December 29, 2005

US seafood appetite little comfort for local aquaculture

According to a recent study by the National Fisheries Institute, US appetites for fresh fish, boiled shrimp and raw oysters are growing stronger than ever.

This, however, hardly spells good news for the main commercial aquaculture centres in southern Louisiana, which have been hard hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita this year. Losses from the hurricanes' devastation amounted to an estimated US$2 billion at least, say local officials.

Louisiana traditionally supplies the country some 10 percent of its seafood.

The impact on domestic seafood production could be much more far-reaching, say industry experts, who predict that imports might eventually overtake domestic supplies as many local fishing and aquaculture businesses close-down permanently in the wake of the deadly storms.

Damages to docks and processing plants had halted any possible aquaculture activity, forcing many out of the business. Both hurricanes have inflicted what is undoubtedly the worst impact on the US fisheries and aquaculture industry.

In 2004, total US seafood consumption per capital hit a record 16.6 pounds, up from 16.3 pounds in the previous year, said the National Marine Fisheries Service. Shrimp consumption averaged 4.2 pounds per person in 2004, up from 4 pounds in 2003.