Lousiana seafood landings were down 50 percent between January and October of 2010, according to the latest numbers from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
Compared to the annual average, shrimp, oysters and crab landings fell 54 percent, 52 percent and 50 percent, respectively. In addition, instead of the average 114.5 million pounds of shrimp that is usually landed, only 53 million pounds were caught during the 10-month period last year.
However, Randy Pausina, LDWF assistant secretary, is quick to point out that no conclusions can be drawn as to what actually caused it, and that additional information is needed to determine how much of the reduced catch was caused by biological factors versus a drop in fishing due to fisheries closures as a result of the oil spill.
In addition, a recent marketing survey commissioned by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing board found that more than 70 percent of consumers polled nationally expressed some level of concern about the safety of Gulf seafood following the spill, and 23 percent are eating less seafood as a result.
