Top Pacific Rock Shrimp Fishing Countries

Pacific rock shrimp (Sicyonia penicillata) are small, deep-water crustaceans found along the Pacific coasts of North and Central America, prized for their sweet, lobster-like flavor and firm texture. The commercial rock shrimp fishery is most prominent in the United States, particularly off the coasts of California and Mexico, where specialized trawl gear is used to harvest them from sandy or muddy bottoms at depths ranging from 50 to 300 meters. The United States, especially California, is historically the leading harvester, with Mexico also maintaining a significant fishery along its Pacific coast. Smaller-scale fisheries exist in Central American countries such as Costa Rica and Panama. The industry is regulated to ensure sustainability, with gear restrictions and seasonal closures helping to protect both the shrimp population and the broader marine ecosystem.

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