Crabbers subsidized with federal aid checks

Charlotte Observer ^

[Stew Padasso]

Crabbers subsidized with federal aid checks

It's the first time funds of this magnitude have been provided by U.S.

Associated Press

NAGS HEAD - For the first time, more than 2,000 crabbers will get federal aid checks to make up for a glut of foreign imports and a drop in prices.

N.C. crab harvests have fallen off drastically from the record 65.6 million pounds caught in 1996. This year's catch, not yet counted, is higher than it has been in recent years, but the bigger catch has driven prices down.

Crabbers were paid about 20 cents per pound this year, about 5 to 10 cents less per pound than usual, said Willy Phillips, owner of the Full Circle Crab Co. in Columbia.

"This year really surprised everybody," Phillips said. "Crabs just glutted the market."

The federal aid will go through the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to 2,156 crabbers, 404 dealers and 21 processors, said Nancy Fish, spokeswoman for the agency.

"This is the first time we ever had money like this available," Fish said. The subsidies were authorized by Congress this year.

Each group -- crabbers, licensed dealers and processors -- that took part in the crab harvest in 2000, 2001, and 2002 will share $500,000, Fish said.

Individuals will get a check in proportion to the amount of crabs caught or bought, she said. Buyers are required to keep detailed records of every catch for each fisherman, Phillips said.

[csvset]

I read the other day that school cafeteria workers will be getting money from FEMA to make up for wages lost due to school closings caused by Hurricane Isabel.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

If the federal government will send me a check, I promise never to catch crabs. I'd also like to get the free gubmint money for not raising cotton or tobacco. I promise not to raise any of those crops.

[Stew Padasso]

Geez, I need to get in on this action. Money is just pouring out of Washington these days.

[jigsaw]

Just think of all the DU'ers with crabs! They must be making out like bandits.

[Vaduz]

Thank our congressmen it's called pork for reelection remember that when you vote.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hmm, I don't see the retail prices going down any.

[Stew Padasso]

Finally a cause that "friend's of Bill" can champion.

[sergeantdave]

A glut of crabs? And crabbers are paid 20¢ a pound? And this "glut" costs me $9.95 at the grocery store?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Sad to say that I really can't eat crab anymore - I developed this nasty food allergy to that and shrimp the last couple of years.

[dogbyte12]

If you lived next to where the crabbers did, you could make off like a bandit.

Offer them $1 a pound, instead of the 20 cents they are taking. They are happy, you are happy. I do that in Louisiana with shrimp and crawfish. I feel extremely ripped off when I buy em in the stores, knowing the street price in Louisiana.

[sergeantdave]

Do you have a dry ice outlet nearby? Can you ship to Michigan? Never mind. I smell a profit. I'll drive my truck down to Louisiana, load up a thousand pounds and sell the buggers out the back of my truck for $5 a pound. I should be able to retire in 18 months.

[Stew Padasso]

I feel your pain.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I really set myself up for it. I went to a restaurant in HiltonHell®, and had the following in one sitting with my wife:

Shrimp and Lobster Bisque

Crab Martini (this was a huge martini glass full of hot crabmeat, with garlic butter for dipping

Crab Crepes

Lobster (a pound and a half)

It took us hours, but we loved it. In the middle of the night, I was afraid I had to go to the hospital, I was so sick. Ever since then, I can't touch crab or shrimp without getting the sweats and cramps.