Shrimpers in the Gulf of Mexico reported an average haul for March compared to previous years, according to data from NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center. However, the harvest was not enough to keep the region from establishing a record-low quarter.
The agency released data last week showing fishermen from the five Gulf states harvested nearly 2.4 million pounds of shrimp last month. The 2.37 million-pound total is 0.3 percent higher than the 18-year average of 2.36 million for the month, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
Texas’ shrimpers led the way as they harvested 1.3 million pounds in March, more than 43 percent higher than the state’s historical average. For the first three months of 2019, Texas is now ahead of its normal production. The 3.1 million pounds harvested is 4.1 percent higher than average.
Alabama saw a 15 percent increase from its March average with the 420,000 pounds caught. For the year, its fishermen have reported catching nearly 1.8 million pounds, a 49.2 percent increase from its average for the first three months.
Louisiana reported 439,000 points, a .5 drop from its 2001-2018 average. While the state is about 500,000 pounds ahead of last year’s record-low quarter, the 1.2 million pounds harvested through March represents a 58.8 percent drop of the 18-year average and the second worst total in that timespan.
Florida’s Gulf coast fishermen caught just 228,000 pounds, a 65.6 percent drop from its average and the region’s lowest total dating back to 2001. Similarly, for the quarter, the region produced its lowest numbers dating back to 2001. The 701,000 pounds marks a 60.4 decline from its historical average.
Mississippi has yet to report any landings for 2019.
Combined, the 6.8 million pounds caught by Gulf shrimpers in the first quarter was the lowest total for the region since the 7.1 million pounds harvested in 2003. The 2019 total is 26.2 percent off the SSA’s historical average.
According to the SSA, the first quarter accounts for between 5-11 percent of the total annual catch in the Gulf.
