Support Gulf fishing families
by our readers
ANNISTON, Ala --
Jul 13, 2010 -- As state representative for the people of south Mobile County and a lifetime resident of Bayou La Batre, I ask Alabamians to support Gulf Coast fishing families whose livelihoods are compromised as millions of gallons of oil continue to pour into the Gulf of Mexico. These communities were just getting back on their feet after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and now they face an unprecedented catastrophe — one that has instilled an indescribable fear in everyone touched by this crisis.
Alabamians can help by buying Alabama seafood. At the onset of summer, most of our seafood producers have a high inventory of fresh-frozen products to meet soaring seasonal demand.
That is the case now, meaning current inventory was harvested before the oil spill.
About 17 million pounds of shrimp are landed by Alabama operations, but Bayou La Batre processes 35 million to 45 million pounds of shrimp. Alabama processes more oysters than any other state and is the second largest processor of crabmeat.
With each passing day that a fisherman cannot do what he or she does for a living, boat and mortgage payments come due, college entry or a medical procedure is postponed, and making ends meet will become even more difficult. Unfortunately, the reality is that the Alabama seafood fishing industry, as we know it today, may disappear.
So, ask your grocery store and local chefs to buy Alabama seafood. By doing so, you will help keep food on the table for others a while longer.
Rep. Spencer Collier
Alabama House of Representatives
Irvington
Read more: Anniston Star - Support Gulf fishing families
