|
SEAFOOD prices in some parts of the southern United States have shot up by an average of well over per cent following the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The increasingly bitter and controversial incident has forced the closure of large areas of fishing waters in the Gulf, forcing many boat owners to layup their nets. However, some have been re-employed in the clean-up operation and BP is making some compensation payments already.
But seafood buyers and seafood restaurants are reporting an across the board jump in prices, most notably for shrimp (prawns) and oysters where rises of up to 30 per cent have been reported. In states further north seafood suppliers say they are no longer buying from fishermen in Louisiana and, as a result, they are having to pay almost double for fish. Crab is being sold at over $200 a bushel.
For those boats who can fish the rise in prices is good news because shrimp prices in particular have slumped in the past year due to the recession.
The Gulf region provides around 20 per cent America's fish and shellfish supplies and, as yet, there are no signs of any shortages. Some of the price increase may be down to people cashing in on the crisis.Newspaper, radio and television stations are packed with 'scare' stories on the impact of the oil spill on fishing - almost to the exclusion of everything else about the seafood industry. Some are thought to be buying up stocks in case there is a shortage later on.
Alabama State Finance Director Bill Newton said an extensive study of the spill's impact on Alabama is under way, but added it could be some months before the full impact is known.
However,some economists are predicting that the disaster will cost Florida alone more than two billion dollars and could lead to the loss of almost 40,000 jobs. A number of legal companies who claim to be experts in environmental disaster claims are actively advertising among fishing communities for 'business'.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
