ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. — Officials are calling on the federal government for help because their $4 billion fishing industry is seeing epic declines in production. Whether they're commercial or charter, fishermen are hurt and they say something needs to be done.
"I'm blessed to have 60 years at it," said Charles Thonn.
St. Bernard Parish is a fisherman's hot spot.
"It's a culture and a heritage," said George Ricks. "My father did it, my grandfather did it, it's all we know.
A once-thriving industry, though, has progressively suffered. Especially this year, with the double opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
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"For me, I'm old," said Thomas Gonzales. "The younger generation that's what I'm concerned about."
"We're getting it from all angles," said Ricks. "We're seeing dead dolphins, dead oysters, a 65% drop in shrimp production, 45% drop in our crab production and these fisherman can't take this kind of lick."
"It's a saltwater product," said Gonzales. "You need saltwater, fresh water will not do it."
Concern has spread to parish leaders, who on Tuesday announced enough is enough and help is needed.
"We need money today," said Parish President Guy McInnis. "Our guys are trying to pay bills today. Right now, there's already an authorization for $150 million for these types of disasters. I think we're going to need more than that."
Getting more money though, could take time. And while time, many believe, is running out, these fishermen say they'll do what they can to try and keep the industry alive.
"My two sons want to be in this business," Thonn said. "It's really bleak."
"The mood is depressed," said Ricks. "These guys have bounced back from the BP Oil Spill, we've bounced back from Katrina, they've adapted. But this is a tough thing to adapt too."