Many have asked me lately if we are working with BP's "vessel of opportunity program" (VOO). The answer to that question is no. We did filled out an application very soon after the program started wanting to have that option available in the event our business was interrupted. BP promised to give top priority to fishermen.
When the program began we were told to fill out the application which we did after consulting with an attorney and then hand delivered it to the BP outreach office in Panama City Florida. The person that accepted the application indicated it would be faxed to the Mobile office at the end of that business day. We were supposed to be contacted after that to take a "yellow card" class. Evidently all participants have to have a yellow id card as proof they have attended an orientation and safety meeting.
Then we waited and waited to find out we would be needed. We have yet to be called about a class and cannot find out if our contract was even received by BP. I was advised by others in the industry to contact BP via phone to see if we were even listed in the database. Repeated calls failed to find out anything. In the meantime we started seeing vessels mobilized in Panama City, Port St. Joe, and Apalachicola.
Finally out of desperation and fear we attended a meeting with Florida's Senator Bill Nelson in Panama City. Senator Nelson said that he would find out what the problem was with the VOO program with regards to mobilization of commercial fishermen and charter fishermen and also check on why such large numbers of out of state vessels were doing work that these two groups could do.
We also attended a meeting with Florida State Attorney General Bill McCullom and a BP representative in Panama City and he too promised to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on with the VOO program.
The situation is basically that the program is so ripe with corruption we do not anticipate being able to participate. Contracts were issued to elected officials and their family members with no regard to whether or not they were actually a commercial or charter fisherman. Having a contact within the belly of the beast has revealed a lot more information. Some individuals were able to wind up with multiple contracts and sometimes dozens. It did not seem to matter much if they were in the fishing business or even owned a boat.
When you get a contract or multiple contracts you can sub contract with a fisherman who has a boat. It works like this. A boat the size of mine would be paid $1500 per day plus $200 a day for one crewman. That may sound like a lot of money to some but compared to what we make fishing one day at this time of year it is a fair price. Now if you do not have a contract a person who may not even own a boat will offer you $400 per day. That leaves $1300 per day in profit for the man who holds the contracts.
My inside source told me this week BP did release one individual that was holding 28 contracts between the Alabama line and Carabelle, Florida. Who knows how bad the corruption is but the way BP is throwing around money I firmly believe they will declare bankruptcy very soon.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Media Or Propaganda
Some of you might be interested in how the media is trying to play with this Deepwater Horizon incident. Read the two passages below from my email.
"This needs to be shared with everyone. I received a call yesterday from Jason with KABC radio in Los Angeles to be on their morning talk show this morning. They set the time and called prior to the show. In addition to discussing the oil spill and how it has affected fishermen, they wanted to discuss the mercury issue. Prior to the show this morning they called and asked me questions about the impact of the oil and what we did when we brought fish up covered with oil. They asked how we marketed our fish that were contaminated with mercury. I told the guy that it was illegal to sell any recreationally caught fish from the Gulf and that the vast majority of the fish we catch have very low levels of mercury and are perfectly safe to consume. I told him I had been eating lots of fish out of the Gulf since I was 12 and have no indication of having any health problems with mercury. I told him none of the fish we harvest are covered in oil nor are they contaminated by any oil. I explained that although we have serious concerns about possible long term impacts of the oil on our Gulf resources, all the seafood coming from the gulf is save and oil free. I explained that what is really hurting us along the coast is the constant media reports of oil on the beaches and more headed our way. I told him that the closest point of oil to FL is about 60 and most is outside 150 or more and really not expected to hit our coasts unless there are major weather and current changes. He asked what the impact on us was and I told him my business was down about 90% and most hotels in our area had booking for Memorial Day weekend at levels of 50% or less due to the media reports of oil on our beaches or near them and contaminated fish. I told him that traditionally the hotels were at 90% or better for Memorial Day weekend. I was to be on his show at 7:30 AM PST and our conversation went to 7:35. I had explained that the NOAA/NMFS had created a roaming fishery closure that changed almost daily as the condition of the spill changed and that no fish were being harvested from the area so that all fish harvested from the Gulf are safe to consume and oil free. He asked if I had ever sold fish and I told him I had and knew many commercial fishermen and they were all concerned but they are only producing fish safe to consume and none were catching fish covered with oil. After he was not able to get me to tell him that our fish contained large amounts of mercury and were covered in oil, he told me that the show needed more time on the subject they were discussing prior to when