What are the biggest challenges facing Gulf Coast shrimpers and crabbers right now, and what solutions are being developed?

Both species have healthy population levels, but both sectors are facing major challenges. Gulf Coast shrimp is really impacted by imported product. With 80-90% of shrimp imported, domestic shrimp can’t set the price point. An influx of imports over the years has dropped prices to record lows.

Crab price is better, but both crabbers and shrimpers are facing the same price increases on everything, just like we are at the store. Diesel or gas, bait, etc. have all gone up, including insurance. Labor has become a major program as both sectors face graying of the fleet with very few young people entering the fisheries.

Many boats can’t find enough deckhand labor. This is also the case for processors on land. Both are also impact by storms.

Between cost, insurance (or lack thereof), and an aging industry, infrastructure for both shrimp and crab is decreasing across the coast.