to 140 wholeAmerican shrimp makes them an excellent choice for
shrimp per pound.seafood lovers.