Frustrations are growing in Terrebonne Parish as oil still lingers in the water. It’s impacting the seafood industry in the area. Right now, parish leaders say there is no exact timeline for when the water will be cleaned.
“It should have been cleaned up in the Gulf, but once it started getting on our shores, we started getting real concerned,” said Jeffery Gallet.
Gallet said the recent oil spill temporarily shut down his seafood company.
“So it’s steady with every storm, the blooms get washed up in the marsh, and the oil moves. We’re just worried about what’s to come; everyone’s on hold right now,” Gallet said.
It’s hitting the community that’s embedded in the seafood industry during their peak season.
Parish leaders say oil sheen covers many oysters and crabs.
“We have lots of questions, and we’re not getting answers, and fishermen don’t know what to do,” said Lisa Tillman.
On Monday, parish leaders discussed health concerns during the council meeting.
Councilwoman Kim Chauvin said she met with LDEQ and the state’s Department of Health on clean-up efforts, but those plans are unclear.
“It’s devastating to us, we’re trying to figure out, should we go out to catch, or should we not. Like, what do we do as an industry?” Chauvin said.
While parish leaders work out a plan with the “offshore oil port,” business owners are just trying to stay afloat.
“So, with customers down here and up north, they’re questioning what’s going on and happening with the catch. We have to explain there’s an oil spill,” Tillman said.
Chauvin said testing of the water is underway, and she expects to get results back in two weeks.
READ MORE:Oil spill still lingering, impacts oyster business in Terrebonne Parish
