The distinct flavors of Louisiana’s Gulf shrimp make them a favorite on family tables, but the industry behind them is facing mounting challenges, with many boats now sitting idle along the coast. Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) examines how we got here and what may lie ahead with the premiere of LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT: EMPTY BOATS, FOREIGN SHRIMP, airing Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 PM on LPB’s statewide network and on WLAE in New Orleans.
The viability of shrimping is reaching a critical point. An influx of imported shrimp has steadily driven down the value of the local catch, leaving shrimpers struggling to stay afloat. In an industry once passed down through generations, even finding deckhands has become difficult.
From declining profits to an aging fleet, this episode of LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT goes on the front lines of a changing industry, exploring the challenges shrimpers face and the innovations being tested to remain competitive, including the use of DNA technology to verify product origin.
Helping examine these issues are:
- Thomas Hymel – Executive Director, LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station
- Jeffrey Plumlee – Fisheries Specialist, Louisiana Sea Grant
- Paul Mladenka – Co-Owner, Couyons BBQ
- Kim Chauvin – Owner, Kim Chauvin’s Seafood Company
Christina Jensen, co-anchor of LPB’s weekly news magazine LOUISIANA: THE STATE WE’RE IN, hosts.
Streaming will be available the night of the broadcast premiere. Explore past episodes in this series at lpb.org/louisianaspotlight.
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