Historical Records of Shallow-Water Shrimp Landings in the Colombian Caribbean: 1993-2023

This database contains information on the landings of the shallow-water shrimp fishery in the Colombian Caribbean, with monthly records available from 1993 to 2023. The data include the year and month of landing, the common names of the species caught, their commercial presentation, and the quantity landed in tons. According to historical information, there is no consistency in taxonomy. Common names and their corresponding species are described as follows: From 1993 to 1998: Red shrimp: Penaeus (Farfantepenaeus) notialis, Pleoticus robustus; White shrimp: Penaeus (Farfantepenaeus) duorarum, Penaeus (Farfantepenaeus) aztecus, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) setiferus, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) schmitti; Tití shrimp: Xiphopenaeus kroyeri; Shrimp (Trachypenaeus): T. similis, T. constrictus; In the year 1999: Red shrimp: Pleoticus robustus; White shrimp: P. (Litopenaeus) schmitti; Shrimp (Trachypenaeus): T. similis, T. constrictus; From 2007 onward: Pink shrimp: P. (Farfantepenaeus) notialis; White shrimp: P. (Litopenaeus) schmitti. In the year 2023 only "shrimp" is recorded, encompassing different species of the Penaeidae family. Currently, these species are taxonomically identified as: Pink shrimp (P. notialis) and White shrimp (P. schmitti). The records also mention the term "national shrimp," which refers to a group of species that did not meet the minimum size for international trade and were destined for local markets. Additionally, the recorded landings originate from vessels using trawl nets, with Cartagena as their main port. In the early years, the nets were made of polyamide with headrope lengths (HRL) ranging from 65 to 90 feet. Later, flat or semi-balloon polyethylene (PE) nets with HRLs of 42 to 46 feet were introduced. A smaller fleet of trawlers operating from Tolú adopted net designs with HRLs of 37 and 42 feet.