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Some shrimpers are making the switch from diesel to biodiesel, a fuel that can be made from chicken fat, soybean, corn or vegetable oil.
Last year, biodiesel sold for about $2.15 a gallon when regular diesel was $2.95. It was a savings that local shrimper Jeff Toomer found worthwhile. He bought 4,000 gallons and often mixed it with regular diesel.
"With the biofuel you lose about 5 to 10 percent of your power, which isn't that big a deal, but you can mix both," he said. "My motors run fine. I just had some filter trouble because under 60 degrees it would start gel up a little."
Toomer said he didn't find out about the alternative fuel until September and he hasn't been able to get any more because the closest provider is in Charleston.
That provider, Next Generation Biofuels, has been in business since July.
Bill Smith, an engineer at the biodiesel plant, said he can deliver the fuel to shrimpers.
"I delivered fuel to the shrimpers all last season," Smith said. "As diesel prices really spiked, I was fueling people from Georgetown to Savannah."
The cost of biodiesel is still cheaper than regular fuel, but not by much. Costs vary each day, but the alternative fuel usually runs between 30 and 50 cents cheaper.
Toomer said he uses 3,000 gallons of fuel every two weeks.
With his crew, fuel and operations, shrimping costs about $1,400 a day. Ten years ago, when fuel was selling for 39 cents a gallon, the same work cost him about $400 a day, he said.
"I have no idea what's happened and I have too much invested to do anything else," he said. "I don't understand how fuel prices can jump up so quick and they expect everybody to keep up."
