Standard Seafood raises shrimp using aquaculture techniques. Aquaculture is the method of raising aquatic animals or cultivating aquatic plants for food. Great care and strict processes are involved in raising our delectable shrimp. This takes place in three areas: the Hatchery, the Nursery and the Pond.

The Hatchery

Fertilized eggs grow under the abdomen of female shrimp. The eggs hatch approximately 21 days after spawning. These newly hatched shrimp must be moved into a more saline environment within 2 to 3 days.

The Nursery

These newly hatched shrimp are called larvae and they go through a phase of growth and metamorphosis in our Nursery. The nursery contains brackish, slightly saline water. There they undergo 11 molts, growing larger and transforming into post larvae (teenage shrimp!).

The Pond

The postlarvae are them transferred into large ponds, grow-out ponds, where they mature into adults. They are then harvested and taken to our processing plant Propesca, where we produce our "Excellent" and "Silver" graded shrimp products. The shrimp are rinsed, keeping the shell and head intact, packaged whole and frozen within an hour of harvesting.

Throughout the growth process the shrimp live in very controlled environments. Our dedicated personnel raise the shrimp in meticulously clean sites making sure their diet is administered correctly and their living environment is of the correct temperature and is composed of the correct salinity and trace elements. We baby our shrimp so your customers will be completely satisfied!

Standard Seafood’s farm-raised shrimp and live crab come from an area in Venezuela which is home to beautiful Lake Maracaibo. The rich waters of this fresh water lake are the perfect breeding grounds for producing delicious, contaminant-free shrimp and crabs.

The grow-out ponds for the shrimp are fed by the clean, clear water of Lake Maracaibo giving them the fresh palatable taste for which Standard Seafood is now famous.

Hatcheries and Nurseries:

We have several hatcheries and nurseries that are located around Lake Maracaibo, as well as in the pristine waters of Aruba and Bonaire.

Farms:

We currently have several farms that are located around Lake Maracaibo, among them are Ricoa Agromarina, Arapuey, La Esperanza, Monte Alto, Tomoporo and San Jose.