Why are shrimp referred to as 'pink gold of the sea'?

Shrimp are referred to as «pink gold» since commercial fishing began in the 1950s, because of their distinctive pink color. www.tastingtable.com

The delicate color is due to astaxanthin, a carotenoid that is found in the microalgae and phytoplankton they feed on. www.yahoo.com As pink shrimp get cooked, the heat releases these carotenoids from the protein chains that cover them, thus intensifying the color of the shrimp's flesh. www.yahoo.com

Pink shrimp are also popular because of their sweet and tender meat, with their sweetness more pronounced than that of white shrimp. www.yahoo.com