STP returns with a vengence
June 1, 2010
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The oil spill has struck again and this time it’s the summer fishing rodeo season that’s feeling the effects.
With oil encroaching on coastal waters and some fishing areas now being restricted, rodeo officials are scrambling to make their events happen.
But in many cases, it’s just not possible.
“It just keeps moving closer and closer to the shore,” said Jimmy Rhodes with the Montegut Lions Club Speckled Trout Rodeo. “There just aren’t enough fishing areas open to make it happen.”
Rhodes’ rodeo made their decision to cancel last Monday at a meeting to discuss whether to have the event.
Another rodeo to make a similar decision to cancel is the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo, which was scheduled for July 1-3.
The rodeo has become a staple of summertime in Southern Lafourche Parish, heading into its 63rd year.
But rodeo President John Maurer said after speaking with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, he knew it wouldn’t be possible to have this year’s event.
“The way they talked, more areas would be closing soon,” he said. “So based upon that and based on our rodeo is almost a month away and the oil still isn’t shut off, it was just too much stacked against trying to have the rodeo … It just wouldn’t have been fair to the fishermen or the supporters if they’d have put into the rodeo and then it couldn’t be done.”
Just down the road from Fourchon in Grand Isle, several other rodeos are on edge heading toward the summer.
Dodie Vegas with Bridge Side Marina said one rodeo has already pulled out, and they are awaiting word from several others.
The marina is scheduled to host close to a dozen events during the summer months.
“The only one we’ve had cancel so far is the OMSA rodeo, which was scheduled for the first weekend in June,” Vegas said. “But we still haven’t heard anything from anyone else, so as far as we know everything else is still good.”
Sand Dollar Marina in Grand Isle has also seen a few cancellations, according to Stacy Cheramie.
“We’ve seen the King Mackerel Rodeo and New Orleans Electric Association Rodeo cancel,” she said.
Like in Lafourche, Terrebonne Parish’s rodeos have also been adversely affected.
The Krewe of Terreanians Fishing Rodeo originally scheduled from June 11-13 has been canceled because of the encroaching oil slick.
The Krewe of Houmas Invitational Saltwater Fishing Rodeo scheduled for June 25-26 will still be held, but it just won’t be in Cocodrie anymore, according to rodeo official Charlie Pitre.
While the impacts of the rodeo cancellations will have an obvious impact on the fishing industry, the implications span even deeper.
In the case of the Golden Meadon-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo, proceeds usually go to scholarships for South Lafourche High School.
With no rodeo, that means less money for the 2011 high school seniors.
“The proceeds go for students with financial needs,” Maurer said. “This will probably take away two or three scholarships a year that we put into the schools, as well as take away funding from extra curricular programs we help at the school like athletics and some of those other things.”
In addition to the effects on South Lafourche, businesses in the areas left out could also be hurt.
One of the main reasons Pitre said his rodeo left Cocodrie was because of how crowded the area is with relief workers.
“There’s just no hotels there, it’s just too busy,” he said. “We couldn’t go out there. There’s no way.”
Mardi Gras could also take a big blow as many of these rodeos were scheduled to benefit parades around the area.
“It’s going to cost more out of pocket to put on the parade now, Bergeron said. “I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
A teenage fisherman shows off his catch at the 2009 Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo. With oil still in the Gulf of Mexico, several rodeos in the area have been forced to cancel their 2010 events. * COURTESY PHOTO
