What does $8.5 million dollars in seafood infrastructure damage look like? Pearl, Inc.’s Chauvin, LA plant sustained 180mph winds for approximately six hours. The freezer was blown away and little left of the plant according owner Andrew Blanchard, a coalition member. Photos: Andrew Blanchard

by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor

On August 29, 2021 Hurricane Ida blasted ashore along the Louisiana coast almost complete destroying everything in its path.  Infrastructure was hard hit, especially infrastructure vital to Louisiana’s $2.4 billion seafood industry.  Four months later little has changed, and the state’s fishermen, docks, processors, fish houses and restaurants are wondering if it will ever return.

Drone footage captured infrastructure and boats lay damaged along Bayou LaFourche near Leeville. Enhanced Video Capture: Live Storm Media

Infrastructure is the basic system undergirding the structure of the economy.  The term refers to the physical systems of a business, region, or nation. They tend to be capital intensive and high-cost investments, and are vital to economic development and prosperity.

Ida’s destruction of infrastructure included transportation systems, communication networks, sewage, water, and electric systems, but for the seafood industry it also include boats, docks, processing plants, icehouses and cold storage facilities.

Ida’s destruction of traditional infrastructure included transportation systems, communication networks, sewage, water, and electric systems. Photo: YouTube Video Capture

“More than two-thirds of Louisiana’s seafood industry lay in Ida’s path,” said Harlon Pearce, chair of the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition (LFCRC), “At the end of the day the destruction was inconceivable.  In addition to Ida, we are looking at the infrastructure loss from Hurricane’s Laura, Delta and Zeta which ravished the western part of the state last year.”

Pearce said the coalition is working hard to pull together numbers on damage to seafood infrastructure from these storms, as well as revenue, in order to provide a monetary figure needed to bring all fisheries across the state back to strength.  “This is an important number when we head to Congress to seek the needed funds for the seafood industry,” he said.

“Damaged by Laura, finished by Ida.” – anonymous fisherman

An economic assessment of losses to the state’s seafood industry is in the process of being compiled by Louisiana Sea Grant at LSU, in cooperation with LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“We are working to estimate impacts to seafood infrastructure from four hurricanes over the past two years,” said LSU Sea Grant’s Dr. Rex Caffey.  Photo: Live Storm Media

“We are working to estimate impacts to seafood infrastructure from four hurricanes over the past two years,” said LSU Sea Grant’s Dr. Rex Caffey.  “But we can only conduct damage assessments for those businesses where we have data.”

Using a model devised after Hurricane Katrina, the economic assessment is based on financial records, “We’re basing the valuation on a company’s revenue, and then adjusting that appraised value with survey-derived damage curves for maximum storm surge and wind speed.  While the approach is revenue-driven, the valuation captures the physical assets of a fishing business – including the value of vessels, vehicles, buildings, equipment, supplies and inventory.”

The Louisiana seafood industry is more than boats, docks, buildings and machinery.  As comments flooded in from the assessment, it’s apparent that a way of life is in deep trouble, possibly extinction.

“I just wish that the Federal government knew how dire the situation was and still is down here. Why does it take so long to get relief dollars when the fishing industry needs help NOW! I haven’t worked in months due to Ida and other natural disasters. There’s still so much debris in the water from Ida to where I can’t safely navigate my boat, so why isn’t the USCG doing more to clear these waterways?“ – anonymous survey comment from Gulf fisherman

Four Months Later Seafood Still Struggles

“Four months after the storms, roads, power and water have been restored to most of the area, but our seafood industry still struggles because its infrastructure remains in shambles,” said Patrick Banks, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  “Docks are damaged; processing pulverized; needed ice and cold storage almost non-existent.   In addition the highways that our fishermen rely upon – the bayous, the channels and the bays – are filled with debris and hidden obstructions making it almost impossible to go fishing.”

Clearing the waters of debris and obstacles falls to the parishes and the state. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for only the removal of boats blocking water access or leaking fuel. Photo: YouTube Video Capture

Banks believes the waterways are an important part of the seafood infrastructure, but the U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for only the removal of boats blocking water access or leaking fuel.  Clearing the waters of hidden debris and obstacles falls to the parishes and the state.

“After Katrina the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries received a grant from NOAA to clear debris from the waterways,” he explained. “As the coalition prepares a funding request for legislators in Baton Rogue and Washington, it is vital to have this project included.”

“The waterway for our inland fishing charters is still not passable. Cannot launch and lift vessels.” – anonymous recreational fisherman.

“We have few options in southern Lafourche for customers to have overnight stays. “The waters in the Golden Meadow, Leeville and Fourchon area have lots of debris and it’s hard to get around. Bait shops are destroyed and most marinas and overnight stay accommodations need to be rebuilt.  It’s going to be a struggle for a while in this area.” – anonymous survey comment from recreational fisherman

For recreational fisherman Gail’s Bait & Tackle was an institution before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ida’s 150mph winds and a 10-15 foot surge. Gail Serigny Hayes started running it in the 1970’s.  She had a mural painted of her father, who previously ran the store. Photo: Gail Serigny Hayes

Clearing the waterways is only one big part of the problem.  According to coalition member David Cresson of the Costal Conservation Association, which represents recreational fisherman, there is little reason for recreational fishermen to return to the area.

“There is no fuel, no ice, nowhere to stay,” said Cresson in an interview with Gulf Seafood News. “Not only are the waterways dangerous to navigate, if you need any basic necessity you have to bring it from Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Every public and private boat launch and marina between Port Sulphur and Cocadrie has been affected: bait dealers remain closed, as well as fishing piers and kayak launches.  Every aspect recreational fishing needs to get back to normal demands attention.”

