Price is down sharply, but shrimpers optimistic about volume of harvest

摘要

Despite healthy resources, West Coast shrimpers will likely have to endure rock-bottom ex-vessel prices until the global economy gets back on its feet. And as the industry waits for the economy to recover, it stands to reason that less shrimp will becaught. That should mean bigger shrimp and greater volume will be available for better times ahead. But first the bad news: The fleet saw ex-vessel offers of just 31 cents per pound in 2009. That's down sharply from the 54 cents per pound shrimpers received in 2008.