Back
to the Dock
Posted:
11/8/06
In response
to a request from the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery
Coalition, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) proposed
an allocation of $20 million for Back to the Dock. The dock
program is similar to LRA's ‘Road Home’ program
and helps underinsured and uninsured fisherman get ‘Back
to the Dock.’ This much needed assistance should help
Louisiana's proud fishing families pick up the pieces and
get back to work.
The coalition members
represent many commercial and recreational fishing groups
who will stay in communication with LRA's Infrastructure and
Transportation Task Force. The LRA is scheduled to hold a
final vote with the full quorum on the ‘Back to the
Dock’ allocation on Dec. 15, 2006.
After attending
the LRA meeting this morning, Ewell Smith, executive
director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing
Board, expressed his enthusiasm for this first major step
from the LRA toward assisting our fishing families.
"We look forward
to working with LRA as we execute our Back to the Dock program,"
he said.
The Center for
Natural Resource Economics and Policy with Louisiana State
University estimates damage to Louisiana fisheries sectors
at nearly $582 million. Losses include commercial fishing
vessels, seafood processing facilities, seafood wholesaling
plants and recreational vessels, among other essentials.
Furthermore, rebuilding
these communities would reinstall a crossbeam in the economic
structure of the state. A recent Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries report pointed out that the pre-storm marine
fisheries sectors contributed a total economic benefit to
the state exceeding $3.3 billion.
EDITORS: For more
information, contact Ewell Smith 504-214-3985 or Mike
Voisin at (985) 665-8494.
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