“I can’t see it recovering anytime soon,” said Cresson, “Can we prepare better?  I don’t know. That is the big question. Our industry typically has a two billion dollar economic impact, for now it will be greatly diminished because the infrastructure in not back in place.”

Infrastructure in Economic Terms

“We lost our home in the storm along with all that was listed with our business. We are currently living on the boat, and have been since Ida.. We are trying to find a place to go because we have no income coming in from being displaced.” – anonymous survey comment from Gulf fisherman

Infrastructure in economic terms often involves the production of public goods or processes that support industries.  For the seafood industry the infrastructure is often both tangible and intangible.  It relies on boats, docks, plants, ice and cold storage, but there is also homes and family, all of which hurricanes can take in a matter of minutes.

According to Louisiana Shrimp Task Force Chair Andrew Blachard one third to a half of the state’s infrastructure was lost to Ida, even more if you factor in the losses from the three hurricanes the previous year.

A shrimp boat lays on it side in the marsh between Grand Isle and Port Fourchon.  Clearing the waters of debris and obstacles falls to the parishes and the state. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for only the removal of boats blocking water access or leaking fuel.  Photo:  Joni Tuck/Shell Oil

“In our area alone most of our docks and processing plants were either destroyed or badly damaged.  We have a few docks that are able to unload shrimp, but it has to be shipped off to other locations for processing.” Blanchard said. “The problem rebuilding these facilities are updated codes requiring new building techniques or rebuilding in a new location.  It remains a question if any plant can afford to rebuild and still remain economically viable.”

The Shrimp Task Force chair and coalition member said there are less than five processing plants currently operational within the state.

“Recently passed legislation required restaurants to serve Louisiana shrimp and seafood, but these storms have completely disrupted our supply chain and the ability get the state’s seafood on the plates of customers,” said the Terrebonne Parish native. “Our boats can’t get on the water, the landing docks are damaged and there is reduced processing capacity, not to mention the damage to our ice houses and fuel docks.  This is not good for our state’s image as the place to come to eat great seafood, it will hurt us economically.”

When questioned about the long-term effect of the storms, Blanchard paused before saying “this could be the final nail in the state’s seafood industry coffin.”

“Help us.  I’ve been in business for 42-years. This is a bad storm, damage to the equipment, vessel, vehicles, etc. I hope my Native American wife and I can survive this one mentally and financially. Thank you.” – anonymous survey comment from Gulf fisherman

Investing in Seafood Infrastructure

According to numerous economists, infrastructure tends to be less volatile than other asset classes and is often sought as an investment.

In 2019-20 a comprehensive seafood supply chain study was done for parishes on the Gulf of Mexico.  The study, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant and the Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, highlighted obstacles and opportunities for the areas battered by environmental disaster, economic losses and competition from imports.

To ensure the future survival of the region’s economic development, the study found six infrastructure initiatives:

• Increase ability to manage and recover from disasters
• Modernize distribution capabilities to connect to new markets
• New cold storage facilities
• Innovate operations and introduce new products
• Safe harbors for vessels
• Innovation and marketing hub to address development of new opportunities

The bayous of Louisiana are more than waterways, it is our home and heartland. There is no place in America more rooted in the landscape and environment than south Louisiana’s. The working coast’s unique culture is proof that the seafood and oil and gas industries don’t just coexist, we thrive together,” said Joni Tuck of Shell Oil, a coalition member. “After Hurricane Katrina Shell worked to assist the seafood industry meet their needs for ice. Now after Hurricane Ida, we are working with our commercial fishermen to address critical needs once again so that our fishing family can get back out on the water and put food on our tables.” 

“Nothing but the land left, 34-years of building and rebuilding gone in one day!”– Louisiana Fisherman

With an economic impact of more than $2 billion, commercial seafood accounts for one out of every 70 jobs in the state, driving economic development.  It is the foundation of the culture of Louisiana.

A sign is all that remains of the Seafood Shed in Golden Meadow, LA. The dock bought shrimp and blue crabs directly from the commercial fishermen and sold to the public. Owners of the establishment have told those in the business they will not rebuild. Photo: Joni Tuck/Shell Oil

“The true impact of Louisiana’s seafood industry has never been fully appreciated,” explained Dr. Geoff Stewart of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.  “This industry has significantly contributed to the preservation of an indigenous culture and way of life that shapes the image of the state, thus warranting attention as a key industry in the state’s future strategic planning.”

According to the coalitions chair Harlon Pearce it is important to have this economic assessment finished in a timely manner.

“The economic assessment currently underway cannot be all things to all people. We know how well it worked after Katrina, and our hopes are that history will repeat itself,” he explained.  “This is not going to be a quick fix.  We are looking at three to five year plan for implementation.”

More Survey Comments:

• “Hurricane Ida destroyed most of our marshlands and cause extreme flooding and costal erosion.”
• “We were forced into a mandatory evacuation. Returned to find property and belongings totaled.”
• “I own an aquaculture oyster farm and we lost everything in the storm.”
• “I lost all of my crab traps, between 500‐600 crabs traps. I also lost the building I used to make and repair my crab traps.”
• “Hurricane Ida wiped out oyster seed production in Grand Isle LA.”
• “We are still displaced because we don’t have a home. We’ve been living on the boat since the storm.”
• “I AM CLOSED WITH NO HELP TO START AGAIN.” 

“We need help!”

Tags: CCA, commercial fishermen, feature, Featured, Harlon Pearce, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Zeta, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition, Louisiana Sea Grant, Louisiana shrimp task force, LSU AgCente, recreational fisherman, seafood infrastructure, Shell Oil