Kendall Smith
541-435-4495
Kendall.R.Smith@odfw.oregon.gov

Spot shrimp ages

Spot shrimp - Pandalus platyceros

Oregon caught spot shrimp are amongst the largest shrimp found on the planet. A world record 65 mm carapace length shrimp has been measured and 4 shrimps per pound has been recorded.

These shrimp are large with white stripes on their carapace and spots on the 1st and 5th abdominal somites. They are generally found far offshore in depths beyond 500 feet in low densities.

A short but complicated life

Spot shrimp, like many Pandalidae shrimp, are protandrous hermaphrodites. This means that they initially mature as males and later in life become females. Shrimp eggs hatch in late spring and then settle in shallow waters. As they become mature males (within a year and a half), they migrate to the deep rocky adult grounds. At age two to three, males begin to transition into females, where they can often carry two or more broods before dying. Lifespan of four to five years has been described in Washington and British Columbia, however Oregon coastal populations appear to live longer.

ID Photo

Coonstripe shrimp - Pandalus danae

Oregon's coonstripe shrimp can be found in shallow depths of 0 to 300 feet; most densely at sand/rock interfaces. There are very few areas which can be successfully fished in Oregon. Gear used in the fishery is light and soak time should be at least a day, so a good weather window is necessary.

There is another "coonstripe shrimp" (Pandalus hypsinotus) which is a fishery target in Alaska, but does not range within Oregon.

ID Photo