I960). By 1920, Louisiana's total shrimp catch was 14.5 million kg (32 million pounds) — 

 nearly twice as great as the preceding year (Viosca I 920; Padgett I 960). 



Prior to the availability of ice and modern freezing techniques, shrimp caught in 

 southeast Louisiana's fishing grounds were taken to one of the numerous drying platforms 

 to be dried, packaged, and sold. Although plagued by frequent hurricanes and a declining 

 market, Barataria, Timbalier, Terrebonne, Caillou, and Atchafalaya bays, as late as 1962, 

 supported 23 shrimp drying platforms (Pillsbury 1964). Three years later, a mere 16 

 remained. Less than 5 now survive and operate only intermittently (Davis 1976). 



With more sophisticated boats and equipment, the shrimp harvest has grown 

 rapidly. Expansion of the industry resulted in the shrimp becoming the most valuable 

 seafood in Louisiana. The catch is second only to menhaden in quantity, but first in 

 dollar value. Since 1880, Louisiana has led the gulf states in shrimp catch 69% of the 

 time (Barrett and Gillespie 1973). This catch is worth from $100 to $140 million annually 

 (Larson et al. 1980). 



Despite a fairly stable commercial shrimp harvest, the yearly catch per fisherman 

 has declined. Recent data suggests that the catch is directly related to the available 

 marsh vegetation. Loss of this vegetation has a direct negative impact on this fishery. 

 In short, loss of marsh reduces shrimp production and with time the industry appears to 

 be in danger (Fruge 1981). One of the country's richest nursery grounds may be lost and a 

 centuries old fishing tradition will disappear. 



Oysters. The oyster industry relies almost totally on one species, the American 

 oyster TCrassostrea virginica Gmelin). Other species do not contribute significant 

 amounts to the catch. Since 1939, when Louisiana's oysterman harvested more than 5.8 

 million kg (13 million pounds) (Lyies 1967), the catch statistics have fluctuated 

 dramatically, with a general decline in production (Van Sickle et al. 1976; Dugas 1977). 

 Louisiana currently leads the gulf states in production, with an average yield of about 4 

 million kg (9 million pounds) of meat yearly. This figure has remained constant over the 

 last 20 years with only severe environmental catastrophies influencing the harvest. 

 Although environmental problems occasionally affect production, such as diverting the 

 sediment-laden waters of the Mississippi through the Bonne Carre Spillway into Lake 

 Pontchartrain. Louisiana generally ranks second nationally (after Maryland) in yields. 

 Dockside value of Louisiana's oyster harvest is between $3 million and $4 million annually 

 (LyIes 1967; U.S. Department of Commerce 1968-1975). 



As oystermen are "farmers of the sea", they must contend with a number of forces 

 that can destroy the crop (Gunter 1955). The oyster has a number of enemies. The 

 oyster drill, or boring snail (Thais haemostoma and 1_. floridana ) locally known as a 

 "conch" and the saltwater drum (Pogonias cromis) are at the top of the "unwanted list" 

 (McConnell and Kavanagh 1941; Waldo 1957; Van Sickle et al. 1976; Dugas 1977). The 

 deadly drill occurs over a wide area in Louisiana's oyster bedding waters, but it must 

 have high salinities to survive (Burkenroad 1931; Goltsoff 1964). The saltwater drum is 

 another unwanted predator that congregates in large schools whose collective appetite 

 can destroy a bedding ground in a single night (Van Sickle et al. 1976). Both predator 

 problems are saltwater dependent. 



Although oyster culture is plagued by a number of problems, the oyster fisherman 

 continues to be the backbone of this commercial fishing industry. Along the bayous of 

 south Louisiana oyster luggers are part of the waterfront landscape. They represent a 

 commitment to harvesting the oyster in much the same way as the Lafitte skiff relates 



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