Description

A fourth generation shrimper based out of Venice, LA described how he, his brother, his father, and his cousin all had shrimp boats docketed at the Venice Marina, and had lost this year's brown shrimp season due to the spill, and were about to miss the rest. He built his boat himself over four years post-K, and had yet to go out in it. His brother & dad hold large notes on the boats they had to buy to replace the ones they lost in 2005. He feared if one shrimper lost his business, they would all go down like dominoes because they all need to have a full haul to keep the local processor open. Feared there would be no shrimp next season.

They wanted to get out to help prevent the oil from hitting shore, but the water was too choppy and neither BP or the government had pulled together a plan. He had just gotten certified in disaster response by BP, but refused to sign the waiver they handed out because it basically said BP wouldn't pay for any injury they sustained in the effort FOREVER--