| | Keith Ott of New Iberia buys a bag of shrimp from Terrell Melancon at the Bayou Carlin Cove. Photo by Bruce Schultz |
| | | Shrimp is weighed during a sale at the Bayou Carlin Cove. Buyers are using the Delcambre Direct Seafood website to find out when shrimp boats will be arriving with a fresh catch. Photo by Bruce Schultz |
| | | Tate and Janet Grossie remove the heads from shrimp on their boat as another shrimp boat arrives at the Port of Delcambre. Photo by Bruce Schultz |
| | | Shrimper Terrell Melancon, at left, helps Tom Dorman carry an ice chest full of shrimp at the Bayou Carlin Cove. Photo by Bruce Schultz |
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News Release Distributed 08/20/15
DELCAMBRE, La. – The first week of shrimp season is providing the chance for consumers to buy shrimp off the boats here.
One of those consumers, Tom Dorman, who lives near Delcambre, was buying an ice chest full of shrimp on Aug. 19. He said he watches the Delcambre Direct Seafood program website, Delcambredirectseafood.com, to find out when shrimp will be available from the boats.
“It’s the best thing going,” he said. “All you’ve got to do to get an order is figure out when the boats are coming in. And there’s no doubt these shrimp were caught here.”
Thomas Hymel, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant fisheries agent, said the Delcambre Direct program has been an asset at linking buyers with sellers. “This is a great opportunity for consumers to get the shrimp they like at a great price.”
Some of the shrimpers are using a new dock facility, Bayou Carlin Cove, on the south end of Delcambre. Many shrimpers are using an online program to let consumers know when they will be returning to port with a boatload of shrimp. Buyers who want to place an order can call the boat owners or notify them online.
Several boats are also docked at the Richard Street location in Delcambre, and some shrimpers in Delcambre Direct sell shrimp from their homes.
Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant fisheries agent, said shrimpers are facing a tough market as imports have increased recently.
“Imports are up, landings are not quite as good as it has been in the past couple of years, and the prices are definitely worse this year,” Shirley said.
Shrimpers who trawl in offshore waters usually have to sell their catch to large processors, getting a lower price, Shirley said. “They sell in direct competition with the imported shrimp.”
But shrimpers can make money by selling directly to consumers, he said. That’s what Tate and Janet Grossie were doing Wednesday, selling shrimp off their 47-foot boat, the Lil Lugger.
Tate Grossie said the new dock facility provides buyers with a clean area for the boats and ample parking. “This is nice, and it’s going to work out well.”
Keith Ott, of New Iberia, said he uses the Delcambre Direct Facebook page to buy shrimp. He was buying 5 pounds of jumbo shrimp on Aug. 19 from Terrell Melancon, who shrimps on the Good Gulf boat.
Ott said he prefers to buy directly from a shrimper. “You know you’re getting it from the Gulf of Mexico and not China, plus you’re helping the local economy.”
Melancon, a third generation shrimper, said he scooped up 2,500 pounds of shrimp on Aug. 17 in Vermilion Bay. He said he sold some of his catch to a processor for only 75 cents a pound, and the rest will be sold to consumers from his boat, ranging from $2.50 to $4 a pound, depending on the size.
Melancon said he jumped aboard the Delcambre Direct program when it first came out three years ago. He said the program has been a success. “I’ve had people come from Colorado and buy 150 pounds.”
Eddie Duet, of Scott, was buying 150 pounds. As a retired boat captain and shrimper, he said he empathizes with those remaining in the business despite the increasing expenses and low prices. But the Delcambre Direct program is helping them stay in business and providing an opportunity to buy fresh seafood at a good price, he said.
“I’m happy for them, and I’m happy for me,” Duet said.
Tammy Gordon, community relations coordinator for the Port of Delcambre, said nine boats at the docks on Aug. 20 were selling to buyers from as far away as Marksville. “We have a couple of boats sold out, and they’re ready to go back out.”
She said as much as 15,000 pounds have been sold since the season opened, and Delcambre Direct has helped move the catch. “It’s been a big plus for them.”
Bruce Schultz |