[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish trained fishermen are deploying protective booms; No reports of oil in St. Bernard marshes at this time

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish trained fishermen are deploying protective booms 

More training of local fishermen on Monday; federal officials on ground in
St. Bernard; no confirmed reports of oil in St. Bernard marshes at this time

 

St.  Bernard Parish officials said boom is still being deployed by local
fishermen who are now contracted by British Petroleum to protect St.
Bernard's coastline from the drifting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from
the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig operated by British Petroleum, which was
drilling in 5,000 feet of water about 40 miles offshore when it exploded on
April 20. There have been no confirmed reports of oil reaching St. Bernard
marshes or waters at this time. 

 

Fishermen were trained Saturday and a second wave of local fishermen is
being trained Monday to work with BP to place protective measures in St.
Bernard. An additional training session will be held later in the week.
Fishermen can continue to sign up through the website at www.sbpg.net
<http://www.sbpg.net/>  at the Contact Us button, by email to
kbazile at sbpg.net or by phone to the Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness at 504-278-4268. All volunteering fishermen must
include the Vessel Name, Owner/Captain Name, Contact phone, email and
address, Vessel Length, Horsepower and Draft. 

 

Fishermen will be personally contacted to attend training sessions. No one
may show up if they have not been contacted. Additionally access has been
restricted at Shell Beach and Breton Sound. Fishermen are asked to not
report to the launch points without proper authorization. Because St.
Bernard commercial fishermen have been financially impacted by the spill,
St. Bernard is focusing on linking the fishermen with BP's Vessel of
Opportunity program so they will be compensated for their efforts.

 

On Sunday, St. Bernard was able to deploy 18,000 feet of boom in its marshes
with the help of many local fishermen/boats. On Monday, St. Bernard plans to
deploy 18,500 feet of soft boom and 25,000 feet of hard boom, dependent on
its arrival.

 

President Taffaro continued to stress the potential devastating impact on
the economy of St. Bernard and its commercial fishermen and their families. 

 

"Our conservative estimate is that with just our local fishermen, you could
have a minimum of a $1.5 million a month impact on the area's economy,"
Taffaro said. "This figure does not include the spin-off industries such as
boat repairs and sales, boat supplies, seafood processing efforts and the
restaurant and tourism industry. As you can see, it can climb to a very
significant number very quickly."

 

President Taffaro has flown over the area several times in the last few days
to view the spill's progress and its potential impact on St. Bernard, and
St. Bernard Parish Councilman Wayne Landry, Fred Everhardt and Mike Ginart
have been intimately involved in all operations. Several federal and key
officials have been in Chalmette in personal contact with local officials,
including EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Congressman Charlie Melancon and
U.S. Sen. David Vitter as well as BP executives.  President Taffaro said he
needed to thank those officials for the extra efforts they have made to help
St. Bernard. He also is grateful for the attention St. Bernard is receiving
from President Obama, Gov. Jindal and the entire local federal Congressional
delegation. As a result of this intervention, St. Bernard now has liaisons
in Chalmette from the Coast Guard, National Guard, Wildlife and Fisheries
and BP to allow local officials to better address the issue.

 

President Taffaro said he hopes the visits from high ranking officials
result in swift action.

 

"We will are grateful for President Obama's visit to the region, and we will
welcome and will seek his support. However, a visitation, as we have seen in
Katrina, doesn't means anything unless support comes quickly."

 

It is not clear when the oil could reach the Chandeleur Islands and the
outer edges of the Biloxi Marsh in St. Bernard; currently it is moving away,
but that could change dependent on weather condition. 

 

Please monitor the news for additional information. Updates also will be
posted on the parish website at www.sbpg.net.

 

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