Tag Archives: Port of Brownsville
Valley shrimping companies looking for a way out
Rio Grande Valley shrimpers say they’re ready to sell off their fleets. For years, they’ve faced big losses, and they’re still waiting for help. At the Port of Brownsville, the dock owned by Reyes Trawlers Inc. is one of the few shrimping companies still running most of its boats. The shrimping industry has faced several years of high fuel prices, problems getting worker visas and competition from cheap imports. For many, it’s time to get out of the business. “I 
am almost 73 years old, been doing this since I was 17 years old, and yes I would like to get out today. There’s no profit anymore. I’m just here just because, I’m losing money. For the last three years I’ve lost money,” Reyes Trawlers Inc. owner Carlton Reyes said. Reyes is running five out of six vessels, while many other shrimpers have their fleet docked and unable to work. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:14
Shrimping industry facing historic challenges
Andrea Hance, executive director of the Texas Shrimp Association, headquartered at the Port of Brownsville, said in April that the high cost of fuel was preventing a lot of boats from going out. The price of fuel has fallen in recent weeks, though in a case of unfortunate timing some owners filled up before prices starting dropping, she said. With a typical fuel tank capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 gallons, 10 or 15 cents either way makes a big difference, said Hance, who owns two shrimp boats with her husband, Preston. One of the boats is in dock for repairs and the other was filled up at $4.40 a gallon of diesel — before it started coming down, she said. >click to read< 10:04
Inflation is affecting the fishing business in Brownsville, Texas
You probably know inflation is accelerating. Prices rose an average 8.5% in March compared to a year earlier, more than in February, January and so on. We’ll get to high – how higher fuel, transportation and food costs are affecting the country as a whole. But first, let’s begin with a close-up view in Brownsville, Texas. Here at the Port of Brownsville, it’s fairly quiet, except for the shorebirds. Most shrimp boats are stuck in port. Charles Burnell and his son Kyle run the Shrimp Outlet on Brownsville’s coastal edge. Earlier this week, one of their boats returned with $100,000 worth of shrimp, a slightly above average catch. But Kyle explains, the money had been essentially spent by the time it got back to the dock. >click to read< 09:12
Elderly Man in Serious Condition after Falling Off Shrimp Boat
A man who fell into the water at the shrimp basin near the Port of Brownsville is in serious condition. The Brownsville Fire deputy chief said the man is in his late 60s to early 70s. He had no identification on him. Boat owner, Marcelino Ochoa, said the man fell into the water when he was trying to get on the boat and lost his footing just before 9:00 a.m. Ochoa said two workers jumped into the water to rescue the man. He said they’re having to count on older workers this season because of the new restrictions on worker permits for people coming from Central America. click here for short video 14:42
Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection continue escorting 85 Mexican vessels to safe harbor
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection crews escorted 53 Mexican shrimping vessels into the Port of Brownsville Saturday and are escorting another 32 Mexican vessels into port Sunday. more@uscgnews 12:26
