Pandalus platyceros
| Pandalus platyceros | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Caridea |
| Family: | Pandalidae |
| Genus: | Pandalus |
| Species: | P. platyceros
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| Binomial name | |
| Pandalus platyceros | |
Pandalus platyceros, commonly known as the Spot Prawn (or Spot Shrimp), is considered a shrimp as it is of the Infraorder Caridea.[2][1] Spot Prawns are sometimes referred to by a regionally qualified name such as a BC Spot Prawn,[3] California Spot Prawn,[4] and Alaskan Prawn[5] among others.[6]
The Spot Prawn ranges throughout the northern Pacific Ocean,[7] (Unalaska Island, Alaska to San Diego, California), and also from the Sea of Japan to Korea Strait.[8][9] While found in depths of 3.7 meters to 457.2 meters, Spot Prawn are most often found around 109.7 meters below sea level.[10]
Description
[edit]Spot Prawn reach up to 27 centimeters in length, with females often longer than their male counterparts. Spot Prawn have a translucent, reddish carapace with white stripes and pereopods and antennae which are banded dark and light red.[11] Their first and fifth abdominal segments have white spots.[10]
They are protandric hermaphrodites, meaning they first turn into males, with their appendix masculina lengthening while maturing and then gradually shortening until they turn into females.[12]
Fishing Harvests
[edit]Spot Prawn harvests are relatively short lasting only 6-8 weeks from May to June. The season opens in the Spring because it is the new lifecycle for Spot Prawns.[13]
The largest Spot Prawn harvests occur in British Columbia, Canada where approximately 2,450 metric tonnes are harvested annually, with about 65% of the harvest coming from the waters between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland.[14] BC Spot Prawns are considered sustainable having been recognized by the Vancouver Aquarium’s OceanWise program and as a “Good Alternative” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.[15]
The largest US harvests occur in Alaska which limits annual harvest to under 800,000 lbs (Approximately 363 tonnes).[16] The majority of the continental US landings occur in southern California, though fishing activity extends north to the Oregon border.[17] California produced approximately 100 metric tonnes annually.[18]
Culinary Reputation and Global Appeal
[edit]Spot Prawns are renowned around the world for their flavour, freshness, and quality. Their meat has a sweet delicate flavour and firm texture.[19] They are often sold in Japan as 'Botan Ebi' despite not being one of the 2 traditional domestic shrimp (Toyama ebi and Humpback Shrimp). This is because the Spot Prawn is a close relative of domestic Botan ebi and they can only be told apart by examining the head closely. Furthermore, one does not taste better than the other.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pandalus platyceros". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ "Pandalus platyceros". inverts.wallawalla.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "It's all about spot prawns on this Foodie Friday!". CityNews Vancouver. 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "Spot Prawns - What to know, when & where to get them". Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "All About Our Spot Prawn". Alaska Select. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Parsons, Russ (June 4, 2008). "Spot prawns are a West Coast treasure". Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Pandalus platyceros Brandt, 1851". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2013-05-14). "Shrimp and prawn biology | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canadae". www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "Pandalus platyceros". inverts.wallawalla.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ a b "Spot Shrimp Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game". www.adfg.alaska.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ "Spot Prawn". California Sea Grant. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ "The protandric life history of the Northern spot shrimp Pandalus platyceros: molecular insights and implications for fishery management", retrieved November 13, 2021
- ^ "When we harvest". BC Spot Prawns. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "What is a spot prawn? | Spot Prawn Festival". Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2016-05-30). "Prawn and shrimp (Pandalus spp.) by trap, 2025/2026 | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada". www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ [email protected]. "Spot Shrimp Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game". www.adfg.alaska.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "CA Marine Species Portal". marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "CA Marine Species Portal". marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "Spot Prawns". BC Spot Prawns. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ "What is Spot prawn? | Sushiblog－Sushiuniversity". 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
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