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News: 2008

L.D.W.F. Extends Deadline for Hurricane Katrina and Rita Fisheries Assistance Program
Program Has Dispensed Nearly $19 Million to Date
Posted: 10/27/08

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today the extension of the deadline to submit required forms for the Hurricane Katrina and Rita Federal Fisheries Economic Assistance program to Dec. 1, 2008.

The program was created for prequalified (2004-2005) licensed resident commercial fishermen, certain commercial fishing vessel license holders, wholesale/retail seafood dealers and charter boat fishing guides impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

To date, LDWF has dispensed $18.8 million to more than 3,700 qualified applicants. In May 2008, LDWF mailed nearly 9,000 information packets to individuals and entities that were determined prequalified for the program. Although some eligible participants have chosen not to participate, approximately 1,700 eligible participants have failed to submit necessary documents.

“In consideration of the number of participants who have not responded, LDWF has extended this deadline to provide added economic opportunity to those in the Louisiana fishing industry,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.

LDWF is providing $28.2 million in assistance to the state's commercial fishing and charter boat industries through a $41.3 million federal fisheries economic assistance grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Louisiana resident commercial fishermen, certain commercial fishing vessel license holders and wholesale/retail seafood dealers with trip ticket recorded sales or purchases of seafood during the 12-month period (Sept. 1, 2004 - Aug. 31, 2005) prior to Hurricane Katrina as well as Louisiana resident charter boat operators who held a LDWF charter boat fishing guide license in the qualifying period (Sept. 1, 2004 - Aug. 31, 2005) qualify for some level of personal assistance.

LDWF requires trip tickets to collect commercial landings and associated information by trip. Trip tickets dated during the eligible period but submitted after Sept. 1, 2007 will not be considered.

LDWF is administering the distribution of personal assistance payments to qualified resident charter boat fishing guides, commercial resident shrimp, oyster, crab, and saltwater finfish fishermen and certain commercial fishing vessel license holders in the shrimp, oyster, saltwater fish and menhaden fisheries and wholesale/retail seafood dealers and freshwater finfish and wild crawfish fishermen who resided in the 27 LDWF- defined hurricane impacted parishes using trip ticket report records.

The South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) and affiliated planning districts are receiving and processing all information about this assistance program and anyone who is qualified to receive assistance and has not received a packet should contact the SCPDC as soon as possible by calling 1-800-630-3791 (toll-free) or 985 655-1051 (local) or mailing SCPDC at P.O. Box 1240, Gray, LA 70359-9902 or visiting the SCPDC Web site at www.scpdc.org/fisheriesassistance. Any questions concerning eligibility, requests for information, etc. should also be directed to the SCPDC.

Many eligible participants have moved or been displaced by the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as Gustav and Ike and have not renewed their fishing licenses, leaving LDWF with out-dated address information. LDWF is examining all available databases in order to contact non-respondents and suggests that anyone in touch with these qualifying participants urge them to contact the SCPDC as soon as possible.

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