Louisiana Rep. Garrett Graves talks with members of the Gulf seafood organizations, including oysterman Brad Robins, during a past “Walk the Hill Event.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
A recently released report detailing infrastructure, revenue and resource loss to Louisiana Fisheries have prompted a Louisiana Congressmen to ask the Department of Commerce (DOC) to expedite a Fishery Disaster Determination due to major damage related to impacts of Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and especially Ida.
Congressman Garrett Graves request to to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo comes after a recent economic assessment verified the devastating impact to the state’s fishing communities.. Photo: Andrew Blanchard/Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition
Congressman Garrett Graves request to to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo comes after a recent economic assessment verified the devastating impact to the state’s fishing communities.
The recently released report by Louisiana Sea Grant and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries documents extreme damage and loss of revenue over all five sectors of the industry; commercial fishermen, recreational fishing, docks, processors and marinas.
The report and supporting analysis not only confirmed the importance of the state’s fishing industry but also the massive impact of the storms. It demonstrated more than 8,500 businesses were impacted, resulting in $305 million in damage to fisheries infrastructures such as marinas, docks, seafood processors, and dealers. Combined with an additional $118 million in resource loss and $155 million revenue loss, the total estimated impact is estimated at $579 million.
The DOC has the ability to declare a seafood disaster provided by provisions within the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Inter-Jurisdictional Fisheries Act. A declared disaster would provide targeted relief to one of the most impacted sectors of Louisiana’s economy, helping all sectors on a path to recovery.
“The recovery doesn’t just happen overnight and for every additional day that the bureaucratic process drags on, our fishers and associated small businesses can’t get back on their feet to rebuild their livelihood,” said the Congressman. “Our fishermen have taken a pounding over the last several years. Hurricanes, floods, unfair trade practices, inflation, worker shortages and government over-regulation have taken their toll – all of which have been a major blow to our workforce and consumer demand. This report verifies what we have been saying about the hurricane impacts and clearly justifies the fisheries assistance we’ve already funded. We need to get assistance to our fishing communities and it has to happen in a timeframe that will actually provide immediate assistance.
Seafood On the Hill
Andrew Blanchard, who represents the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force on the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition, recently returned from Washington, D.C. after attending the city’s Mardi Gras celebration. While there, the task force met with the offices of Louisiana Congressmen Graves, Steve Scalise and Clay Higgins, as well as Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy. In addition the also met with staff from Mississippi Rep. Steven Palazzo and Senator Roger Wicker.
Members of the seafood delegation met with Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. (l-r) George Bartich; fisherman; Acy Cooper, Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition and Louisiana Shrimp Assoc; Eddy Hayes, attorney for American Shrimp Processors; Association; Kristen Baumer, Shrimp Task Force; Jacob Jurisic; Sen: Bill Cassiday; Chalin Delaune, Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board; Rodney Olander; Shrimp Task Force; Alex Johnson, attorney for American Shrimp Processors Association; and Andrew Blanchard. Photo: Andrew Blanchard/Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition
The Shrimp Task Force representative said they told him they all were doing their best to make an even playing field for the seafood industry with imports; a number of bills are working their way through the legislative process. He went on to say staffs have seen all the reports from the damaged caused by Hurricane Ida, and those the previous year, but there is not much talk from any of them on what can be done.
Members of the seafood coalition walking the hill met outside the office of Rep. Clay Higgins. (l-r) Eddy Hayes, attorney for American Shrimp Processors Association; Kristen Baumer, Shrimp Task Force; George Bartich; fisherman; Rep Clay Higgins; Acy Cooper, Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition and Louisiana Shrimp Assoc; Andrew Blanchard, Shrimp Task Force and Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition, Rodney Olander; Shrimp Task Force; Alex Johnson, attorney for American Shrimp Processors Association. Photo: Andrew Blanchard/Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition
“What is most concerning is the damage to our seafood infrastructure. What are we going to do if we are going to fix it, if we fix it at all,” he said. “I tried to explain to them that Hurricane Ida might be the storm that seals the coffin on the Louisiana seafood industry.”
The seafood delegation educated Congressmen and staff about the need for a low cost insurance program similar to the program that cover farm losses. “This could be years in the making, by the time anything comes through there might not even be a seafood industry. We can’t continue to wait five to ten years for Washington to give money out to an industry that is dying already.”
In September of year last, Congress allocated $200 million in assistance. However none of that funding is available for rebuilding resources until a fisheries disaster has been determined.
Rep. Graves, who represents Louisiana’s south central 6th congressional district, feels it is vital for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to accelerate its processes and provide aid to the seafood community before it is too late.
“Louisiana is home to some of the nation’s most valuable natural resources and some of the most resilient people – these storms have jeopardized both,” he said in the letter to Sec. Raimondo. ‘We strongly urge you to use your authority to help our fishing communities as soon as possible. “
Louisiana Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries, Jack Montoucet said his department has witnessed first-hand how the state’s fishing community has been devastated by a horrific string of four hurricanes in the past two years. “These hard-working people need as much help as the federal government and other entities can provide and as fast as it can be delivered. Their livelihoods and families are depending on it,” he said.
“The members of the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition appreciate the hard work of Rep. Graves,” said Harlon Pearce who chairs the committee of more than 15 organizations. “This is just a start. The coalition is determined to work with every member of our state’s Congressional delegation, Gulf States, as well as other’s where seafood is an important part of their economy.”
But for Scott Parker a shrimper from Golden Meadows relief might already be too late in coming. “I lost two boats in Golden Meadows from Hurricane Ida. Both were sunk. I lost engines, all electrical steering and hydraulics. I don’t have the funds to rebuild my boats. When is FEMA going to give us some help on this?” he asked Gulf Seafood News in an email.
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