Top Plesionika Shrimps Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Plesionika shrimps, commonly known as deepwater or pandalid shrimps, are a group of small, commercially valuable crustaceans found primarily on continental slopes and seamounts in tropical and subtropical oceans. Notably, the term "Plesionika shrimps not elsewhere included" refers to species within the genus Plesionika that are not classified under more specific categories in fisheries statistics. These shrimps are prized for their delicate flavor and are harvested primarily using deepwater trawl methods. The leading fishing countries for these species include Spain, Japan, and Taiwan, with Spain’s fleets particularly active in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, while Japan and Taiwan operate in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Plesionika fishery is often small-scale but can be significant locally, supporting coastal communities and contributing to the export market, especially in Mediterranean countries where these shrimps are considered a delicacy. Sustainable management is increasingly important, as deepwater shrimp species are vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth and low reproductive rates.

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