Rising diesel prices force shrimp boats to stay docked

CALABASH, N.C. (WECT) - Shrimp boats are sitting at the dock as rising diesel fuel prices force local seafood businesses to cut back on trips to sea.

The average price for diesel fuel in North Carolina is now more than $5.50 per gallon, according to AAA. That’s a $1.50 more than the price this time last year.

Bob Taylor, who has spent 22 years in the seafood business, said the increase is affecting daily operations at Calabash’s Waterfront Seafood Shack.

“Fuel is liquid gold right now. We want it to go back to liquid silver,” Taylor said.

Many shrimp boats are taking fewer trips because of the high fuel costs.

That’s because Taylor says the boats were built with no fuel consumption in mind.

“Horsepower was the biggest thing you needed for these nets,” said Taylor. “Most shrimp boats were built in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and some in the ’80s. Very few after that. So fuel was super inexpensive back then.”

And without their normal supply of shrimp, it hits his business hard.

“A lot of shrimp boats are sitting at the dock. It affects us daily, and month-to-month planning what we’re doing, where we typically shrimp that time of year, and whether we can afford to go to those locations,” Taylor said.

But the rising costs are affecting more than just business owners like Taylor.

“It not only affects me, but it also affects the crew on the boat. It affects everybody,” Taylor said.

Boat crews, restaurant staff, and kitchen cooks are not getting the hours they need.

Taylor said many workers have spent their entire lives in the industry.

“Most of these guys that shrimp have shrimped their whole life, that’s all they know how to do. The guys working the shrimp boat behind me are in their 70s, and that’s all they’ve done their entire life,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he will work to make ends meet as best he can.

“I’m going to find a way to make it happen for our crew that wants to work. If it’s not shrimping, we’re going to go do something else,” Taylor said.

He says he is hopeful to see a drop in prices soon so he can continue doing what he loves.