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# Why are scientists concerned about Asian tiger shrimp in East Coast waters?

## Research is underway to determine if invasive Asian tiger shrimp  in U.S. Atlantic  waters pose a threat to native species or the environment.

Asian tiger shrimp are native to Pacific waters, but are now found along the southeast and Gulf coasts of the United States. Researchers are currently investigating the origin and possible impact of this invasive species.

Asian tiger  shrimp are native to Indo-Pacific, Asian, and Australian waters, but are now  found along the southeast and Gulf coasts of the United States. While small numbers of  this invasive species have been reported in U.S. waters for over a decade,  sightings have notably increased over the past few years.

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey  (USGS) and NOAA are now working with state agencies from North Carolina to Texas to  look into whether these shrimp carry disease, compete for the same food source, or prey directly on native shrimp. An  investigation is also underway to  determine how this transplanted species reached U.S. waters, and what is behind a recent rise in sightings of the non-native shrimp.

Scientists  have not yet officially deemed the Asian tiger shrimp "established" in U.S.  waters, and no one is certain what triggered the recent round of increased  sightings. The non-native shrimp species  may have escaped from aquaculture facilities; however, there are no known Asian  tiger shrimp farms presently in operation in the U.S.  Ballast water from ships has been suggested  as another pathway. Another possibility is that they are arriving on ocean  currents from wild populations in the Caribbean or even as far away as  Gambia, a west African nation where they are known to be established. 

With so many  alternative theories about where these shrimp are coming from and only a  handful of juveniles reported, it is hard for scientists to conclude whether  they are breeding or simply being carried in by currents.

To look for answers,  NOAA and USGS scientists are examining shrimp collected from the Gulf and  Atlantic coasts to look for subtle differences in their DNA, information which  could offer valuable clues to their origins. This is the first look at the  genetics of wild caught Asian tiger shrimp populations found in this part of  the U.S., and may shed light on whether there are multiple sources. 

NOAA  scientists are also launching a research effort to understand more about the  biology of these shrimp and how they may affect the ecology of native fisheries  and coastal ecosystems. As with all non-native species, there are concerns over  the potential for novel avenues of disease transmission and competition with  native shrimp stocks, especially given the high growth rates and spawning rates  compared with other species.
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If you see one or more shrimp suspected to be an Asian tiger shrimp, you can help the research effort by noting the location and filing a report of the sighting with the USGS. 

If possible, freeze a specimen to help confirm the identity and contribute to a tissue repository maintained by NOAA scientists.
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          - Invasive Asian tiger shrimp  
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**Last updated:**   01/20/23**Author:** NOAAHow to cite this article

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