“Last year, the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway devastated Louisiana’s seafood and fishing industries, and I appreciate any assistance that helps restore our fisheries. There’s more to be done, though.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $58,343,185 in funding from the Department of Commerce to assist Louisiana fisheries impacted by the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in 2019.

“Last year, the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway devastated Louisiana’s seafood and fishing industries, and I appreciate any assistance that helps restore our fisheries. There’s more to be done, though,” said Kennedy.

This funding is authorized by Congress through the 2019 Consolidated and Supplemental Appropriations Act. These resources could help commercial and recreational fishermen, charter businesses, processors, shore-side infrastructure, subsistence users and fishing ecosystems. 

Kennedy continues to fight for direct payments to fishermen as the Louisiana industry struggles to recover.