Value of fishing lost in closure of launch

Recreational fishing is vital to local economies

I’m not what most would consider an anti-government ranter. I’m not a big-government fan, either. I just believe government has a role in our lives that probably can’t be rolled back without great pain to us all.

But I understand why people grind their teeth and demand to pay less in taxes while accusing government officials of being out of touch with their constituencies.

Take, for instance, the late-March decision by Plaquemines Parish officials to close the boat launch at Fort Jackson. The closure was done without fanfare — or even advanced notice. Signs just appeared that dared anyone to use the launch.

After a story about the closure appeared on LouisianaSportsman.com, those officials performed an about-face, lifting the closure in favor of making use of the launch an at-your-own-risk proposition.

At least that’s what Capt. Ryan Lambert, who was apoplectic over the appearance of the closure signs, tells us. Not a single Plaquemines Parish official has bothered to return our calls.

It’s great that the launch is again available for use, but what the original closure shows is that decision makers in this governmental body lost sight of the importance of recreational fishing to their parish and the constituents they purport to serve.

Recreational fishing is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Louisiana economy. The latest Sportfishing in America Report by the American Sportfishing Association estimates 2011 retail sales directly linked to recreational fishing at $958 million. When the ripple effect to the economy is added, that figure grew to nearly $1.5 billion. Yep, that’s with a “b.”

Salaries and wages tied to recreational fishing were in the neighborhood of $453 million. That’s money folks use to support their families.

And the impact of the fishing community is equally important to governmental agencies, with recreational fishing generating north of $93 million in state and local tax revenue in 2011.

Few can argue that Plaquemines Parish is a fishing backwater. Anglers head down Highway 23 every day to fish legendary fisheries such as Pointe a la Hache, Myrtle Grove, Buras and Venice.

And the bait shops, convenience stores, hotels and marinas — along with the Plaquemines Parish government — reap huge financial benefits. Fewer fishermen means less money spent on fuel, bait, ice, Honey Buns and sandwiches — which in turn means fewer jobs for the locals.

So it’s mystifying why public officials would do anything to make it more difficult for anglers. Instead, they should be bending over backward to entice even more fishermen to their parish.

About Andy Crawford 863 Articles
Andy Crawford has spent nearly his entire career writing about and photographing Louisiana’s hunting and fishing community. While he has written for national publications, even spending four years as a senior writer for B.A.S.S., Crawford never strayed far from the pages of Louisiana Sportsman. Learn more about his work at www.AndyCrawford.Photography.