Acetes

Lore & Background

The genus Acetes is characterized by the loss of the fourth and fifth pairs of pereiopods. Individuals are small, translucent, with a pair of black eyes and red pigment spots on the uropods. Their eggs are green and swell to twice their original size or more during development. Eggs hatch early in the year, and the larvae grow, mature, and spawn within the same year.

In Southeast Asia, Acetes are known by various local names: ruốc in Vietnam, rebon in Indonesia, geragau in Malaysia, bubuk in Brunei, and alamang in the Philippines. The genus includes 14 species, among them Acetes japonicus (paste shrimp), Acetes indicus (Jawala paste shrimp), and Acetes paraguayensis, the freshwater species from South America.

Fishers primarily use push nets, bag nets, and seines, both from boats and from the shore. Many species are fished commercially, and different species are often not discriminated in the catch. Only a small proportion is sold fresh; most is dried, salted, or fermented into shrimp paste.

Reader's Guide

Acetes holds exceptional significance as the most heavily fished genus of crustacean, with global production reaching 558124 tonnes in 2008. Its species, particularly Acetes japonicus, account for the largest tonnage of any wild shrimp or prawn and represent the majority of non-human animals killed for food by number of individuals. This immense harvest is driven by the demand for shrimp paste in Southeast Asia, where the prawns are processed into a fermented product containing 16.2% protein and 1.3% fat. The preparation method involves washing the catch, mixing it with salt (4–5 lb per 100 lb of prawns), crushing the mixture, packing it into containers for about four hours, then repacking and maturing it for a month before final crushing and sale. The paste can be stored for up to six months with monthly mincing. Despite the genus's vast ecological and economic footprint, its species are often not distinguished in fisheries, and the freshwater species Acetes paraguayensis highlights the genus's adaptability beyond marine habitats. The legacy of Acetes is thus tied to both its role as a cornerstone of artisanal and industrial fisheries and its centrality to traditional foodways across Southeast Asia.

Did You Know?

• Acetes paraguayensis is a freshwater species found in South America.
• The resulting shrimp paste contains 16.2% protein and 1.3% fat.