The remains of Hurricane Isaac can still be seen in the fishing communities of southeastern Louisiana. Destroyed houses wait to be rebuilt. South Central Planning & Development Commission is working with Friends of the Fishermen to assist fishermen who need help navigating through the availability of grant money and loans Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
by Monica Skaggs/Louisiana Seafood News
The whipping rain, winds and devastating storm surge of Hurricane Isaac are history, but many Louisiana fishermen still need help repairing or replacing damaged boats and equipment.
Post-Isaac funding is available to those who are eligible through the Friends of the Fishermen Fund (FOF). The FOF Foundation will cover up to $250 in fees associated with the lending process for those in the seafood industry who need to borrow money to repair or replace tools of the trade. The assistance helps cover application or origination fees at banks, finance companies or lending institutions.
The South Central Planning & Development Commission (SCPDC) is working with FOF to assist fishermen who need help navigating through the availability of grant money and loans. One of eight state regional planning commissions, SCPDC formed a cooperative initiative with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department following Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.
“We are serving as the intermediary and want to help the citizens and fisheries,” said Kevin Belanger, chief executive officer of the Houma-based organization. “Our core mission is to help parishes plan for the future, and that includes local businesses and governmental entities.”
Storm brings more hardship to fishermen
Although Isaac didn’t pack the same punch as Katrina, it left a mark on the local fishing industry, particularly in low-lying areas including as Lafitte, Plaquemines Parish, Hopedale and Shell Beach. Locals once again had to deal with flooding, power outages, washed-up tar balls and yet another clean-up. For many, it also meant another disruption to their livelihood – fishing.
“We are serving as the intermediary and want to help the citizens and fisheries,” said Kevin Belanger, chief executive officer of the Houma-based organization. “Our core mission is to help parishes plan for the future, and that includes local businesses and governmental entities.” Photo: South Central Planning & Development
“Any time there is a natural or manmade disaster, businesses that do not have contingency plans in place to offset the economic impact they endure are looking for assistance,” Belanger said. “So the government, including fisheries and even endowments, which we have partnered with as well, work to make sure those impacted are given the resources that are available.”
Since Isaac, SCPDC has received some 300 calls from local fishermen and approximately 100 inquiries from businesses including sole proprietors. Many of those affected by the storm work in family-owned companies that have toiled for generations to catch some of the world’s finest seafood.
Formed in 2010
FOF was created in 2010 to support Louisiana fishermen after several disasters impacted coastal Louisiana and the fishing industry. FOF is the officially sanctioned fund of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB).
In addition to financial assistance for fishermen, FOF is partnering with SCPDC to provide language support services to Spanish and Vietnamese fishermen who need help completing forms and/or documents for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal programs.
For more information about assistance, call SCPDC at 985-655-1051 or 1-800-630-3791. Fishermen will need to provide documents showing the loss and/or damage and specifics on fees associated with an approved loan. In addition, SCPDC has low-interest 4 percent loans available.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the FOF Fund, visit www.friendsofthefishermen.org.
The whipping rain, winds and devastating storm surge of Hurricane Isaac are history, but many Louisiana fishermen still need help repairing or replacing damaged boats and equipment. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
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