Shrimp wants higher tariffs, but others in the seafood industry are against them. The Maine governor raised concerns about retaliation from Canada, the state’s largest trading partner. The National Fisheries Institute, a trade association, also has been wary of seafood tariffs and has pointed out that it could cause inflation.
John Sackon, an industry analyst who runs a publication called Seafood Sauce, cited a recent study showing that consumers are more likely to buy cheap groceries when they are trying to cut down on restaurant meals and spend less money.
“We rely on people who hit seafood counters instead of going through,” he said. “If this economic headwind continues, seafood will suffer a lot of damage.”
Regardless of what happens with the tariffs, another major industry, shipbuilding, is set up to grow, so Bayou La Batre could soon be bailed out. The shipyard expansion is expected to create 136 jobs over the next few years.
Barnes, who was standing on the porch of a former church online store, said he prayed for the shrimp that things would improve. He thinks he has to watch Wednesday.
“People will make either happy or sad,” he said. “I hope we are some of the happy people.”
