http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/fus/fus06/fus_2006.pdfSee the table on page 6 of the above report. We can talk statistics and what someone says on the phone all you want, but the bottom line is Louisiana is not touching Alaska and the Gulf Coast is not touching the Pacific Coast in terms of seafood caught. I totally agree protecting the coastal wetlands along the Gulf Coast is a wise use of resources, as the ecological and economic benefits gained from such an endeavor are immense. Perhaps the 80% statistic you heard was the estuaries in Coastal Louisiana produce (as in spawn) 80% of the seafood caught in the
Gulf. That seems to be more in line with some statistics I’ve “heard” (but not bothered to confirm).
“Alaska led all states in volume with landings of 5.4 billion pounds, followed by Louisiana 844.0 million pounds; Washington 538.8 million pounds; Virginia 426.2 million pounds; and Massachusetts 383.5 million pounds.
Alaska led all states in value of landings with $1.3 billion, followed by Massachusetts, $436.9 million; Maine, $361.9 million; Louisiana, $201.7 million; and Texas $196.8 million.
Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska, was the leading U.S. port in quantity of commercial fishery landings, followed by; Intracoastal City, Louisiana; Reedville, Virginia; Kodiak, Alaska; Empire-Venice, Louisiana; and Pascagoula-Moss Point, Mississippi.
New Bedford, Massachusetts was the leading U.S. port in terms of value, followed by; Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska; Kodiak, Alaska; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Key West, Florida Tuna landings by U.S.-flag vessels at ports outside the continental United States amounted to 153.8 million pounds.”
crap all you want. But take per pound how many lbs of shrimp alone come out of Louisiana waters. Almost ALL shrimp in the gulf are reared in the Louisana estuaries. Do some research you will be amazed what the estuaries of Louisiana are responsible for.