Support our shrimpers
March 28, 2018
Russell retains DA post
March 28, 2018
Despite low dockside prices and other setbacks, local shrimping families say they have hope for this year and those to come, pointing to signs of recovery that are small, but nonetheless seen as positives.
The industry got a big shot in the arm earlier this month when President Donald Trump signed into law an appropriations bill that includes money to monitor shrimp coming from other countries into the US, to verify that the companies involved are acting in accordance with US trade laws.
“I am very happy that they passed this. They will have the shrimp better monitored,” said Angela Portier of Chauvin, whose family runs five shrimp boats — two 78-foot, one 69 foot and the other 72 feet. “I am just hoping that they have the people in place to do what they need to do.”
More inspections could mean fewer shrimp get into the country from nations where US trade laws have resulted in tariffs being exposed.
The appropriations bill is among several topics that will be discussed when the Louisiana Shrimp Association holds its annual meeting Saturday, April 7 in Lafitte.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. that day, following an 11:30 am lunch. It will be held at the St. Anthony Church Hall, 2653 Jean Lafitte Boulevard.
The following day, April 8, will see a boat blessing in Chauvin, beginning Noon at St. Joseph’s Church. A blessing will be held April 15 in Golden Meadow, and on April 22 in Dulac. In Dularge, St. Andrew’s Episcopal church is holding its boat blessing at 1 p.m., April 29.
Word of the new emphasis on inspection by federal authorities is the best news local fishermen
have received in a while.
The industry itself spent millions of dollars to hire attorneys to fight for tariffs, which were granted in 2004.
But the results were not always immediately apparent, and in the interim some processors and docks have closed down, and boats sold.
Nonetheless organizations like the Southern Shrimp Alliance, made up of industry representative from eight shrimp-producing states, have urged shrimpers to hang on.
“This is a huge victory for the domestic shrimp industry, American seafood consumers and those who believe that U.S. trade must be legal and fair. We have had so many people to thank for this and want to add our special thanks to Congressman Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC) for his efforts to secure the crucial support of the House Appropriations Committee including his February 26, 2018 letter to the leadership of the key Appropriations Subcommittee,” said SSA Executive Director John Williams. “We also want to recognize our very good friends at the Texas Shrimp Association and the North Carolina Fisheries Association whose extensive work with SSA and their Congressional Delegations on behalf of Texas and North Carolina shrimpers was absolutely pivotal to this success. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to work with and enjoy the support of so many fine and dedicated people.”
Dr. David Veal, Executive Director of the American Shrimp Processors Association, had similar praise for lawmakers.
A trawl boat glides through the water waiting to test its luck at a worthwhile catch. Local shrimpers were able to get out of a LDWF violation this week after it was learned that a technology glitch had occurred, which several boat captains were not aware of.
