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.

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.

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.