Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration approved by NOAA

Local fishermen and the tourism industry have been hit hard over this past year, but some relief might soon be in sight.

The reopening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway has had lasting effects throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Chris Rhodes is a local fisherman who has seen this devestation first-hand. “You know the fishermen who are affected by this and the businesses that are affected by this, it’s happening now. Their bills are not stopping, their mortgages are not stopping. We’re just not catching enough shrimp to spend the money on diesel to go and find them right now.”

On Wednesday morning, congressional leaders took the first step toward financial relief for those who have been hit hard by the Bonnet Carre Spillway. NOAA has approved the ‘Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration’ for Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Congressman Steven Palazzo said, “It’s not only affected our Sound, our ecosystem, but it has affected our economy up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast. So, this fisheries announcement finally means that NOAA will begin to initiate the required economic assessments and work with the states to actually quantify the impacts of the fisheries disaster.”

The approval of the declaration is something local and state leaders have been working on for months. Biloxi City Councilwoman Dixie Newman says this is a positive step in helping the Coast’s economy bounce back. “It’s a huge first step. Obviously there is still some work to be done, but at least just getting their attention and knowing that there is an issue because like I said, it just trickles down and it is going to affect the whole Gulf Coast if we don’t do something to help the fishermen.”

Congressman Palazzo is unsure when the funds will be allocated, but he says it needs to happen sooner rather than later. “These people depend on the Gulf of Mexico to provide a living for their family and we need to try to get some assistance to them as quickly as possible and then continue looking at and quantifying the impact of the total disaster.”