January 26, 2006

Even though shrimp harvests and prices have been relatively stable the past two years, shrimp farmers are disappointed with their latest catch as high costs and foreign competition have driven down profits, the Beaufort Gazette reported.

As the US shrimp harvesting season came to a close last Saturday, official figures put the shrimp catch at figures close to that of the 1,500 tonnes caught in 2004. The season can last from April through February but can be ended early by the natural resources department. This season started in June.

The average market value this season stood at about US$5.75 /kilogramme, US$0.07/kilogramme higher than the previous year's average, according to the department.

High operating expenses and competition from foreign imports continue to cripple the American shrimp harvesting market. Unless more restaurants and grocery chains buy American shrimp, the industry will flounder, said Clay Cable of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association.

Willian Gay, a shrimp harvester said that 10 years ago, an average of 6,000 tonnes could be brought in each season while this year less than 1,000 tonnes have been brought in. He said the lower catch is not due to the lack of shrimp resources in the sea but because high costs of such operations put limitations on fishing.

It is estimated that while costs have doubled from those 20 years ago, prices have fallen 30 percent during that time.