I was supposed to be on and could we do this on Monday. I told him I would be available on Monday and would be glad to be on it. I send this because of the impression I have from the conversation I had with this guy that he did not want to hear anything positive that our fish are clean, not contaminated, not soaked in oil or mercury. The impact on us and our states of lost business being caused by media reports and misleading the public was not a topic to be discussed. It was clear to me that they wanted someone on the show to tell their audience that all gulf fish were covered with oil, our beaches were covered, and all gulf fish contained large amounts of mercury. If I get called back to do the show on Monday I will pass along the info but I doubt I will be called back. I fear that this is the attitude that most media is taking on our situation and I am not sure if enough money can be spent in any media campaign to counter this. Just a heads up on my experience which has pretty much confirmed my belief that media only wants bad news and not the truth. Capt Bob Zales, II"
"Bob---Thanks for sending this along. I spoke with Jason from ABC radio yesterday afternoon with the same results. He asked if I could be on the radio on Monday morning. After a 10 minute discussion similar to Capt. Zales he said he would call back to set up the interview and has not yet done that. He seemed to want to hear doom and gloom and oily and polluted fish. Sad state of affairs relating to this. Reminds me of some scientists who develop a hypothesis and only pay attention to results that prove it and not any other science.---Thanks for passing along!---Mike voisin"
"This needs to be shared with everyone. I received a call yesterday from Jason with KABC radio in Los Angeles to be on their morning talk show this morning. They set the time and called prior to the show. In addition to discussing the oil spill and how it has affected fishermen, they wanted to discuss the mercury issue. Prior to the show this morning they called and asked me questions about the impact of the oil and what we did when we brought fish up covered with oil. They asked how we marketed our fish that were contaminated with mercury. I told the guy that it was illegal to sell any recreationally caught fish from the Gulf and that the vast majority of the fish we catch have very low levels of mercury and are perfectly safe to consume. I told him I had been eating lots of fish out of the Gulf since I was 12 and have no indication of having any health problems with mercury. I told him none of the fish we harvest are covered in oil nor are they contaminated by any oil. I explained that although we have serious concerns about possible long term impacts of the oil on our Gulf resources, all the seafood coming from the gulf is save and oil free. I explained that what is really hurting us along the coast is the constant media reports of oil on the beaches and more headed our way. I told him that the closest point of oil to FL is about 60 and most is outside 150 or more and really not expected to hit our coasts unless there are major weather and current changes. He asked what the impact on us was and I told him my business was down about 90% and most hotels in our area had booking for Memorial Day weekend at levels of 50% or less due to the media reports of oil on our beaches or near them and contaminated fish. I told him that traditionally the hotels were at 90% or better for Memorial Day weekend. I was to be on his show at 7:30 AM PST and our conversation went to 7:35. I had explained that the NOAA/NMFS had created a roaming fishery closure that changed almost daily as the condition of the spill changed and that no fish were being harvested from the area so that all fish harvested from the Gulf are safe to consume and oil free. He asked if I had ever sold fish and I told him I had and knew many commercial fishermen and they were all concerned but they are only producing fish safe to consume and none were catching fish covered with oil. After he was not able to get me to tell him that our fish contained large amounts of mercury and were covered in oil, he told me that the show needed more time on the subject they were discussing prior to when I was supposed to be on and could we do this on Monday. I told him I would be available on Monday and would be glad to be on it. I send this because of the impression I have from the conversation I had with this guy that he did not want to hear anything positive that our fish are clean, not contaminated, not soaked in oil or mercury. The impact on us and our states of lost business being caused by media reports and misleading the public was not a topic to be discussed. It was clear to me that they wanted someone on the show to tell their audience that all gulf fish were covered with oil, our beaches were covered, and all gulf fish contained large amounts of mercury. If I get called back to do the show on Monday I will pass along the info but I doubt I will be called back. I fear that this is the attitude that most media is taking on our situation and I am not sure if enough money can be spent in any media campaign to counter this. Just a heads up on my experience which has pretty much confirmed my belief that media only wants bad news and not the truth. Capt Bob Zales, II"
"Bob---Thanks for sending this along. I spoke with Jason from ABC radio yesterday afternoon with the same results. He asked if I could be on the radio on Monday morning. After a 10 minute discussion similar to Capt. Zales he said he would call back to set up the interview and has not yet done that. He seemed to want to hear doom and gloom and oily and polluted fish. Sad state of affairs relating to this. Reminds me of some scientists who develop a hypothesis and only pay attention to results that prove it and not any other science.---Thanks for passing along!---Mike voisin"
Friday, May 21, 2010
Here it comes!
