While the shrimps want Higher prices, others in the seafood industry have opposed it. Maine’s governor has raised concerns about Canada’s reprisals, the largest trading partner in the state. The National Fisheries Institute, a professional association, is also wary of seafood prices, noting that they could cause inflation.
John Sackton, an industry analyst who directs a publication called Seafood Source, has cited a recent survey showing that consumers are more likely to reduce meals in restaurants and buy cheaper grocery products when they try to spend less.
“We depend on people who strike the seafood counter instead of passing,” he said. “If this economy type of headwind follows, seafood is very bad.”
Regardless of what is happening with the prices, a certain relief could soon happen to Bayou the batter as another main industry, shipbuilding, should develop. An expansion of the shipyard should create 136 jobs in the coming years.
Standing on the porch of his net shop, an old church, Barnes said that he prays for things to improve for shrimp. He thinks he will have to see Wednesday.
“People will be happy or sad or others,” he said. “I hope we are some of the happy people.”
