The Louisiana Shrimp Association on Friday released a statement asking for Governor John Bel Edwards and local officials to declare a State of Emergency in the shrimping industry. The association says their industry is in crisis to due to the large amount of imported shrimp that is resulting in record low revenues for Louisiana shrimpers. It said in its letter to Edwards that shrimpers are receiving less than one dollar per pound for their products. Combined with the lower revenues and rising costs of operating, the association says many vessels are forced to remain dockside and businesses are having to close.
On Thursday, U.S. Senator John Kennedy addressed a joint luncheon that was sponsored by the St. Mary, Houma-Terrebonne, Lafourche and Thibodaux Chambers of Commerce.
In the question and answer session following Kennedy’s speech, St. Mary Parish Councilman Rodney Olander, who himself is a commercial fisherman, told Kennedy the shrimping industry in Louisiana and on the Gulf Coast is on the verge of collapse. He said the industry needs immediate help, adding the fix would be a cap imposed on imported shrimp by the federal government.
Kennedy said he understands the problem and further mentioned that imported shrimp is not safe or healthy. He also stressed the importance of eating Louisiana shrimp. Kennedy said he does not see the Biden administration or Democratic controlled Senate being willing to impose the tariffs.
You can listen to Olander and Kennedy’s exchange below.
Below are the letter to Governor Edwards and the request from the Louisiana Shrimpers Association that was posted on its Facebook page.
