Shellfish Prices Rise Because of Oil Spill
As predicted, the price of shellfish has already risen and will increase more, according to industry experts.
Some grocery stores in the Gulf region are reporting spikes in fish prices as high as 40 percent more than what prices were just a few weeks ago. Immediately following the spill, restaurant owners and suppliers stocked up on fish like shrimp, oysters and clams out of fear that prices would indeed rise. But as their inventory dwindles, they are also forced to pay the higher prices.
Gulf of Mexico fisheries are some of the most productive in the world, responsible for almost 60 percent of U.S. oyster production and three-quarters of the country’s wild shrimp.
And unfortunately production of Gulf shrimp, the area’s hot commodity, has all but stopped since the environmental disaster.
“We’re going to see the price of grouper, shrimp and other fish rise. Oysters could be nonexistent out of the gulf. This could affect things for decades,” says Frank Chivas, co-owner of Salt Rock Grill, Rumba, Marlin Darlin’ and Island Way Grill.
Other Gulf fish like speckled trout and red snapper can be found in other coastal waters making the rise in prices for them not as vulnerable to a price increase.
Nonetheless, given the economy, which is showing real but very tentative signs of progress, the oil spill and the consequent rise in yet another commodity may feel like one step forward and two steps back for Americans.
Tags: bp, fishery, gulf of mexico oil spil, oil spill, shellfish
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I believe your right. They know there’s oil there, and they’ll justify it by saying: How can you expect us to undergo all this cost if we can’t recoup some of our loses. Whatever the current fines may be, double them-at the very least-, and no more dithering on settlements to the lives and livelihoods disrupted.