Landry Implores Continued Commercial Fishing in Atchafalaya Basin

Press Release

In response to rumored reports that commercial fishing operations within the Atchafalaya Basin will be halted, Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today sent a letter to a number of government agencies requesting they work together to prevent such a premature closing of the fisheries.

Landry's letter calls for the United States Coast Guard, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to take every possible action in delaying the closure of the Atchafalaya Basin's fisheries until the last possible moment.

"Considering the hardships that will be borne by the people who live and work within this system, I believe that summarily halting commercial fishing activities prematurely would only intensify this hardship. While concerns for safety and property are paramount, commercial fishing activities should not be terminated until it is absolutely essential to preserve life and property,"wrote Landry.

Citing the Atchafalaya Basin community's vast experience and impeccable knowledge of their river system, Landry continued: "Natural hardships can be accepted, those created unnecessarily by government interventions and bureaucratic decision making are unacceptable."

Landry is hopeful his letter will influence the agencies and keep his constituents working. "Prematurely shutting down fishing in the Basin during the most lucrative time of the year for many will cause unnecessary, disastrous financial burdens on our people. I hope my letter will influence these agencies to continue commercial fishing operations in the Basin," said Landry.

A copy of Congressman Landry's letter may be found at http://landry.house.gov/sites/landry.house.gov/files/images/Atchafalaya%20Basin%20Commercial%20Fishing.pdf .

Source