Chinese white shrimp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinese white shrimp |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Fleshy prawns being sold at Noryangjin Fish Market, South Korea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Chinese white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) is a type of shrimp. People also call it the oriental shrimp or fleshy prawn. This shrimp is very important for food. It is raised in large farms, especially off the coast of mainland China.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, many of these shrimp got sick. This caused big problems for the farms. Since then, catching wild shrimp has gotten better. But fewer shrimp are now raised on farms than before. This shrimp used to have different scientific names. These included Cancer chinensis and Penaeus orientalis. Now, scientists call it Fenneropenaeus chinensis.
Contents
What is the Chinese White Shrimp?
The Chinese white shrimp is a type of crustacean. It lives in the ocean. These shrimp are a popular food source. They are often caught by fishermen. They are also grown in special farms. This is called aquaculture.
Where Do These Shrimp Live?
Chinese white shrimp live in the waters near China. They are found in coastal areas. They prefer shallow waters. These areas are good for them to find food. They also need these places to grow.
Why Are These Shrimp Important?
The Chinese white shrimp is a big part of the fishing industry in China. Many people eat them. They are sold in markets. They are also used in many dishes. This makes them important for the economy.
How Are They Farmed?
Shrimp farming is a big business. Farmers raise young shrimp in ponds. They feed them until they are big enough to sell. This helps to provide a steady supply of shrimp. It also helps to protect wild shrimp populations.
How Are Chinese White Shrimp Protected?
In the past, the number of Chinese white shrimp went down. This was because of diseases. It was also due to too much fishing. To help, China started a special program.
Releasing Young Shrimp
Since 1984, China has been releasing young F. chinensis into the ocean. This helps to increase the number of shrimp. It helps more shrimp grow up. This program has worked very well. By 2006, about 600 million young shrimp were released each year. This led to about 720 trillion shrimp being caught. This shows how important it is to protect these animals.
