Shrimpers net place in twin city deal

Having their voices heard, members of the Terrebonne Parish shrimping industry secured a position to participate in examining economic sister city arrangements with Weihai, China.

Speaking before the Terrebonne Parish Council last Wednesday, members of the domestic shrimp business expressed concerns about partnering with a country that has caused economic hardship and has a dismal record in trade arrangements. They also complained that they had not been involved in sister city discussions from the beginning.

By the close of this meeting, shrimpers accepted an invitation for representation with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, and will be included in a group of dignitaries planning to visit the seaport city on the other side of the globe.

“I’ve stood before Congress and given testimony and I have seen nothing but destruction [in doing business] with China,” Mariah Jade Shrimp Co. owner Kim Chauvin said. “I do not trust China.”

Chauvin, who operates two docks and multiple shrimp-related businesses with her husband, David, reminded those in attendance of Chinese shrimp dumping that took place prior to federal tariffs being imposed to protect domestic interests. She also discussed China intentionally underselling U.S. shrimpers in other markets including Canada, which had previously been a large Gulf shrimp buyer.

“How can you do business with a country that has a 6 to 1 trade record?” said David Chauvin outside the meeting.

Shrimper Tammy Theriot addressed the council and expressed concern regarding U.S. businesses that are hurt by lower priced and poor quality products flooding domestic markets.

Also owning a business outside the shrimp industry, Theriot said she has seen prices undercut by Chinese imports on various products. “People will pay $20 at Walmart for what I have to sell for $100 at the mall,” she said.

“The Chinese people come to the United States and spend thousands of dollars,” said economic trade supporter Dona McKee. “Before they come to the United States their friends make lists of the goods they can get here that they do not get at home. They want the best. If we don’t try to establish this sister city they are going to leave Terrebonne Parish and go somewhere else.”

St. Mary Parish Economic Development Director Frank Fink spoke in support of Terrebonne Parish entering into a trade agreement with Weihai, China. He added that St. Mary Parish has already worked with Chinese businesses and would like to be included in another partnership.

“Our interest is to invest in an opportunity,” Fink said. “We believe we can benefit from this as well. We’re only St. Mary Parish. We need to partner with Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption Parish. There is enough there for all of us.”

Shrimpers said they wanted to be included in discussion on trade arrangements so the fishing industry and other local industries would not end up on the bad end of an international deal.

“I want to sell in [China’s] back door and get some of our money back,” Motivatit Seafood owner Mike Voisin said.

“I’m not saying China is perfect and I agree [with concerns on that country’s trading record],” Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Steve Vassallo said. “But if we focus on the problems we are limiting ourselves on the opportunity.”

Vassallo assured the council that as head of the parish’s economic development agency he would not agree to anything that would place Terrebonne Parish in a vulnerable position. He also said he would welcome having members of the shrimp industry as participants in sister city exploration.

During last Monday’s meeting of the Terrebonne Parish Council’s community development and planning committee, members approved, by a 7-2 vote, exploring the formalization of an economic relationship between Terrebonne Parish and Weihai, China.

Parish council members and Vassallo also addressed an erroneous report following last Monday’s meetings that suggested $20,000 of taxpayer money would be required to establish the trade arrangement.

“We did not vote to spend any money,” Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams said.

“No money was asked for on Monday night,” Vssallo added. “All we asked for was for the parish council to approve the economic alliance and that we explore economic options.”

Vassallo said what was discussed regarding travel to China involved federal economic development funds available through the state. He also noted that if those funds are not claimed by September they would be returned to the federal government.

“This is the first time in the state’s history that funds are awarded for travel,” Vassallo said. “No parish money is involved.”

During the council committee meeting, Councilmen Dirk Guidry and Danny Babin, both of whom are directly involved in the shrimp business, abstained from voting on the sister city exploration.

Following last Wednesday’s meeting, Guidry said since it was agreed to involve working shrimpers in the trade agreement plans he now supports the measure.

“I still have reservations,” Guidry said to Vassallo. “But if you promise to take shrimpers to China, I feel better. I was going to try and kill this, but since TEDA agrees to meet with shrimpers, I support it.”

Chauvin said she welcomes an opportunity to be part of the international trade discussion and wants to dispel what she contends has been misinformation released regarding trade with China.

“If you paint a rosy picture, you get a rosy answer,” Chauvin said. “Is it possible that this could be good? Anything’s possible. There is a lot of negative that comes out of China.

“I have reservations because we have not been involved with TEDA, Chauvin continued. “If they would have engaged us from the first, maybe I wouldn’t have some of the reservations.”

Babin repeatedly said he supports international trade, but admitted he felt better once shrimpers became directly involved.

“I have nothing against trade with China, but our industry has been decimated by the Chinese government,” Babin said. “I represent a lot of people in the shrimp industry and it is the industry where I make my living. I think the questions that were raised were good. It is always good when you have more discussion.”

“I was hoping and praying common sense would prevail and I think it did,” Voisin said.

Immediately following last Wednesday’s meeting, Vassallo and Chauvin discussed getting her and other shrimpers involved in exploring trade conditions between Terrebonne Parish and Weihai, China.