Jon Alexis from TJ’s Market has an interesting message to spread. Hear him roar:
We [TJ’s] get calls every day asking about crawfish for NEXT year. The callers think the season is done. But in 2011 we could have 3 more months of crawfish. And not just from TJ’s: everyone should have crawfish much later this season. This year’s crawfish season has been slow. Icy weather delayed at the opening of the season (Super Bowl weekend). And now, the flooding along the Mississippi and subsequent opening of the Morganza Spillway is submerging some of the country’s best crawfish land under 8-10 feet of water. Crawfishermen in the Atchafalya Basin prefer 3-4 feet of water in the bayous. The bad news is the current market price of crawfish is higher than usual. The good news is this flooding could stretch the crawfish season into August or even September. High water is making it harder to catch crawfish, leaving a heavier supply to come later this summer. Furthermore, the rush of cold, oxygenated, nutrient-rich water will improve crawfish conditions throughout the region, and especially in stagnant ponds in dire need of fresh water. Much like forest fires rejuvenate wooded areas, floods are healthy and natural for basins. The entire ecosystem benefits. Not to mention those of us who want to have a Labor Day crawfish boil this year!
