VU

southern white shrimp

Penaeus schmitti

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Southern white shrimp populations face severe pressure from intensive commercial trawling operations throughout their range, with overfishing representing the primary threat to the species. Coastal development and pollution in estuarine nursery areas have degraded critical juvenile habitat, while climate change is altering water temperatures and salinity levels that affect reproductive success and larval survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Southern white shrimp inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and lagoons along the western Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Brazil. Juveniles depend on protected estuarine nursery areas with muddy or sandy bottoms, while adults move to deeper offshore waters for reproduction.

MARINE· major

Other threatened species in Penaeidae

western white shrimpCR

western white shrimp

Penaeus occidentalis

Unknown

Threatened in Belize

EN

Baird's Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

Declining
VU

Yucatan Brown Brocket

Mazama pandora

Declining
Coryphopterus eidolonVU

Coryphopterus eidolon

Unknown
VU

Coryphopterus lipernes

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is southern white shrimp classified as Vulnerable?
southern white shrimp is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Southern white shrimp populations face severe pressure from intensive commercial trawling operations throughout their range, with overfishing representing the primary threat to the species. Coastal development and pollution in estuarine nursery areas have degraded critical juvenile habitat, while climate change is altering water temperatures and salinity levels that affect reproductive success and larval survival.
Where does southern white shrimp live?
southern white shrimp occurs in Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Dominica (plus 12 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to southern white shrimp?
The main threats to southern white shrimp are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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