Inside the Delcambre Shrimp Fleet
Vermilion Parish Guide
June 30, 2026
The working shrimp boats of Delcambre Canal are one of Louisiana's great working waterfronts. Here's a look at the people and traditions behind the fleet.
On any given morning before dawn, the lights of the Delcambre shrimp fleet are already moving. Captains and their crews have been doing this for generations — heading out into the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal bays to harvest the brown and white shrimp that have made Delcambre famous.
The Delcambre Canal is one of the most active working waterfronts in Louisiana. At peak season, dozens of shrimp boats tie up along the canal, unloading their catch at the docks while buyers, processors, and retail customers line up for the freshest Gulf shrimp available anywhere.
The shrimping industry has faced significant challenges in recent decades — rising fuel costs, competition from imported shrimp, and the lingering effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. But the Delcambre fleet has persisted, sustained by the skill and determination of the families who have worked these waters for generations.
If you want to buy shrimp directly from the boats, the best time to visit is late morning when the overnight boats return. Prices are typically lower than retail, and the shrimp couldn't be fresher. Bring a cooler.
The Delcambre Shrimp Festival each August is the community's annual celebration of this heritage. The blessing of the fleet — a Catholic tradition in which a priest blesses the shrimp boats at the start of the season — is one of the most moving ceremonies in the parish.
The shrimpers of Delcambre are part of a living tradition that connects Vermilion Parish to the Gulf of Mexico and to centuries of maritime culture. Next time you eat Gulf shrimp, there's a good chance it came from right here.
