State Wildlife will receive approximately $58 million in federal disaster assistance for resiliency projects stemming from the historic 2019 Mississippi and Atchafalaya flood. Jason Froeba in the Office of Fisheries with LDWF said approval of the funding is extremely important for the state and Louisiana’s commercial fishing industry.
“It allows us to begin the work that’s needed to provide some of this funding to the communities and to the businesses, and individuals that need it to start to recover,” said Froeba.
Froeba said the largest portion of the funding is dedicated to an equipment reimbursement program for the commercial industry. He said docks, processors, commercial fishermen, vessel owners, and charter captains, will be eligible for funding reimbursement.
“For equipment that helps them advance their business, either in terms of resiliency against future flooding events and future disasters or makes them more efficient or more economically viable,” said Froeba.
in 2019 freshwater that was released into the gulf, due to rising waters on the Mississippi via the Bonnet Carre Spillway pushed seafood out farther and damaged oyster bays. Froeba said the estimated damage was more than $ 100 million.
In addition to the reimbursement program, Froeba said they have funding for public oyster sea grounds that are open to the public for fishing and monies for commercial and charter access grants.
“And we have some money going towards some research. And we hope those things are going to advance the industry and help it recover,” said Froeba.
LDWF plans to hold informational public meetings next month about the projects.
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