STATE OF LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES $30 MILLION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO AID FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY HURRICANES GUSTAV AND IKE

Release Date: 06/10/2009

Today the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) launched a $30 million reimbursement program, designed in collaboration with the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), to assist the commercial fishing industry that suffered damages from hurricanes Gustav and Ike this past year. 

?Today we launch the first fisheries specific program dedicated to those who were affected by the twin storms of 2008,? said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.  ?We have developed a program, along-side our state partners, to ensure these funds are invested back into the fishing industry that is so vital to our state and our nation."

This week LDWF sent out more than 4,000 packets to commercial fishermen and wholesale/retail seafood dealers who were determined prequalified for this program based on the following criteria:

1) Reported sales or purchases on LDWF trip tickets during Sept. 1, 2005 through Aug. 31, 2008 (and received by LDWF by Nov. 30, 2008) for crab, oyster, shrimp, saltwater finfish and menhaden

2) Held a 2008 resident Louisiana commercial fishing or wholesale/retail dealer license.

This program will provide reimbursement to Louisiana resident commercial fishermen and wholesale/retail seafood dealers who provide acceptable receipts/invoices documenting expenses of eligible items.  Examples of acceptable recovery related expenses are:  1) repairs to boats, motors and engines; 2) Drydocking expenses; 3) Rental of freezer trucks and/or generators; and 4) Cost of Insurance premiums.

?Louisiana?s fishing industry produces nearly one-quarter of our nation?s seafood, making it vital to the success of Louisiana?s economy.  In the past three and a half years, our commercial fishermen and seafood dealers have suffered great loss at the hands of four hurricanes, and these much-needed funds are an investment in helping them recover from such devastation,? said Paul Rainwater, executive director of the LRA.

The packets mailed out this week are in envelopes labeled, ?HURRICANES GUSTAV & IKE,? and should be opened immediately.  After completely filling out the forms, participants must return the forms in the business-reply envelope provided no later than Sept. 30, 2009.

Funding for this program comes from a $40 million appropriation by the U.S. Congress and allocated to Louisiana for fisheries disaster assistance to the commercial fishing industry under sections 308(b) and 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 4107) (NOAA Grant Number NA09NMF4520024). 

Any questions concerning eligibility or requests for information should be directed to the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) by calling 1-800-630-3791 (toll-free) or 985-655-1051 (local) or mailing SCPDC at P.O. Box 1240, Gray, LA 70359-9902 or visiting the SCPDC Web site at www.scpdc.org/fisheriesassistance.  

LDWF will host a series of seven workshops in coastal communities beginning June 18 to present information about the program.  SCPDC staff will also be on site to help in filling out the application.

Meeting dates and locations are as follows:

HACKBERRY - THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Hackberry Community Center
986 Main Street
Hackberry, LA 70645

ABBEVILLE - FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Vermilion Parish Library
405 E. St. Victor Street
Abbeville, LA 70511

MORGAN CITY - SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Morgan City Municipal Auditorium
728 Myrtle Street
Morgan City, LA 70380

CHALMETTE - MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
St. Bernard Council Chambers
8201 W. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043

LAFITTE - TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Lafitte Senior Center
4927 Treasure Drive
Lafitte, LA 70067

BELLE CHASSE - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Belle Chasse Auditorium
8442 Highway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037

LAROSE - THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009, 1 p.m. - 8 p. m.
Larose Civic Center
307 E 5th Street
Larose, LA 70373

It is estimated that the total infrastructure and economic loss from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008 totaled over $750 million.  LDWF was charged with the coordination and distribution of federal recovery funds. 

For more information, contact Laura Deslatte at ldeslatte@wlf.la.gov or 225-610-2363.

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