Thursday was the official start of South Carolina’s shrimping season, and Lowcountry fishermen are already out on the water looking for the best catch.
Veteran shrimpers like Craig Reaves, owner of Sea Eagle Market in Beaufort, S.C., left the docks last night to prepare for the morning low tide.
According to Jeff Brunson, crustacean manager for SCDNR, South Carolina's shrimping season is set to maximize the lucrative seafood economy.
There’s usually about 3.5 million lbs. harvested on a yearly basis," Brunson said, "and the value of that is in the $8-9 million range typically.
However, Craig Reaves, a veteran shrimper and owner of Sea Eagle Market, said that there aren’t as many local fishermen out on the water as there used to be.
Between the imports, over-regulation, and high fuel prices over the last couple of years," Reaves said. "It’s just getting harder and harder for the local fisherman to compete.
Reaves said that only seven percent of shrimp consumed in the U.S. is regionally sourced, and the local shrimpers are adapting to keep up sales.
We’re trying to do high-quality and doing niche markets," Reaves said, "which means we want the local seafood to stay in the local areas.
According to Reaves, it’s loyal Lowcountry residents who keep the industry afloat, and it's their commitment to consuming the local catch that keeps them coming back for more.