Crowds, caring and wheeling coolers of every size and color, lined the docks waiting for the opportunity to purchase Vermillion Bay Sweet white shrimp from Lil Man. Photo: Delcambre Direct
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
With the sounds of the Tee Chaoui Trio Band, the Babineaux Sisters and The Beau Young Band rocking into the night, the new Bayou Carlin Cove dock recently opened in Delcambre, La. The opening culminates a seven-year effort by the Twin Parish Port Commission to fund and construct the $4 million facility.
“This is an exciting day for Delcambre and for anyone who loves fishing and fresh seafood,” said Pat Forbes, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, which contributed $3.4 million in disaster recovery funds to the project. “This boat launch, fishing pier and pavilion will be a great economic boost and continue to help Delcambre’s recovery from hurricanes Rita and Ike.”
Despite occasional rain showers, more than 3000 visitors flocked to Delcambre to view the new pavilion, boat launch facility for recreational and commercial fishermen and three docking piers for shrimp boat direct seafood sales.
The open-air insulated pavilion features a vented roof with an additional uncovered concrete slab for future expansion. “Even in the heat of the day,” said Wendell Verret, the Port Director, “you can feel the air surging up and through the vents. It’s a fantastic facility with awesome evening views.”
At the event, the Delcambre Seafood & Farmers Market was held under the newly constructed pavilion with local vendors like Big-D Seafood, the Delcambre Crab House and Lalin’s Seafood selling fresh seafood. Other vendors sold meats and produce, as well as artisan creations.
Thomas Hymel, of the LSU AgCenter and the ports seafood director, said four boats had more than 10,000 pounds of shrimp to sell. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Four shrimp boats filled the dock’s spaces reserved for Delcambre Direct Seafood sales. Crowds, caring and wheeling coolers of every size and color, lined the docks waiting for the opportunity to purchase Vermillion Bay Sweet white shrimp from boats with names such as Lil Man and Smokin Joe.
Thomas Hymel of the LSU AgCenter and the ports seafood director, said four boats had more than 10,000 pounds of shrimp to sell. He said that three of the four boats sold out of shrimp due in part to the port’s website, DelcambreDirectSeafood.com, and efforts on its Facebook page.
According to the port authorities, the new facility offers business and community opportunities including fund raising events, educational programs, and private function use. They also acknowledge there are immediate openings for a bait shop, bulk ice machine, boat wash and fish cleaning station. Future plans for the facility include a RV park and dry stack boat storage.
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