A show that examines the challenges facing Louisiana’s struggling shrimping industry is now available to be streamed at Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Producer Oscar Tickle says the episode is called Empty Boats, Foreign Shrimp.
“This episode of Louisiana Spotlight goes back and forth between being in the field with restaurateurs and shrimpers, talking about the struggle with imports and regulations,” Tickle said.
Tickle says an influx of imported shrimp has steadily driven down the value of the local catch, making it difficult for shrimpers to stay in business.
“If there’s anything I can say about local shrimpers, it’s that they are very strong and determined. They are not giving up, despite growing regulations and the falling value of the shrimp that they are catching,” Tickle said.
Louisiana provides 40% of U.S. Shrimp production, but the there are only about 1,500 licensed commercial shrimpers. Tickle says it’s an industry that does not have a bright future.
“People should be pretty concerned. There was just a report from NOAA that basically deemed shrimping, as a career, non-viable,” Tickle noted.
The episode can be viewed at PBS.org.