Tag Archives: shrimp processors

Louisiana shrimpers forced to gamble their livelihood to stay in the industry

Craig Theriot looks out at the Gulf of Mexico as his boat is fueled up. It’s the waters he’s worked his entire life. If anything breaks in the next 10 days, he’ll never be able to work her waters again.”I’m leaving tomorrow. I don’t make much money, but it’s a check,” Theriot said Feb. 27. “Hopefully we don’t have a breakdown, ‘cuz if we get a breakdown, I’m done. You can put me on the shelf.” The life and work that he loves is in jeopardy, more now than any other year. Boats are being sold, and processors are closing their doors, all because of the record low prices. Imports are driving the American shrimper out of the market, and Theriot doesn’t want to give it up waiting and watching his savings dwindle. He’d rather go out working. more, >>click to read<< 08:20

Shrimp fishery set to begin with financial loss – could be larger if boats stay at the wharf

Association of Seafood Producers president Derek Butler said the start of the fishery has been driven by a sense of responsibility among everyone that relies on the fishery to make a living. Butler said those involved in the fishery had time to decide whether or not they wanted to open, and understand this season will bring almost guaranteed financial loss. The Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ original price offer was $1.18 per pound, while processors countered with 70 cents per pound. In the end, a hearing settled on $1.08, but the ASP said that number still means losses for processors. However, Butler said the losses could be larger if boats don’t leave the wharf this season. >click to read< 16:52

Canadian shrimp processors face survival test on falling quotas

maine shrimpThe shrinking quotas for coldwater shrimp in Canadian waters, and the connected rising prices, mean raw materials cannot sustain the current number of plants, industry sources have warned. The inshore fishery quota has declined from some 175-180 million pounds in 2009/10 to 85m in 2014, and sources within the processing sector are agreed that this is . Read more here 08:54

Certified Authentic Louisiana shrimp proves challenging

That Certified Authentic Louisiana label that you might see on bags of seafood at grocery stores is as much about survival for the state’s shrimp processors, who count on being able to sell at higher prices than foreign importers. But some processors aren’t finding it easy to earn the label because their whole operation has to be related to Louisiana. Read more here 22:51