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preservatives such as sodium bi-sulfate,
while local shrimpers Broome, G eorge
and Potter sell most of their catch the
day they come in.
W ith changes in the local shrimp
population and overpowering international
competition, Broome says
small-time local shrimpers have an
advantage.
“If you’re going to survive in this
industry, retailing is the way to go.”
A board Broom’s boat, the sparkling
Plan B, equipped with stainless steel
rigging, like all modern shrimp boats,
a tickler chain to get the shrimp up, a
try net to test the area, and two giant
nylon nets, Broome says that even
with provisions such as the TED , that
by-catch is inevitable.
“By-catch isn’t good for anybody,”
Broome says. D ecreasing drag time
makes the shrimp tastier, bruises them
less, and it also increases the chances
for by-catch survival once released.
W hile TED s are responsible,
NOAA reports, for saving 97 percent
of all endangered sea turtles, the
significant shrimp loss that it causes
troubles long-time shrimpers. Broome
recently received a grant to research
effects of decreasing the size of the
TED opening. H is research shows an
insignificant shrimp loss of 2 percent
with no turtles trapped in nets.
Broom, Potter and G eorge all say
that W rightsville Beach is not really
worth trolling these days. T oo many
party boats, commercial fishermen,
recreational traffic and a sandy bottom
make it undesirable for shrimpers.
A lthough G eorge turned in his
shrimping hat when he sold the Miss
Dorothy last year, he still oysters, crabs,
or jumps onboard a fellow shrimper’s
boat when he can.
“It keeps the wolf away from the
door,” he says, smiling.
T he Potters are not daunted by the
overcast shrimping climate. T hey are
hopeful that their family tradition, dating
back to 1899, will be carried on.
W atching A .J. Potter toddle around
the boat, A pril Potter says it won’t be
long now.
“W e can’t wait to get him out
there,” she says.