Research focuses on storms’ effects

Commercial fishermen and wholesale/retail seafood dealers in the Tri-parishes can be paid to participate in a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries study on the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the seafood industry.

Department representatives were in Houma last week to talk to parish fishermen and seafood dealers about the program.

The LDWF received a $15 million grant from the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct the study, which covers the three years between Sept. 1, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2008. In all, $8 million is being allocated to fishermen and $7 million to seafood dealers statewide.

LWDF representatives said the input will improve responses to disasters in the future.

“It will help us monitor the recovery of fisheries,” said Heather Finley, habitat program manager. “It will also help to identify lingering needs unmet from the 2005 and 2008 storms.”

“We want to know about fishing practices and dealer practices,” said Jim Hanifen, assistant division administrator with the Marine Fisheries Division.

“If we come back for another disaster, we will have information on file so we can have an estimate of what the damage could be,” he said. “Maybe we could do some economic analysis, show legislators how important fisheries is to Louisiana.”

“We hope to make it more personal for fishermen,” he said. “When we go up to Washington, we can put a fisherman’s picture on it.”

To participate in the program, fishermen and dealers need to return application forms to the South Central Planning and Development District office in Gray postmarked no later than June 30. A survey form will then be sent out with a self-addressed business reply envelope.

South Central Planning will then send the completed survey to the LDWF.

Participants in the program with higher sales and purchase amounts receive more money, but more detailed survey answers are required for greater incomes. The department estimates that 4,433 fishermen and 395 seafood dealers in south Louisiana are eligible for the program.

Fishermen who had minimum sales of $5,948 during the three-year period will be paid $209 to participate; minimum sales of $24,786 earn $870, and sales of more than $108,804 earn $3,820.

Seafood dealers having minimum purchases of $20,756 over the three-year period will be paid $1,438 to participate; minimum purchases of $67,527 will earn $4,678, and dealers with purchases greater than $632,463 earn $43,815.

Lower-earning fishermen who answer the survey will have to provide information such as the number of miles between the place of residence and docks that are regularly used. Higher income fishermen need to furnish detailed information about their work vessels.

For dealers, data about specific types of seafood purchased and sold is required. All participants have to answer questions about damages from hurricanes Katrina and Ike.

Fishermen and dealers in the Tri-parishes interested in the program can call South Central Planning and Development at 1-800-630-3791 or (985) 655-1051.

For information about trip ticket records, call the LDWF at (225) 765-2399.