Three species of shrimp that comprise over 95 percent of the Gulf catch are the white, the brown and the spotted pinks all three which spawn in Gulf. The trawlers range from 40 footers to 90 footers carrying engines of 275 to 500 horsepower and are of wooden, steel or fiberglass construction. These fishermen travel 150 or more miles into Gulf of Mexico for their catches, shrimping mostly off the Louisiana coast and many traveling from Florida Keys to Campechee.
Shrimp boats go out from Gulf Shores, Bon Secour, Oyster Bay, Lagoon, Intercoastal Canal, Plash Island, most are privately owned, the rest by seafood companies. As shrimpers ventured further out into Gulf, the boat design was influence by the Florida type trawler in 1938, and in 1955, the Texas shrimp fisherman started the double rig method. They range from 25-50 feet long with shallow drafts, suitable for inland waters. 'Luggers' were used in Gulf states up until 1938, with some luggers still seen in Gulf Coast area. The design of shrimp boats evolved as new shrimp grounds were discovered. The shrimp trawl or otter-board was first used in years between 19 with first shrimp trawling done at Fernandino, Florida, which developed the industry quickly and was adaptable for use over much greater range to yield more per man. Others were 2000 feet long and had to be hand led by as many as 20 men. Some were only a few feet long pulled by two men. The first shrimping was done with simple beach seines, walls of netting dragged over the mud in shallow water. Shrimpers are away from home during the summer as long as week or ten days with the longest trips made in the fall of the year. Shrimpers are a very independent lot, skilled and careful, quick to deal with difficulties in all kinds of weather conditions and quick to aid and assist. Shrimping runs in families, grandfathers, fathers and sons, with names like Nelson, Callaway, Plash, Bemis, King, Mund, Shutt, Wallace, to name but a few. A photographer tries to capture on film the strength of a shrimp boat with rigs spread like majestic wings pulling the nets in waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Artists try to translate on canvas the peaceful fleet of shrimp boats docked, their nets drying in the sun.
It is an industry with eye appeal and atmosphere as one watches a shrimp trawler glide in waters of Bon Secour River or the Intercoastal Canal. Commercial fishing in South Baldwin County is a multi-million dollar industry with market demands for shrimp, oysters, and fish exceeding the supply.
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