BURAS, La. (This Week in Louisiana Agriculture) — The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force is taking a closer look at the fall inshore shrimp season as economic pressures continue weighing on shrimpers and dock operators.
Dominick “Rocky” Ditcharo III, owner of Ditcharo’s La. Wild Caught Shrimp, says the year started strong before business slowed dramatically. Higher fuel costs have made it more expensive for shrimpers to stay on the water, while shrimp prices have also remained under pressure.
Ditcharo says the industry has yet to see the benefit of duties collected following an anti-dumping case involving foreign shrimp. He also worries about the industry’s future as longtime fishermen retire and fewer younger people enter the business.
The fall shrimp season typically runs from mid-August through mid-December.
