LA. Shrimpers Begin Harvesting, BP (NYSE:BP) Oil Still A Concern

Shrimpers have returned to Louisiana to begin their harvesting season, but there are still concerns about the BP (NYSE:BP) oil that may have effected the shrimp. They are not for sure the price they will get if consumers are concerned about contamination, among other possible effects.

The massive oil spill has effected fishing as a whole in a state that ranks first for its shrimp, oysters, blue crab, and craw fish. It's a $318 million industry in Louisiana annually. Fisherman have already seen the prices crash in the Summer by scared consumers who stopped purchasing their products.

The biggest fear is that fisherman may try and sell oily seafood. A shrimper from Buras, Dewayne Bayham said, "If you see oil shrimp you got to throw them back over. Go somewhere else. It's all you can do, and you hope everyone else does the same."

On Friday, several fisherman did a test run around Grand Isle and Barataria Bay. Several areas were tralled and than the nets were pulled up revealing shrimp, jellyfish, mud, and driftwood. None of which contained any smell of oil. To reopen harvesting, the Food and Drug Administration has set levels which have to test below 12 various potential cancer causing substances.