A one-two punch of wind and water damage from 2012′s Hurricane Isaac and resulting re-floating of oil related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster has prompted Gov. Bobby Jindal to formally request a fisheries failure from federal officials.
“This will allow our fishermen, fishing communities and biologic resources to be restored,” state’s Jindal’s letter to Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank.
A failure occurs when an act of nature or man results in a fisheries resource disaster, causing those engaged in the fishery to suffer “severe economic hardship.” according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Aid packages ranging from Small Business Administration loans to outright grants can then be made available from the federal government.
Louisiana Assistant Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Randy Pausina said Jindal’s request is an all-important first step in the process.
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