Monday, February 5, 2024

Mississippi Fisheries Get $2.9 Million in Disaster Relief

Although the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for 123 days in 2019 relieved Mississippi River flooding, it was a disaster for Mississippi fisheries on the Gulf Coast as the massive freshwater intrusion ruined their harvest.  The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on January 24 it will provide $2.9 million in relief to those fisheries: 


U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced today the allocation of more than $42 million to address fishery disasters that occurred in Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Yurok Tribe fisheries from 2017 to 2022.

“Sustainable fisheries are essential to the health of our communities and support the nation’s economic well-being,” said Secretary Raimondo. “With these allocations, it is our hope that these funds help the affected communities and tribes recover from these disasters.”

Today’s announcement applies to the following fishery disasters: 

NOAA Fisheries used commercial revenue loss information to allocate funding across the eligible disasters. The agency also considered traditional uses of the fisheries resources that cannot be accounted for in commercial revenue loss alone, such as cultural and subsistence uses.

“The impacts of fishery disasters are a great concern for the communities that depend on these fisheries to support the lives and livelihoods of their local economies,” said Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “With climate change further stressing our fisheries and ecosystems, it is essential that we work together to mitigate the impacts of disasters, restore fisheries and help prevent future disasters.”

Congress provided fishery disaster assistance funding in the 2022 and 2023 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Acts. Positive determinations make these fisheries eligible to receive a funding allocation from those appropriations. These funds will help improve the impacted fisheries’ long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Funds can assist the impacted fishing communities including commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, charter businesses, shore-side infrastructure and subsistence users. 

Activities that can be considered for funding include fishery-related infrastructure projects, habitat restoration, state-run vessel and fishing permit buybacks, job retraining and more. Some fishery-related businesses impacted by the fishery disasters may also be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration

In the coming months, NOAA Fisheries will work with the states and tribes receiving allocations under this announcement to administer these disaster relief funds. Fishing communities and individuals affected by these disasters should work with their state and/or the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission as appropriate.

See a summary of fishery disaster determinations, including this announcement, and learn more about fishery disaster assistance.

The Commerce Department justified the award in a June 5, 2023 letter to Governor Tate Reeves. 

Thank you for your letter requesting a determination of a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster for Mississippi’s 2020 oyster and shrimp fisheries.


The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has evaluated information from the impacted fisheries. Upon further review, I have found that the request for a commercial fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster for the 2020 oyster and shrimp fisheries meets the requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).


In order to have a positive determination, there must be a commercial fishery failure from an allowable cause. This disaster was due to the ongoing impacts of the 2019 Bonnet Carré freshwater flooding event, which resulted in loss of access to harvest these fisheries. This is an allowable cause under the MSA. The commercial fishery revenue losses were in the range of 35 to 100 percent, and NMFS concluded that these losses qualify as a commercial fishery failure.

Senator Roger Wicker criticized the award: 

This funding is helpful, but it does not make the impacted businesses whole. It should not take years for disaster funds to trickle in. I will keep working to reform the fisheries disaster declaration process so the funds can be delivered to communities in a shorter timeframe. I am committed to helping Mississippi recover no matter how long it takes.

The spillway's opening destroyed 90% of the oyster harvest and 50% of the shrimp harvest.  

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Broken record, I know -- borrowed Chinese money our kids will have to pay back.

Dead Fish Dan said...

Chicken feed from the same government that killed our fishery. Pathetic!

Anonymous said...

More deficit spending, but it's "free money," right? Did Ukraine approve?

Anonymous said...

But the politicians refuse to do anything about challenging the full on attack on recreational red snapper fishing. The commercial fishing lobbyist are in their pockets DEEP.

Anonymous said...

Why did they leave out the crayfish industry?
I'm tired of paying $12.00 a pound for crayfish.

Anonymous said...


I go fishing from time to time. Where do I sign up for the cash?

Anonymous said...

@1:26 PM So you want the rest of us taxpayers to subsidize your crayfish purchases?

Anonymous said...

This is not right. Ukraine and Iran need this money, right Joe?

Anonymous said...

And no one has mentioned the damage to the gulf s seafood industry that the city of jackson has caused with its released and unwarranted methods of letting raw sewage run into the Pearl River. You all know this affects millions of people not just in Mississippi don’t you? It’s a felonious act to allow a young black Marxist to have his way and let all of us pay the price. I would say what his punishment should be but we all know we can’t say that. Just think about this statement when you go eat your “fresh” seafood full of jackson urine and boo boo and all of the contaminates from hospitals and, I hate to say funeral homes. I know that’s not what anyone wants to hear but it has to flow somewhere. All we are doing is killing ourselves. And the little wannabe civil rights activist gets away with it.

Anonymous said...

To be distributed to the fishermen and businesses affected, right?

Anonymous said...

Exactly how does this work? If there is too much fresh water the fishermen get paid. If there is too much salt water the fishermen get paid. Is there ever just the right mix?


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.