Giant Shrimps Invade U.S. Waters (VIDEOS)

The favourite Japanese dish Tempura normally uses large shrimps or prawns, which are expensive, explaining the high-price of this fancy menu. Soon, Tempuras may be longer since foot-long shrimps the size of a man's forearm have invaded U.S. waters.

These are Asian tiger shrimps that were spotted from North Carolina to Texas along the U.S. coast. These sea creatures are endemic to Indo-Pacific, Asian and Australian waters.

Business Insider theorises that the giant shrimps could have escaped from aquaculture facilities in the U.S. or Caribbean, or drifted from as far as west Africa.

It was first noticed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1988, traced to a South Carolina aquaculture facility where 2,000 pieces were accidentally released.

Although it is still unclear if the giant shrimps are successfully breeding or drifting on currents, there are indicators that it has started to breed based on scientists' sighting of young Asian tiger shrimps in the marshes of Mobile Bay in Alabama for more than 10 years now.

NOAA said the Asian tiger shrimps are predators and eat crabs, clams and other shrimps, including the smaller U.S. shrimp. With the advent of the native white shrimp season, NOAA is asking American fishermen to take note where they find the giant shrimps, record how many they catch and send in photos.

Business Insider stresses that the giant shrimps are edible and taste good.