September 24, 2014 — The following was released by the Gulf Seafood Institute:
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Biloxi was known as “The Seafood Capital of the World” – its factories were world leaders. Today, the seafood industry continues to play an important role in the diversity of city’s local economy.
In 1890 more than two million pounds of oysters and 614,000 pounds of shrimp were processed by Biloxi’s canneries. By 1902, those numbers had increased as twelve canneries reporting a combined catch of 5,988,788 pounds of oysters and 4,424,000 pounds of shrimp.
Today, first impressions of Biloxi are more Las Vegas than cannery row. Casino after casino with hundred feet flashing neon signs, line areas once filled with canneries or mom and pop hotels. Located behind the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the heart of the city’s thriving shrimp industry.
Biloxi’s Downtown Dock
The city’s downtown commercial dock provides 51 berths for the local commercial shrimp fleet. This is one of four area docks that offer space for commercial fishermen, mostly shrimpers. It is here you will find more than shrimp boat after shrimp boat, here you will find a seafood center with local fishermen selling direct off the boat to both locals and tourists.
About 75 percent of Mississippi’s shrimp harvest is brown shrimp, which are most abundant from June to October. In the fall and spring shrimpers also bring in the sweeter varieties, white shrimp and Mississippi pink shrimp.
Read the full story from the Gulf Seafood Institute