Based on biological and fishery data, including reproduction areas and seasons, growth, recruitment, and fishery concentration, three independent populations have been recognized in Argentine waters for Argentine red shrimp: Mar del Plata, Bahía Blanca and Patagonia (Boschi, 1997). This profile is relative to the Patagonian stock.

The existence of three stock subunits within the Patagonian stock was recently suggested (De Carli et al., 2012), however evidence is considered not sufficient and a need for population genetic analysis was indicated to confirm this proposed population structure in Patagonian waters. Meanwhile, the Argentine red shrimp population from 43º S to 47°S is considered and managed as a single stock (INIDEP, 2014).

Within the spatial range of distribution of the Patagonian stock, there are several fishing areas for different segments of the fleet and with different jurisdictions, whether national, provincial or based on interprovincial agreements. The industrial fleet and the artisanal fleet of bottom trawlers <21m are covered separately in this profile.