Shrimpers across the state have been complaining about foreign imports that are driving prices to a thirty year low.
Shrimpers with larger boats say they’re aiming for higher quantities to unload at processing plants on the Gulf Coast, while shrimpers with smaller boats are trying to build networks in communities by selling directly to the public.
“With a bigger boat you can chase bigger shrimp to get more money for them. There’s nothing but little shrimp closer to land, the beach where the small boats gotta stay. I mean it’s all they can do really,” said Marty LeBlanc.
LeBlanc who is the Captain of the St. June, and this year’s 68th Annual Shrimp Festival King, says he goes into The Gulf for weeks at a time to bring in large quantities to a processing plant in Port Arthur, Texas.
“You kinda getting rid of the middle man, so I do get a little better price you know, because I don’t sell any of my shrimp to the public,” said LeBlanc.
However, selling directly to the public is key for some shrimpers of smaller boats such as Captain of the Lil Man, Rene Gregoire.
“The prices at the processing plant are terrible. If I wasn’t selling to the public we wouldn’t make it,” said Gregoire.
To make sure you never miss a fresh catch, you can follow “Delcambre Direct Seafood” on Facebook.
The page allows shrimpers to post when they’re coming back to the docks and how much they’re selling per pound.
