[StBernard] Operation Defend Our Coast: St. Bernard Commercial Fisherman Support Program

[Westley Annis]

Operation Defend Our Coast

St. Bernard Commercial Fisherman Support Program

 

In an effort to assist local commercial fisherman impacted by the recent oil
leak in the Gulf of Mexico, St. Bernard Parish Government sought to
establish a local Vessel of Opportunity program to utilize the knowledge and
expertise of the local fishing community in protecting our marsh from the
impending oil.  We believe that our local fisherman can make a positive
impact on the protection of St. Bernard Parish.

 

As the responsible party, British Petroleum, is working directly with the
Coast Guard to establish their response.  St. Bernard Parish has pushed the
response pace and has requested a continuous supply of material to put in
place in this effort and to compliment any work being done by the
contractors of BP.

 

Several aspects of this program are required by federal agencies and must be
completed such as safety and hazmat training.  If fishermen wish to
participate, they must abide by all rules and guidelines established by any
and all federal agencies and BP.

 

St. Bernard Parish will continue to offer training sessions.  These training
sessions will be conducted by either St. Bernard Parish staff or BP
consultants.

 

The training sessions are intended for St. Bernard commercial fishermen and
charter boat captains.

 

All fishermen who complete the training session will be verified as a St.
Bernard Commercial fisherman and placed into a lottery.  Names will be
pulled by category of the type of vessel that is needed.  Each individual
will be limited to one vessel for each deployment, unless there is a greater
demand for vessels than is available.

 

If the number of fisherman needed is less than the number of fisherman
available, fisherman will be rotated on a three day rotation for as long as
there is not enough work or material to put all St. Bernard commercial
fishermen to work at once.

 

Names of fisherman will be drawn publically and advised of their dates of
scheduled service.

 

All fishermen will have to sign required forms as independent contractors
and hold St. Bernard Parish harmless during their service.  This does not
have any impact on any future claims made by the fisherman against BP.

 

Commercial fisherman will be paid within a week of the end of their rotation
or at the end of a following week of work if the rotation has been
discontinued and fisherman are working more than a three day rotation.

 

Rates of compensation are based on the size of vessel and manpower used.
Luggers are based on a captain and four man crew and small and medium boats
are based on a captain and one man crew.

Fishermen are required to have any and all appropriate licenses or
experience to operate the vessel that they are using and accept all
responsibility for their actions in this program.

 

Any questions can be directed to the Office of Emergency Preparedness at
278-4268.

 

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