VADM Lautenbacher testifies before House Resources Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee At a March 21st hearing in Gretna, LA, the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Chairman Gilchrest , and Reps. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) and Charlie Melancon (D-LA) focused on seafood safety, debris cleanup, needs of the industry, and pledged to be advocates for this sector in Congress. Several local witnesses expressed frustration with some aspects of the Federal response to the needs of the fishing communities, but were largely complimentary of NOAA’s work. “Nearly seven months after the storms, our fishing communities look as if they were hit by the storms yesterday,” said Harlon Pearce, chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. The Members agreed that fishermen, “…don’t want handouts…they just want to work,” and they stated that every opportunity should be available to get them, “to get back on the water.”
VADM Lautenbacher testifies before House Resources Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee
At a March 21st hearing in Gretna, LA, the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
testified before the House Resources Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee (Chair Wayne Gilchrest, R-MD). The Vice Admiral spoke of NOAA’s role in the initial rebuilding efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the agency’s longer term vision for management and rebuilding of Gulf of Mexico fishery resources.Chairman Gilchrest , and Reps. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) and Charlie Melancon (D-LA) focused on seafood safety, debris cleanup, needs of the industry, and pledged to be advocates for this sector in Congress. Several local witnesses expressed frustration with some aspects of the Federal response to the needs of the fishing communities, but were largely complimentary of NOAA’s work. “Nearly seven months after the storms, our fishing communities look as if they were hit by the storms yesterday,” said Harlon Pearce, chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. The Members agreed that fishermen, “…don’t want handouts…they just want to work,” and they stated that every opportunity should be available to get them, “to get back on the water.”