September 26, 2005

US's Louisiana seafood industry devastated by Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina has devastated Louisiana State's seafood industry, which reportedly produced about 35 percent of North America's oysters, 46 percent of its shrimp and 28 percent of its blue crabs.

Besides the destruction of fishing infrastructure, equipment and boats, industry participants have also been prohibited from fishing until government experts could determine whether the filthy water has contaminated the seafood.

About 4,800 commercial fishers in Louisiana were reportedly affected by this disaster.

Louisiana's seafood industry was worth about US$3 billion. Katrina reportedly destroyed nearly 99 percent of the state's oyster population.

Also, the state's shrimp sector reportedly expected losses of about US$540 million during this year's shrimp season, which started recently and would last through November.

In total, local authorities estimated that Louisiana's seafood industry would suffer losses of at least US$1.1 billion next year alone. This included infrastructure damages and losses incurred by seafood distributors and retailers.