Shrimp prices in the US have climbed almost 63% since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill because of fishing bans, according to reports.

 

Shrimp costs US$3.25 a pound compared with US$2 earlier this year. Some fishing boats are being diverted to help with the oil spill cleanup, the reports said.

 

Prices of shrimp were rising before the oil spill, in part because of production problems in Asia. The US government also barred wild-caught shrimp from Mexico because crews were allegedly failing to take measures to prevent sea turtles from getting caught in nets. Coincidentally, the ban went into effect the same day as the rig explosion that triggered the spill.

 

Louisiana's shrimp, its biggest seafood item, is down to just 30% of normal production, according to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board.