HOUSTON – The monster Asian Tiger Shrimp is quickly becoming a huge threat to marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
They are about a foot long and weigh around half a pound. Tens of thousands are likely of these giant shrimp are swimming in the Gulf and devouring the native shrimp.
"In their native habitat, they eat shrimp and crab and our concern is they will eat our shrimp and our crab," said Leslie Hartman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Shrimpers from Louisiana to Texas are finding these giant shrimp, but it's a mystery how they got into the area.
"We are seeing many more than we have ever seen before," said Hartman.
Texas Parks and Wildlife researchers said there's no way to know for sure how the Asian Tiger Shrimp will affect the Gulf's ecosystem, but they said by the time we find out, it will be too late.
"We don't know what's going to happen, and that's the scary part," said Hartman.
Researchers said anyone who finds an Asian Tiger Shrimp should not throw it back in the Gulf and should contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 800-792-1112.