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Louisiana’s 2015 white shrimp season started off reasonably well Monday, in terms of shrimp abundance.
Although fishermen trawling waters inside the state’s three-mile limit said there certainly were shrimp for the catching, news of what docks would be paying for their catches was disheartening, and in some ways worse than the spring season that saw many boats tying up rather than incur expenses that might not be returned.
“The only ones got a chance is whoever can retail them,” said Ferrell Martin, as he prepared to leave a spot near Lake Pelto for waters farther out, where he might find larger shrimp.
On the inshore bays of Terrebonne Parish a healthy concentration of boats circled each other on the opening morning, trawl booms extended, pausing occasionally to reel in their nets before letting them fly behind the boats yet again. In Lake Pelto a small pod of dolphins repeatedly surfaced and dove, staying just far enough from the boats to avoid conflict.
Some of the boats, camped out in position to be ready for the 6 a.m.opening, endured some heavy downpours before dawn. By noon Monday skies had begun to clear.
Dock prices were as low as $2 per pound for prime sizes of shrimp that usually fetch more than twice – and sometimes three times – that amount.
Low prices of imported shrimp have devastated domestic shrimpers, who are being paid low prices by docks already well-stocked on shrimp they can’t move at a good price to their buyers.
“Two hundred pounds about thirty one, thirty five (per pound.) shrimper Kim Lirette said of his first attempt. “Not too bad for a 45 minute pull.”
A shrimp boat begins picking up its nets in Lake Pelto near Bay St. Elaine in Terrebonne Parish Monday, the first day of Louisiana’s fall shrimp season, during which white shrimp are targeted.
