BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
About 20 days into the 2012 shrimp season, those in the seafood industry are calling the season so far "average." Weather conditions, primarily heavy winds have forced many boats to remain tied at the dock.
Over at Saint Michael's ice and fuel dock on Back Bay in Biloxi Monday, we caught up with one shrimp boat as it was unloaded. Captain Jerry Brumbaugh and his crew spent seven days out catching shrimp inside the barrier islands. He said it was very windy onboard his boat, the Santa Maria.
"Ever since the opening of the season, it's been windy," Brumbaugh said. "It's like a roller coaster out there. You feel dizzy and all beat up."
The shrimpers are not just fighting Mother Nature, the price of fuel is taking a bite out of profits.
"Right now, you can't take a false step. My boat burns 100 gallons a night. That's about $300. If you catch 500 pounds of shrimp, that's hardly enough for ice, groceries and labor," said Brumbaugh.
It's a tough way to make a living. Ted Luke with Saint Michael's said the seafood industry requires hard work and optimism.
"In the shrimp business, you can't give up. You have to keep being positive," Luke said.
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Weather conditions, mainly high winds, are making it tough on shrimpers 20 days into the 2012 shrimp season.
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