[StBernard] Vitter Release: Requests Fisheries Disaster Declaration

[Westley Annis]

Vitter Requests Fisheries Disaster Declaration

 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Sen. David Vitter today sent a letter to U.S.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke requesting that he declare a commercial
fishery disaster, as authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, to mobilize immediate federal assistance to
the Gulf Coast.

 

Below is the full text of the letter:

 

May 14, 2010

 

 

Secretary Gary Locke

U.S. Department of Commerce

14th and Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20230

 

 

Dear Secretary Locke:

 

            As Louisiana recovers from the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill, it is imperative that we take into account the devastating
effects this disaster is having on commercial fishermen and fisheries
infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.  I ask you to declare commercial
fishery disaster assistance, as authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and mobilize immediate federal
assistance to the Gulf Coast. 

 

            Louisiana's nationally vital fisheries have sustained another
major disaster.  As the largest producer of domestic seafood for the
contiguous United States, restoration of Louisiana's fisheries, fisheries
infrastructure, and habitat is critical to our nation's economy, as well as
to families throughout the entire state.  NOAA Fisheries reports that the
Venice/Empire region of Louisiana remains the third largest seafood port in
continental North America.  Louisiana fisheries are the largest fisheries in
the region, which alone produce $2.4 billion in revenues, account for 27,000
jobs, and harvest 70 percent of all the seafood produced in the Gulf.  These
companies proved to be critical in re-establishing local infrastructure by
borrowing more than $15 million after Hurricane Katrina in order to save
jobs and speed up the Gulf recovery process. 

 

            Declaring a commercial fisheries failure will begin the process
of delivering financial assistance to the affected commercial fishing
industry in Louisiana and helping get Louisiana fishermen back on the water.
Thank you for considering this urgent request.  We look forward to working
with you as Louisiana recovers from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 

 

                                           Sincerely,
                                           David Vitter

                                           United States Senator

 

 

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