Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) has requested a fishery disaster declaration for coastal Georgia due to a shrimping prohibition resulting from cold water temperatures. Carter also expressed support for Chatham County's request for aid. 

In a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Carter wrote, "In early January, the State of Georgia closed its waters to harvesting brown, pink, or white shrimp, and those waters remain closed. On January 24, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) closed federal waters to shrimping under the direction of South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin (FB 18-006). Although NOAA has recently reopened federal water to shrimping, the loss of this time period for shrimping has been detrimental to the economic vitality of the industry. 

"With the closure of both federal and non-federal waters, shrimpers have not been able to earn income since the closures. The seafood industry in Georgia is responsible for economic activity in excess of $1 billion, and the industry supports thousands of jobs. The University of Georgia states that a fleet of more than 500 boats along the Georgia coast annually harvests between 4.5 million and 9.5 million pounds of shrimp. This closure has caused devastating financial impacts to coastal residents both directly and indirectly involved in the coastal shrimping industry. The hardworking residents of coastal Georgia have had their livelihoods jeopardized for four months, leaving them in financially risky situations."

To read Carter's full request letter to Secretary Ross, click here.