Dear Stacy-

The fishermen of Venice, Plaquemines Parish and South Louisiana need your help!

The fishing industry in Venice and surrounding areas has been hit hard with a devastating catastrophe- the oil spill crisis, which has been blasted across the media worldwide. It has led the world to believe that all fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and oyster harvesting in South Louisiana has been totally devastated.

This "doom and gloom" attitude will need all our resources to be reversed in the upcoming days.

The commercial fishing industry, along with the recreational fishing industry, are two of the top three industries in our Parish. The curtailing of these two major industries is having a domino effect on the people of Plaquemines Parish and South Louisiana.

Thousands of people in the fishing industry are worrying about where their next paycheck will come from.

One of the thoughts that continually crosses their minds is, when this crisis is over, “Will the nation even remember us and come to our area to fish our waters and buy our seafood?”

Myself and others in the industry are putting together a plan for positive publicity as soon as the oil spill is contained and the oil cleaned up.

We will need the help of every fishing related industry in Louisiana and will also need the oil companies to work with us promoting Louisiana’s seafood industry and the recreational fishing industry which we will so despartely need for our fishermen in Louisiana.

Please help us pass the word that as soon as this crisis is over, the fishermen of Plaquemines Parish and South Louisiana will be back in our waters, the seafood will be there to harvest, and the guides will be available to take anglers from all over the world to some of the finest fishing known to mankind!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please spread the word “We’re not dead and we will be back”.

P.S.

Over $5 billion dollars is generated by the fishing industries in Louisiana.

Can our state afford to lose a five billion dollar industry?

Sincerely,

Capt. Dave Ballay,

Venice Marine and Outdoor Consultants,

on behalf of the Venice, Plaquemines Parish and South Louisiana Fishing industry