Southern Shrimp Alliance

Remember going down to your local waterfront to get the “catch-of-the-day” right off the boat? Whether you lived by the ocean or you were on a trip to the coast, it was usually a place off the beaten path with special sights and the feel and smell of a salty breeze. While finding that type [...]

If you have ever wondered about the history of the U.S. shrimp industry, then you need to meet the Versaggi family. The family’s first generation pioneered offshore shrimping after introducing powerboats and adopting new equipment, and developed new markets for shrimp in New York City. The second generation developed a large fleet of cutting-edge vessels [...]

In Houma, Louisiana, the Captain of the 63-foot steel hull trawler, Waymaker, looks relaxed and carefree as he holds Amelie, his first grandchild born in February 2012. The hard economic realities facing shrimp fishermen seem far behind James Blanchard as he talks about his two daughters and son. “This little girl trumps Hurricane Katrina, the [...]