Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) are North Carolina’s most abundant shrimp species and support a major commercial fishery along our central and southern coastline. Brown shrimp are spawned in the ocean and carried by tides and wind driven currents into our estuaries in late winter and early spring.

Most brown shrimp are caught in the summer and have a maximum life span of 18 months. They can grow as large as nine inches. Brown shrimp account for 67% of North Carolina’s shrimp landings.

White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), or green tails, are a minor species in North Carolina. White shrimp are spawned in the ocean from March to November and are carried by tides and wind driven currents into our estuaries.

White shrimp are harvested primarily in the fall. These shrimp have a maximum life span of 24 months and they can grow as large as eight inches. White shrimp account for 28% of North Carolina’s shrimp landings.

Pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum),or spotted shrimp, rank as North Carolina’s second most abundant shrimp species. Pink shrimp are spawned in the ocean April through July and carried by tides and wind driven currents into our estuaries where they overwinter.

Pink shrimp are harvested in the spring and the fall, and have a maximum life span of 24 months. They can grow as large as 11 inches. Pink shrimp account for 5% of North Carolina’s shrimp landings.

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