Pink shrimp impacted Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding areas beginning in 1949. Also known as "Florida Pink", these shrimp came by their name because they turn pink when cooked. In the 1940's only 20 different shrimp were noted as economically important. The first discovery of the pink shrimp was in the Tortuga's near Florida Bay.
Many shrimp boats began to net the shrimp in the waters off the Dry Tortugas and by 1950, San Carlos Island (the island just north of Estero Island and Fort Myers Beach) became the area where the shrimp boats would unload their haul to be processed in 7 packing houses. The shrimpers would also restock with ice, nets and many other fishing supplies. Before long San Carlos Island's shrimp boats were processing more Florida Pink Shrimp than anywhere else in the entire state. Pink Shrimp we also found in Campeche Mexico and Sanibel Island.
In 1960 Hurricane Donna destroyed the packing houses. They were not rebuilt.
In 1960 Hurricane Donna destroyed the packing houses. They were not rebuilt.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Reports, more than 5,000,000 pound of pink shrimp where processed on San Carlos Island in 2006. By the mid 1970's the US began to import farm raised shrimp from Asia and South America. Not surprising that by 2013 only 2,000,000 pounds of pink shrimp were off-loaded on the docks.
In 2014 the Beach Seafood Packing Company closed and the docks on the waterfront where left with no packing houses.
Today there are only two operating docks still working on San Carlos Island are are home to roughly 40 shrimp boats. These docks are well worth a visit to be seen and appreciated before they are gone.
Beach Seafood had long been a favorite stop for the Pfeifer familiy as a place to stock up on fresh shrimp, seafood and see the shrimp boats. We even enjoyed visiting the shrimp docks from the water for a pound of steamed shrimp to go.
Photos By: Kyle Sweet