Top Aesop Shrimp Fishing Countries

The Aesop shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), also known as the deep-water rose shrimp, is a commercially valuable deep-sea crustacean found primarily in the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Characterized by its reddish-pink color and long antennae, the Aesop shrimp inhabits muddy seabeds at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters. The leading countries in harvesting Aesop shrimp are Spain, Italy, and Greece, with Spain—particularly the ports of Palamós and Denia—dominating the industry due to its advanced trawling fleets and established export markets. Italy and Greece also maintain significant fisheries, focusing on both domestic consumption and export. The Aesop shrimp fishery is a vital economic resource for coastal communities in these countries, but it is also closely monitored due to concerns about overfishing and the sustainability of deep-sea trawling practices.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.