Hyper_Threaded

So the shrimp and seafood being picked up in the gulf coast. What percentage of it is actually safe to sell/eat? I have heard rumors or stories of shrimp being pulled up without eyes in their eye sockets. I have noticed a significant price drop at my grocery store in the price of US gulf coast shrimp vs those of Mexican or even Alaskan shrimp. I generally see US shrimp for about 9.49/lb and Mexican shrimp (Roughly the same size) for ~14.59. I keep waiting to see the prices bounce back for the Gulf coast but they simply have not been the same since the spill.

Do you know if the fishermen are having to accept lower pay for their shrimp(and other seafood) than before the spill?

Actually, as I picture it, I am probably glamorizing it a bit, but you make it sounds pretty exciting and frustrating at the same time. So I too am HORRIBLE with numbers (maybe someone else can verify this for me) but I was trying to do some quick math on your average in the initial response..

500lbs of fish = ~3000 dollars.. 500x6 = 3000 so each 1lb of fish must have yielded you 6 dollars. There is one variable you weren't too certain on was the weight of fish (Obviously fishing Halibut made you a fish size queen ;-P j/k... sorry) But essentially, it would take you quite a few fish just to make up the cost of o ne of these leads... Sound about right? That would be a huge set back and I imagine one of the key reasons you didn't come out on top financially?

I am pretty fascinated with your story I must say... But I think it is fantastic that no matter what happened you got some amazing experience, must have learn a ton, and gained memories that no one can ever take from you or might be difficult to compete with in every day living.. Kudos to you! :)

(also, ty for being the most interesting person on reddit this evening and saving me from the mundane boredom of my job)

Thanks, that gives me an image in my mind... Something to piece together and possible look up :)

Raises one other question. the one time you actually filled the boat.. Did it just feel like a fishing extravaganza? Were you just reeling them in as quickly as you could reset the line? or was it more along the lines of an all day or multiple day grind to fill the boat? or a combination of both.

Thank you for your time & answers! Edited: I just reread your response... "A 3 day time period" i think you already answered my follow up question.. Sorry :-/

I have looked through most of this thread. I am just curious what size of a boat you used for that.. What was the size of the hold and was the average amount of Salmon that you could fit in one full load?

PS. I really did look for the above information before asking but didn't see it. I did see about unloading to bigger boats while still @ Sea (If I understood that correctly, but didn't really get a feel for the size of the boat from the photos)