In the United States, the war against Iran is not just played out in the Strait of Hormuz. It can be seen every morning at gas stations. The price of diesel is at its highest point in four years: for Americans, it’s their wallets that are hurting. But for some professions, it’s a threat to their survival. On the coast of Georgia, shrimp fishermen are seeing their margins collapse, often forcing them to stay docked.
The price per gallon has doubled since the beginning of the war in the Middle East. At Shellman Bluff dock, an unusual calm reigns. Shrimp fisherman Bill Harris unloads hundreds of kilos, stating: “It’s during the spring season that we make 60% of our annual revenue. Normally, the dock is full of boats from other states, but this year, they haven’t come due to the fuel prices.” With prices over $4.50 per gallon, equivalent to one Euro per liter, it’s double what he paid in March. Fuel now accounts for more than half of his income, compared to 30% a few months ago. He would need to catch over 350 kilos per day to make up for the increased costs.
As fishermen venture out less, if at all, Michael Boone in Darien takes the opportunity to make repairs on his engine. He fears financial suffocation, as maintenance costs have also skyrocketed in recent years. He emphasizes the strain on the industry as a whole, particularly for fleet owners with many employees to pay, unlike himself with just his boat.
As shrimp fisherman Richard Lee sits on his boat mending nets, he expresses his reservations about Trump’s Middle East policy, despite having voted for him three times. Lee hopes for improvement in the situation and stabilization of fuel prices. He believes that Trump was doing a good job until now.
With the prolonged war against Iran, Wynn Gale is unable to afford to take his boat out. Instead, he sells some kilos by the roadside. Gale hopes for a quick resolution to the conflict, as he sees Iran as a problem for the world. He acknowledges that this may be the crisis that breaks the camel’s back, as shrimp imports have flooded the market since the U.S. shifted to free trade three decades ago. Despite the challenges, Gale remains determined to continue fishing until his death.