I despise the propaganda machine or old media. Below is an email I received from Capt. Bob Zales today. Bob has been extremely active with fisheries issues and the National Association of Charter Boat Operators (NACO) for many years. We as charter fishermen all owe people like Bob a lot of thanks for the tireless work they do:
This needs to be shared with everyone. I received a call yesterday from Jason with KABC radio in Los Angeles to be on their morning talk show this morning. They set the time and called prior to the show. In addition to discussing the oil spill and how it has affected fishermen, they wanted to discuss the mercury issue.
Prior to the show this morning they called and asked me questions about the impact of the oil and what we did when we brought fish up covered with oil. They asked how we marketed our fish that were contaminated with mercury. I told the guy that it was illegal to sell any recreationally caught fish from the Gulf and that the vast majority of the fish we catch have very low levels of mercury and are perfectly safe to consume. I told him I had been eating lots of fish out of the Gulf since I was 12 and have no indication of having any health problems with mercury. I told him none of the fish we harvest are covered in oil nor are they contaminated by any oil. I explained that although we have serious concerns about possible long term impacts of the oil on our Gulf resources, all the seafood coming from the gulf is save and oil free. I explained that what is really hurting us along the coast is the constant media reports of oil on the beaches and more headed our way. I told him that the closest point of oil to FL is about 60 and most is outside 150 or more and really not expected to hit our coasts unless there are major weather and current changes.
He asked what the impact on us was and I told him my business was down about 90% and most hotels in our area had booking for Memorial Day weekend at levels of 50% or less due to the media reports of oil on our beaches or near them and contaminated fish. I told him that traditionally the hotels were at 90% or better for Memorial Day weekend. I was to be on his show at 7:30 AM PST and our conversation went to 7:35. I had explained that the NOAA/NMFS had created a roaming fishery closure that changed almost daily as the condition of the spill changed and that no fish were being harvested from the area so that all fish harvested from the Gulf are safe to consume and oil free. He asked if I had ever sold fish and I told him I had and knew many commercial fishermen and they were all concerned but they are only producing fish safe to consume and none were catching fish covered with oil. After he was not able to get me to tell him that our fish contained large amounts of mercury and were covered in oil, he told me that the show needed more time on the subject they were discussing prior to when I was supposed to be on and could we do this on Monday. I told him I would be available on Monday and would be glad to be on it.
I send this because of the impression I have from the conversation I had with this guy that he did not want to hear anything positive that our fish are clean, not contaminated, not soaked in oil or mercury. The impact on us and our states of lost business being caused by media reports and misleading the public was not a topic to be discussed. It was clear to me that they wanted someone on the show to tell their audience that all gulf fish were covered with oil, our beaches were covered, and all gulf fish contained large amounts of mercury. If I get called back to do the show on Monday I will pass along the info but I doubt I will be called back. I fear that this is the attitude that most media is taking on our situation and I am not sure if enough money can be spent in any media campaign to counter this. Just a heads up on my experience which has pretty much confirmed my belief that media only wants bad news and not the truth.
Capt Bob Zales, II
Corruption or Stupidity?
It is hard to understand the stupidity or corruption of what is going on in this country. With the BP Deepwater Horizon incident many fishermen and coastal communities have been affected. BP to their credit has helped out my business. For that I thank them. The old media is working overtime to blow up our entire fishing economy in order to implement their political agenda which involves making this country less energy independent. Now if that is not enough you see something like this. What in the hell has happened to people in this country?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Please Help Gulf Coast Fishermen!
