Live from the Gulf: Shrimpers and Fishers Want Drilling Ban Lifted
Nicolas Loris /
Every year, residents of the Gulf come to Morgan City, Louisiana to celebrate the lifeblood of the region’s economy: seafood and oil. This September marks the 75th anniversary of this symbiotic relationship. The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival emphasizes “the unique way in which these two seemingly different industries work hand-in-hand culturally and environmentally in this area of the ‘Cajun Coast’.” One might think the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil spill would significantly mar this relationship, and the seafood industry would vociferously support President Obama’s offshore drilling moratorium. But the reality is just the opposite is true; the spill has strengthened the bond between the oil and seafood industry and the shrimpers and fishers have been as vocal as anyone in lifting the offshore drilling ban.
Without any scientific or technological basis for banning offshore drilling, it is senseless policy that is pouring salt into the economic wounds of the Gulf. Peter Vujnovich, a third generation oyster farmer and owner of Captain Pete’s Oysters said, “Even though the oil industry and the seafood industry have conflicts, we need each other. I use a tremendous amount of fuel in my (seafood) farming operations and it seems senseless at this time when the economy is down and jobs are at stake to shut down such a major part of Louisiana’s income and job opportunities.”