The black tiger shrimp is characterized by its firm but tender meat and has a slightly sweet, nutty aroma.
The open shell protects the prawn’s meat from direct heat and releases flavours during cooking.
High-quality black tiger shrimps from a responsible source, raised in the traditional manner and in harmony with nature – that is our idea and understanding of sustainable farming. Not far from the world's largest mangrove forest, our black tiger shrimps grow in their natural habitat. Here, in the south-western regions of Bangladesh, Paikgacha and Debhata, we work with around 1,400 small scale farmers to turn our idea into a reality.
The smallholders cultivate comparatively small areas, averaging around 1.2 hectares, and use the course of nature. Due to the low stocking density of one to two shrimps per square meter, the shrimps can cover their food requirements directly from the existing ecosystem.
Known as extensive aquaculture, there is no need to add feed or medication. We support the farms in producing a high-quality product.
How can we support small scale farmers?
With central distribution stations, we enable small scale farmers to sell their product safely and at fair prices through short delivery routes. Once they arrive at the central distribution station, the shrimps are checked for quality, sorted and cooled. By doing this, we guarantee a high standard of quality on the transportation routes.
To further promote sustainability and social standards, we help farmers join the ASC's training program, the AIP (Aquaculture Improver Programme), to qualify for possible ASC certification.
Normally, larger farms with many times the production of a small scale farmer undergo such certification.
In our Luna Shrimp Farms project, we are therefore working on bundling many small scale farmers into groups to work together on implementing the ASC standards. In an initial pilot project, we formed five groups of 25 smallholders each to prepare for ASC certification. ASC has developed a credible framework, the Improver Programme by ASC, to accommodate and support aquaculture farming that are not ready or eligible for ASC certification but are committed to improving their farming practices through an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP).
Our shrimps are known as giant shrimps for good reason. They can reach a maximum body length of up to 33 cm and are decapod crustaceans from the "Penaeidae" family.
The crustaceans live nocturnally and hide in the seabed during the day. At night, they leave their hiding places to search for food or hunt. The animals moult their shells every three to four weeks. The striped back armour is also renewed.
In culinary terms, black tiger shrimps play in the top league and are therefore an integral part of Michelin-starred cuisine. It is characterized by its firm but tender flesh and has a slightly sweet, nutty aroma. It is also rich in protein and low in calories.
When cooked, the black tiger shrimp takes on a strong red-orange colour.
The word "Luna" means moon. But what does the moon have to do with our shrimps? The moon has a very big influence on nature and therefore also on our shrimps, as it is decisive for their activity.
Our shrimps are very active during the new and full moon phases, which last 6 days each. They move close to the seabed and search for food. This is the ideal time for small scale farmers to catch the shrimps. They do so by setting up traps in the form of cages, into which the shrimp run independently and completely stress-free.
At half moon or other phases, however, they are less active and go into hiding.
These natural processes and the influence of the moon on our shrimp have been decisive for the name of our brand "Luna Shrimp Farms".
Would you like to find out where you can buy our product or find out more about us and our products? Feel free to contact us and get in touch.