OPEN LETTER TO CHAIRMAN ED RIGGS & PAMLICO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
By Jerry Schill
I’ve been involved with commercial fishing since I started with the North Carolina Fisheries Association in 1987. While it’s been a roller coaster ride from a political and bureaucratic standpoint, I have never experienced a low such as the one we’re going through now.
We just came off a major victory with the recent ruling of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of our shrimpers and while that felt real good, the reality of the current market situation due to the importation of mainly pond-raised shrimp has been devastating. I’m sure you’ve heard of the shrimpers’ plight either on social media or personal accounts from constituents.
Thank you for your unanimous approval Monday night of a resolution supporting a FISHERY RESOURCE DISASTER DETERMINATION.
In my opinion, the main issue here is not just financial relief, but that of addressing the imports. Seems like the U.S. is offering financial aid to those countries raising shrimp in ponds who then send it over here in direct competition with our own domestic fishing industry!
If we continue to lose the infrastructure of docks and fish houses due to the economic squeeze, we’ll never get them back. Since we’re talking about FOOD PRODUCERS, this isn’t just a matter of finances but one of national security. Yes, I do believe it’s that serious!
Thanks so much for your help with this issue! This stuff is so brazen of late it seems the fisheries bureaucracy has written off the industry both at the federal and state level!
Jerry Schill
Director of Government Relations
N.C. Fisheries Association, Inc.
PO Box 86
Morehead City, NC 28557
