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THE GULF FISHING INDUSTRY : A Way Forward
Post #17 | 5-28-10
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LOCAL FISHERMEN
Local fishermen from the gulf coast region have been stressed recently due to many different things, it's been tough enough before the oil arrived.
Besides fighting to recover from the devastating hurricanes that have struck the region, they've also been struggling to compete against the cheap, imported seafood that has driven down market prices and shrunk profits. Another battle has been the one fought with disappearing marshland areas; the breeding grounds.
Some of the shrimping, oyster, and other operations have been multi-generational family businesses, ones looking forward to a continuation for future generations despite the daily struggles. It's too early to tell the scope of all the damage, but for some already it's simple, it's at their front door. For many of these folks, this will be the end. Others can work from areas not affected, but that will also have many challenges.
Since the spill occurred their daily routines have changed drastically, life is up in the air. For the areas open they need the vital daily information so they know where and when they can proceed. This is not always getting though and there is confusion. This is a situation that will improve in the days ahead, but for now it's adding to the challenges. Some of those have been idled, some have temporarily gone to work for BP cleaning up the oil. The shrimping season opening a few days early has helped but now entire areas are shut down as either being contaminated or for testing procedures.
It's tough for fishermen to know when they’ll work next, all developments affecting new daily decisions that now may have to be made, things they will deal with. For instance, should one be stocking up on ice and buying fuel today when certain areas could get closed down? When and how do you move on something like this? Will it be worth it to go further out to safe areas, will it pay in the long run? Will there be a market, the usual demand for gulf catches? That is why the consumer is so key in the way forward.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND AID PACKAGES
Here are just some of the latest developments in assistance, as of May 27:
U.S. COMMERCE Secretary Gary Locke has determined there has been a fishery disaster in the Gulf of Mexico due to the economic impact on commercial and recreational fisheries from the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The affected area includes the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
“We are taking this action today because of the potentially significant economic hardship this spill may cause fishermen and the businesses and communities that depend on those fisheries,” Locke said. “The disaster determination will help ensure that the Federal government is in a position to mobilize the full range of assistance that fishermen and fishing communities may need.”valuating the need to declare a fisheries disaster, as the states of Louisiana and Mississippi have requested, to facilitate federal aid to fishermen.
In addition:
The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance and the Gulf Fishermen’s Association have joined the Environmental Defense Fund in recently signing a letter that has been distributed to Congress and the President to provide guidance for responding to the growing crisis.
In the letter, all three advocate for at least $100 million in funding for direct assistance to adversely affected commercial and recreational fishermen and fishing communities, to improve fisheries science, and to make fisheries more resilient to harm caused by human activities.
In further news, the Greater New Orleans Foundation is using a grant from its Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to help support critical services for fishermen.
In the coastal parishes of Louisiana most affected by the oil spill, there are over 6,400 licensed commercial fishers, many of whose families have been fishing for generations. Nearly one-third of the nation's seafood is harvested in Louisiana waters. "Commercial fishermen face unemployment short-term and possibly long-term which is why the first grant from our Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund went to support a center where fishermen can go for business help," says Marco Cocito-Monoc, director of regional initiatives at the Greater New Orleans.
There are many more initiatives and programs either active now or that will be on the way soon.
Here are just some of the latest developments in assistance, as of May 27:
U.S. COMMERCE Secretary Gary Locke has determined there has been a fishery disaster in the Gulf of Mexico due to the economic impact on commercial and recreational fisheries from the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The affected area includes the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
“We are taking this action today because of the potentially significant economic hardship this spill may cause fishermen and the businesses and communities that depend on those fisheries,” Locke said. “The disaster determination will help ensure that the Federal government is in a position to mobilize the full range of assistance that fishermen and fishing communities may need.”valuating the need to declare a fisheries disaster, as the states of Louisiana and Mississippi have requested, to facilitate federal aid to fishermen.
In addition:
The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance and the Gulf Fishermen’s Association have joined the Environmental Defense Fund in recently signing a letter that has been distributed to Congress and the President to provide guidance for responding to the growing crisis.
In the letter, all three advocate for at least $100 million in funding for direct assistance to adversely affected commercial and recreational fishermen and fishing communities, to improve fisheries science, and to make fisheries more resilient to harm caused by human activities.
