The Key West Citizen

DANGER OF SHRIMP INDUSTRY COLLAPSE

Florida's shrimp beds are not nearing depletion. This was the positive statement made by Dr. C. P. Idyll of the Marine Laboratory of the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.

Asked to comment on rumors that Florida's No. 1 seafood resource was disappearing. Dr. Idyll stated that he saw no danger of this fishery, collapsing.

He showed figures for shrimp landings from the Key West - Tortugas grounds, revealing that in both 1953 and 1954 catches of about 17,500,000 pounds were made.

This figure is not far below the record of 19,000,000 pounds made in 1951, the second year of the fishery operation.

1952 Decrease

A sharp decrease in landings in 1952 to 11,000,000 pounds was cited as one principal cause for the concern over the possible disappearance of shrimp in the Key West region.

Also, while total landings, both from the Key West and Campeche grounds off Mexico, have shown no real decline, there is no doubt that fishermen's earnings have gone down. This is due to lower average catches per boat and to lower prices for shrimp which have prevailed during the past 18 months.

The lower catches per boat must be expected, said Dr. Idyll, since catches always decline after the heavy concentration of shrimp on virgin grounds are thinned by fishing. This is not necessarily evidence of depletion, although if it continues, of course, it may indicate danger to the stock.

Price Drop

The lower prices of shrimp which have prevailed in recent months probably reflect the catching up of production with demand.

Two plans are being utilized to stabilize prices and increase demand, Dr. Idyll revealed.

The shrimp industry itself is spending considerable effort on promotion, pointing out to the public that shrimp are highly nutritious as well as a finely flavored food.

In addition, research is being conducted to improve the quality of shrimp. For example, the Marine Laboratory of the University of Miami is pursuing research on icing methods for shrimp.

This work is being conducted for the Florida State Board of Conservation with help from the Lederle Laboratories of the American Cyanamid Co., and the Shrimp Association of the Americas.