Fishing for shrimp and prawns has existed for centuries. Trawlers come in many sizes up to 59 feet. In the United States, shrimp and prawn fisheries are second only to crab fishing in terms of importance.

In the northern parts of the country, cold-water shrimp are targeted, while warm-water species are targeted along the south-eastern Atlantic coast, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the production is of warm-water species.