In further news, the Greater New Orleans Foundation is using a grant from its Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to help support critical services for fishermen.
In the coastal parishes of Louisiana most affected by the oil spill, there are over 6,400 licensed commercial fishers, many of whose families have been fishing for generations. Nearly one-third of the nation's seafood is harvested in Louisiana waters. "Commercial fishermen face unemployment short-term and possibly long-term which is why the first grant from our Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund went to support a center where fishermen can go for business help," says Marco Cocito-Monoc, director of regional initiatives at the Greater New Orleans.
There are many more initiatives and programs either active now or that will be on the way soon.
Venders, U.S. Seafood chains and retailers
What we will all find in our favorite restaurants and retail markets will be 'the expected' for gulf items that do make it to market; higher prices and tight supplies for the short term. Beyond that, it is impossible to say at this point as to pricing and availability. For now, with areas closed, if fishermen have to travel farther and go out longer, spend more money on labor trying to get the catches they need, of course it's going to affect the price. Following the chain, it may be difficult for vendors and suppliers to know or predict what they’ll have for product to sell on any given day in the time ahead as well from gulf waters affecting what restaurants and markets can bring to you.
The 'iconic' American seafood like Gulf Shrimp and Gulf Oysters will be harder to find and more expensive. Most finned fish, like grouper or red snapper, are culled from deeper waters that may not be affected. What you will also find depends on where you go ,whether it is a national chain that may be able to switch from usual gulf suppliers to suppliers from other areas. Sole proprietors may be in a difficult position if they do not have the option of multiple sources for their supply. A lot restaurants in close proximity to the gulf which feature seafood from those waters are going to be having a rough time ahead. For some of their customers there simply is no substitution for something like fresh Louisiana shrimp and oysters. Period.
MINIMIZING THE DAMAMGE: The Road Ahead
To contain, minimize, and understand the damage is now in the hands of hands of government workers, scientists, local politicians and others in the most 'hands on' way in the areas affected. Resources and assistance is already making it's way to the gulf. But what can the average person do to help? Can we make an impact? Absolutely! In fact, the way consumer markets react to this will mean everything to the Gulf region. We can all keep the gulf fishing industries as strong and vital as they can be by doing several key things, doing less would be to heap damage upon damage.
INSPECTION ASSURANCE
What areas will be affected and what will be safe to eat? These and other questions will be addressed through the very important work of all the inspection teams and scientists working on the subject on a daily basis in the short and long term ahead. It's up to them to establish a trust and to continue it, and up to the general public to accept this very important bond of trust with valid and demonstrative proof that all seafood products from the gulf are "OK" once on the market. This ongoing quality assurance will be absolutely vital in giving the consumer the peace of mind needed to continue to 'buy gulf'.
As of right now the federal and state governments have systems in place to test and monitor seafood safety, prohibit harvesting from affected areas, and keep oiled products out of the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the states to ensure seafood safety, by closing fishing areas where tainted seafood could potentially be caught, and assessing whether seafood is tainted or contaminated to levels that pose a risk to human health. NOAA and FDA are working to implement a broad-scaled seafood sampling plan. The plan includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside- and market-based sampling.
MISINFORMATION
It's important, vitally important, to be aware of misinformation concerning 'tainted' seafood and to not spread it in this period of time. This cannot be stressed enough. To do this would be heaping damage on top of damage to an already stressed industry.
All of the fish and shellfish making it to market are safe, having gone through inspection processes.
Realize that if misinformation got out and started to affect the communities that base their lives around seafood, that would be a second storm. If they started having trouble selling what they can sell, it would be potentially devastating for them.
It's also interesting to note that generally the further you get away from the coast, the greater the perception that the fish is tainted seems to prevail. This has to be stopped. The financial future of multigenerational oyster and shrimp families, and all industry partners hangs in the balance.
CONTINUE TO 'BUY GULF'
Your support, your 'vote', by continuing to buy Gulf seafood will be a huge factor, now more than ever, in determining whether the shrimping and oyster industries, among others will survive this disaster. The days ahead will be tough ones for those involved in these industries, some within won't survive. Seafood from our gulf regions is ingrained into the culture and way of life and not only needs to live on unimpeded but to thrive and flourish as the strong national resource it has always been.
This can go many ways. Let's be sure to support our Gulf seafood markets every way possible, they will certainly need our help on this difficult road ahead.
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