I post this asking your help. I live and make a living on the Gulf of Mexico. I personally witnessed yesterday what could very well be people in the United States in violation of federal law engaged in work related to oil spill response to the Deepwater Horizon Incident. I know some will call me racist but I could care less. Most fishermen are that way because our skins thicken from all the sun. Could I be wrong? I could be and if I am would be glad to apologize, but what would you think after I tell you what I and others have seen.
Several days ago I went to a nearby response staging area to take photos and video to send to my customers to show government and BP's response in our area. Our business is suffering terribly from the media's hyperventilating excitement over the impending oily Armageddon that was suppose to hit us three weeks ago. We had hoped to take positive steps to keep our customers informed of just what was going on. Our particular area is over 150 miles from the closest oil sheen. The weather has been perfect our beaches are clean, our fishing is great, and our boats are tied to the docks. We get no phone calls or emails for reservations. Typically we would be looking forward to a bad weather day to get some rest.
What I saw and documented has troubled me. We asked these individuals where they were from. Orders (not in English) were given not to speak with us and do not look at the cameras. These individuals and their supervisors seemed uncomfortable as we did so we left.
The photos are not as good as I had hoped they would they be. I would estimate there were close to 200 standing by to load oil containment booms and although you can't really tell from the photos. Many are actually laying down almost on top of each other in the shade of tents. Driving past the security guards and police officers we passed a parking lot filled with equipment including a large number of high capacity rental passenger vans.
I have no information as to whether they were contracted by the federal, state, local government, or BP. BP had promised at meetings I attended to help fishermen along the Gulf coast affected by the incident with jobs helping with the prevention and clean up effort. BP started a program called "Vessels Of Opportunity" to involve fishermen in the clean up effort. We attended their training sessions and contracts were distributed. To my knowledge no one in our area that I know has a signed contract.
Upon returning home I made a call to a friend in another port in my state directly involved in the clean up operation. He confirmed the situation at his location. In Louisiana I contacted another friend with an occupation I can't mention but have known for years and trust. His response was let me make some calls.
He called back quickly. He confirmed that ICE indeed had been dispatched to stop large numbers of illegals traveling to Louisiana's coastal areas to apply for checks BP was giving out in the amount of $5000. He indicated that he would try and help document any evidence to what we had witnessed in his area and would make additional phone calls.
What I am asking from you is to help document this in your state and stop it. People along the Gulf involved in fishing have been devastated by out of control federal regulation and this incident is pushing many to the breaking point. These fishermen for the most part do not want a handout, a lawsuit, or unemployment. They want to go fishing but can't due to overly restrictive and unnecessary federal regulations, fisheries closures or just a lack of business due to the climate created by the media. These people need work and are willing and able to do these jobs if offered the chance.
I have since heard from additional fishermen and individuals directly involved in the clean up operation and they have the exact impressions and same concerns as I do. If individuals from foreign countries are being provided transportation, provided with lodging, and provided employment by BP, their contractors, state government, or local goverment it is just wrong. I have been told hourly rates for the labor to just to load these booms is between $18-45 per hour.
I am still in favor of drilling for oil onshore and offshore. Eleven men lost their lives on the Deepwater Horizon. They were trying to help us all enjoy a higher standard of living and they like all fishermen know that shit happens at sea.
Several days ago I went to a nearby response staging area to take photos and video to send to my customers to show government and BP's response in our area. Our business is suffering terribly from the media's hyperventilating excitement over the impending oily Armageddon that was suppose to hit us three weeks ago. We had hoped to take positive steps to keep our customers informed of just what was going on. Our particular area is over 150 miles from the closest oil sheen. The weather has been perfect our beaches are clean, our fishing is great, and our boats are tied to the docks. We get no phone calls or emails for reservations. Typically we would be looking forward to a bad weather day to get some rest.
What I saw and documented has troubled me. We asked these individuals where they were from. Orders (not in English) were given not to speak with us and do not look at the cameras. These individuals and their supervisors seemed uncomfortable as we did so we left.
The photos are not as good as I had hoped they would they be. I would estimate there were close to 200 standing by to load oil containment booms and although you can't really tell from the photos. Many are actually laying down almost on top of each other in the shade of tents. Driving past the security guards and police officers we passed a parking lot filled with equipment including a large number of high capacity rental passenger vans.
