Canadian Association of Prawn Producers

We are the Canadian Association of Prawn Producers

We produce wild coldwater shrimp from the icy, pristine Northwest Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

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Canadian coldwater shrimp

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Naturally wild

Harvested year-round in the pristine, icy waters of the Eastern Arctic and Northwest Atlantic oceans, our coldwater shrimp are quickly processed and frozen on-board vessels to preserve freshness and lock in flavour.

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Sustainable

Sophisticated technology is used to minimize our environmental and ecological footprint and ensure we harvest and process our coldwater shrimp to the highest standards. We do this while leading the way in research and global sustainability certifications to make sure we take good care of our oceans and the coldwater shrimp that we harvest.

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Fresh flavour and delicate sweetness

Prized for their distinct fresh flavor, delicate sweetness, and juicy and firm texture, coldwater shrimp are a great source of protein and are low in fat, making them a healthy option that can be enjoyed cold or as part of a hot dish.

Our resource

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Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis)

Canada’s main shrimp species in Eastern and Northern Canada is Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) that are fished primarily from Baffin Bay as far south as the Grand Banks (off the island of Newfoundland), usually between 150-500 meters deep, most often where temperatures near the bottom range from about 2 to 4 ºC.

Image depicting Pandalus montagui in its habitat
Photo credit: Claude Nozères

Striped shrimp (Pandalus montagui)

Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) are found primarily in the far north, in waters off Baffin Island and northern Labrador. They are typically found in waters with a temperature of -1 to 2 ºC at depths of 100 to 500 meters.

Our species are protandrous hermaphrodites. They first mature as males, then change sex after three years, spending the rest of their lives as mature females. After mating, fertilized eggs are attached to the female’s abdominal appendages for seven to eight months until they hatch in the spring. Larvae are pelagic, spending three to four months in the water column. They then move to the sea floor and take up the lifestyle of the adults. In more northern areas, shrimp are thought to live longer, while those in the south likely live for six or seven years. Shrimp can grow to about 15 to 16 centimeters, although the average size is about half of this. The two Pandalid species in Eastern Canada (Pandalus borealis and Pandalus montagui) are each considered to be a wide-spread, single stock complex but are currently managed as seven individual stocks.

Canadian coldwater shrimp

Canadian Association of Prawn Producers

Responsible fishing

With a focus on sustainability and responsible management of Canada’s coldwater shrimp, we work tirelessly to conserve the resource, ensuring the highest quality shrimp are available for future generations. But we don’t stop there. We are making investments to further reduce our already low (~1%) incidental by catch of other species, improve our carbon footprint, while also leading the way when it comes to protecting the vulnerable marine ecosystems and reducing our already low seabed impact. We do this by promoting area closures, investing in new technologies, making continuous improvements, funding research and following the best possible science.

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Empowering people and communities

Social responsibility and ensuring we are empowering the next generation is part of who we are. We value the communities in which we operate, and we take our responsibility to the hundreds of men and women who work on our vessels and in our operations very seriously. We are proud of the contributions we make to the local economy of rural coastal communities through our investments and employment, but equally as important we are focused on giving back to our people and communities.

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