The fall season, when white shrimp are caught, typically closes in mid-December. Figures for the season’s catch will not be tabulated by state wildlife officials until into next year, but local processors are saying the season is shaping up to be one of the worst harvests in memory.
Overall production of white shrimp is down anywhere from 55 to 70 percent, this could severely impact packers. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
The culprit is two-fold. Decreased imports are partially driving the current situation and shrimp ponds worldwide are affected by disease, causing imports to be lower than ever.
That factor alone should be leading to healthy profit for local fisherman and processors, but that isn’t the case.
Overall production is down anywhere from 55 to 70 percent, said Danny Babin, Terrebonne Parish councilman and general manager at Gulf Fish Inc. in Houma.
What is causing the dip in production is unclear.
Three years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, some speculate it’s still taking a toll. Other fear increased flood protection efforts are changing the hydrology of the inland waters, causing fewer shrimp to end up in nets. Others speculate greater controls on finned fish are leaving more natural predators for shrimp in local waters.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hasn’t judged the white shrimp season that started in August.
Visitor Comments