If it weren’t for such rough winds right now – gale-force winds in Charleston Harbor and 14-foot swells offshore – every shrimp boat captain alive would be pulling out of Shem Creek, McClellanville, etc. right now, especially with the reduced [sic] fuel prices.
Those that do make it out will be rewarded with a nice catch – assuming everything goes according to plan – because SCDNR officials say shrimp have been keeping their own out in the ocean – the question, “is how many boats are gonna be out there to catch them?”
SCDNR also says that the in-water catch rate of immature loggerheads has been increasing, which at first sounds alarming, but then you realize it means management efforts such as nest protection and the required use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED’s) in commercial shrimp trawl nets may be paying off.
April 27, 2009
Shrimpers appeal to D.C. for relief funds
With all the fun at yesterdays “Blessing of the Fleet”, it’s easy to forget the real reason behind the annual event: to provide some help to our local shrimpers and wish them well in the coming season.
Unfortunately, that has become more and more of a real-world dilemma lately, as catch numbers continue to dwindle, and it’s because of that, and the local market being flooded with imported shrimp – which forces rock bottom prices for our local fishermen – that Captain Wayne Magwood, long time professional shrimper, has more than last year’s $4 fuel prices to complain about now.
March 21, 2009
Mt. Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet 2009
The 22nd annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival will be 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 at Alhambra Hall. As always, it celebrates the historic Mount Pleasant shrimping industry with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and shrimp boat parade, and other activities. For the first time, several activities will be held the week leading up to Sunday’s main Blessing of the Fleet event.
2009 “Blessing of the Fleet” Schedule of Events
April 21 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Create a Masterpiece – The Week of the Fleet
Go to Bottles ‘N Brushes to paint a themed painting for the Week of the Fleet.
424 Broadway St. in Orchard Plaza, Mount Pleasant.
Reservations suggested: 345-7365. Fee: $35.
Refreshments available. Adults only.
January 26, 2009
‘Carolina Caught’ captures S.C. shrimping industry
ETV’s first HD production will air next month, Thursday the 19th at 9p.m.
“Carolina Caught” says there is still hope for South Carolina’s shrimping industry:
- Jane Webb, of the Charleston-based S.C. Shrimpers Association Marketing Board’ has said the group’s efforts have managed to place tariffs against six different countries that import their pond-raised shrimp
- SCDNR researchers at the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton have developed new and improved ways to produce locally-grown pond shrimp here in the U.S.
- Regarding wild-caught shrimp, Beaufort restaurateur Lantz Price predicts they might rise to the preferred status of a “boutique” product, sold only to finer restaurants, giving shrimpers a price per pound they can live with.
