“Seafood is not only a delicacy Louisiana is known for, but also a significant economic driver for the state and a way of life for thousands of Louisianans that must be protected.”
Louisiana is rich in history and tradition, and made up of working class people that truly embody that heritage and culture. Nowhere is this more prominent than in Louisiana’s seafood industry. When people think of Louisiana, they think of great music, great people, and great seafood.
That is why we must ensure this critical industry is positioned to endure and thrive. Market sensitivity and environmental and trade policies greatly affect seafood jobs. Although the free market allows for foreign competition, seafood jobs in Louisiana are jeopardized by foreign competitors that play by different rules.
Illegal seafood dumping is a serious issue in every Gulf Coast state. Seafood is one of the most sensitive food imports to trade and safety violations. Illegally subsidized imports can displace our domestic catch and hurt Louisiana fishermen with low prices. Fishermen deserve a fair playing field and ensuring that imports comply with the same safety standards as our domestic industry must be a priority.
Further, it is imperative that we make sure our producers and processors have access to a ready and willing workforce. That is why I am supportive of improving the H-2B Temporary Seasonal Worker Program. This program is vital to the success of Louisiana’s seafood industry, and in its current form is failing to provide the necessary workers needed for our industry to grow.
Finally, we must also ensure that any environmental policy issued by the federal government does not overly and unnecessarily harm our economy. All too often Washington bureaucrats at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgate ideologically-based regulations that are inconsiderate of real-world ramifications on important industries like seafood producers and processors.
More on Seafood
![Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish](https://clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Congressman-Clay-Higgins-1080x675.png)
Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish
LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released a statement in support of Governor Jeff Landry’s (R-LA) executive order requesting disaster assistance for the crawfish industry. “The...
![Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish](https://clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Congressman-Clay-Higgins-1080x675.png)
Higgins Advocates for Crawfish Drought and Freeze Relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting relief for Louisiana’s crawfish industry as a...
![Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish](https://clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Congressman-Clay-Higgins-1080x675.png)
Higgins Requests Relief for Louisiana Crawfish Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller requesting the remaining anti-dumping duties that were...
![Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish](https://clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Congressman-Clay-Higgins-1080x675.png)
Higgins Requests Relief for Louisiana Shrimping Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting the purchase of Gulf shrimp following market...
![Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish](https://clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Congressman-Clay-Higgins-1080x675.png)
Higgins Fights For Seafood Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter to Commissioner Califf of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the increased inspection of shrimp imports following...