I have no information as to whether they were contracted by the federal, state, local government, or BP. BP had promised at meetings I attended to help fishermen along the Gulf coast affected by the incident with jobs helping with the prevention and clean up effort. BP started a program called "Vessels Of Opportunity" to involve fishermen in the clean up effort. We attended their training sessions and contracts were distributed. To my knowledge no one in our area that I know has a signed contract.
Upon returning home I made a call to a friend in another port in my state directly involved in the clean up operation. He confirmed the situation at his location. In Louisiana I contacted another friend with an occupation I can't mention but have known for years and trust. His response was let me make some calls.
He called back quickly. He confirmed that ICE indeed had been dispatched to stop large numbers of illegals traveling to Louisiana's coastal areas to apply for checks BP was giving out in the amount of $5000. He indicated that he would try and help document any evidence to what we had witnessed in his area and would make additional phone calls.
What I am asking from you is to help document this in your state and stop it. People along the Gulf involved in fishing have been devastated by out of control federal regulation and this incident is pushing many to the breaking point. These fishermen for the most part do not want a handout, a lawsuit, or unemployment. They want to go fishing but can't due to overly restrictive and unnecessary federal regulations, fisheries closures or just a lack of business due to the climate created by the media. These people need work and are willing and able to do these jobs if offered the chance.
I have since heard from additional fishermen and individuals directly involved in the clean up operation and they have the exact impressions and same concerns as I do. If individuals from foreign countries are being provided transportation, provided with lodging, and provided employment by BP, their contractors, state government, or local goverment it is just wrong. I have been told hourly rates for the labor to just to load these booms is between $18-45 per hour.
Below are a list of the staging areas:
Cocodrie, La
Biloxi, Miss
Pensacola, Fla.
Venice, La.
Pascagoula, Miss.
Grand Isle, La.
Pass Christian, Miss.
Panama City, Fla.
Dauphin Island, Ala.
Shell Beach, La.
Slidell, La.
Theodore, Ala.
Orange Beach, Ala.
Amelia, La.
Cocodrie, La
Biloxi, Miss
Pensacola, Fla.
Venice, La.
Pascagoula, Miss.
Grand Isle, La.
Pass Christian, Miss.
Panama City, Fla.
Dauphin Island, Ala.
Shell Beach, La.
Slidell, La.
Theodore, Ala.
Orange Beach, Ala.
Amelia, La.
I am still in favor of drilling for oil onshore and offshore. Eleven men lost their lives on the Deepwater Horizon. They were trying to help us all enjoy a higher standard of living and they like all fishermen know that shit happens at sea.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Get the hell out of the way!
Please go to this website and watch the video. I ran into the daughter of the developer of this process in our grocery store. She is client of mine and she has lived on Mexico Beach for years. She asked me almost in tears to help her send this to someone that could suggest it's use. I had no idea about who her father was or what his occupation had been.
She indicated she had called, emailed, and faxed as many of her elected representatives as she could with no results. She begged me to look at the website I am sending you. She stated that they have never been able to get EPA approval for domestic use but the process is in use all over the world for just such incidents.
The fact that the EPA would not approve the use of this technology does not surprise me anymore. That agency has dedicated itself to the destruction of domestic energy production and this incident is a gift to them. One thing that struck me about that trip to Washington DC was how the size of the EPA building dwarfed the Justice Department which is right next door.
State and local goverment needs to tell the EPA and Federal Government to get the hell out of the way.
She indicated she had called, emailed, and faxed as many of her elected representatives as she could with no results. She begged me to look at the website I am sending you. She stated that they have never been able to get EPA approval for domestic use but the process is in use all over the world for just such incidents.
The fact that the EPA would not approve the use of this technology does not surprise me anymore. That agency has dedicated itself to the destruction of domestic energy production and this incident is a gift to them. One thing that struck me about that trip to Washington DC was how the size of the EPA building dwarfed the Justice Department which is right next door.
State and local goverment needs to tell the EPA and Federal Government to get the hell out of the way.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Gulf Oil Spill
Folks the gulf coast needs your help. We need visitors so we can go to work. There is no oil on our beaches, our seafood is great, and the air is not poisonous.
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