Gulf Oil Spill

In 2008, commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico harvested 1.27 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish. Commercial fishermen earned $659 million in total landings revenue in 2008. Two of the largest commercial fishing operations in the Gulf of Mexico are red snapper and shrimp. Brown shrimp is the most important species in the U.S. Gulf fishery, with principal catches made from June through October. The following shrimp species are found in the Gulf of Mexico: Brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus), White shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus), Pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum), Royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus), Seabobs (Xiphopenaeus kroveri) – incidental bycatch, Rock shrimp (Sicyonia brevirostris) – incidental bycatch (source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA’s Oil Spill Response, “Fact Sheet: Fishing Industry in the Gulf of Mexico”).

No Fishing Zone Updates:

How to File a Claim with BP

Current information from NOAA on the Deep Water Horizon/ Oil Spill Response

CFA Tells BP “NEVER AGAIN!”
In an event sponsored in part by the Commercial Fishermen of America, Gulf Coast community members– including fishermen and families– sent the message “NEVER AGAIN” to British Petroleum and the federal government. This impassioned plea from those directly impacted by the massive BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill included calls served as a call to action for a full clean up of the spill, restitution for lost jobs and income, and accelerated efforts towards green energy.

Read More about the Commercial Fishermen of America’s Message to BP Click Here

CFA President Offers Services of Fishermen to Aid in Gulf Clean-up Effort
In May, CFA president Jim Ruhle sent a letter to BP’s Deep Water Horizon Response Team offering the services of commercial fishermen to assist in the Gulf clean-up effort. A Fishing for Oil program was proposed to include Fishermen who have significant experience in operating large fishing vessels in “Pair Trawling” — this involves two vessels towing one net. These skills were expected to be helpful in collecting oil.

Read Commercial Fishermen of America’s letter to BP: Click Here

The Commercial Fishermen of America’s Statement on the Gulf Oil Spill

The Commercial Fishermen of America stands in support of our brothers and sisters in the Gulf of Mexico and the repeated disasters, first natural and now man-made, that they and their families are having to endure. The coastal wetlands now being devastated are source to some our nation’s most productive fisheries. The fishing communities’ unrivaled knowledge of these coasts and ready resources should be recruited immediately as we make every effort to minimize the spill’s impact, protect the coast and begin to address the damage.

Fishermen everywhere expect that no effort will be spared to restore not only the Gulf ecology, but also the communities and economies that rely on it.

If you would like to donate to fishermen that have been affected by the spill, you can send donations to either:
1) United Commercial Fishermen’s Association, 3413 Don Redden Court, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70820
2) Association of Family Fishermen, P.O. Box 336, Barataria, LA 70036