C2P2 has agreed to partner with Coastal Communities Consulting (CCC) to establish a list of needs that could be met through C2P2’s established college and universities’ network. Coastal Communities Consulting (CCC) is a non-profit organization that serves Southeast Louisiana’s fishermen through social support services, economic development, and disaster assistance in multiple languages to non- or little-English speakers. CCC has been a valuable partner to EDF and the RESTORE the Mississippi River Delta Campaign, providing advice and guidance for navigating the complexities of government regulations and programs.
Given COVID-19 and other stressors for CCC clients and the organization itself, C2P2 will work with Sandy Ha Ngyuen [Executive Director of CCC] to establish a list of needs that could be met through C2P2’s established college and universities’ network, prioritize those needs to ensure CCC priorities are met, and create a partnership within C2P2’s network to address CCC issues and establish lines of communication between both entities.
Timeline of Events
On May 16th and 17th, 2021; Mike Burns and Sandy Ha Ngyuen met and spoke to several boat owners and fishermen in the area. Through this tour, Mike learned more about the lingering impacts of Hurricane Katrina in S. Louisiana. Sandy also spoke about the Diversion Project (rebuilding coastal land by diverting the Mississippi River) and how many fishermen understood the project is needed, but also understood how it will destroy the oyster industry. Shrimp and crabs will move farther out to sea, past the three-mile limit. Fishermen must be U.S. citizens to fish outside of three miles and have a larger boat, leaving many Asian, Black, and White fishermen out of project conversations. Sandy also stressed the need to expand her operation to better support the needs of fishermen adaptation to the divergence project. Sandy sent Mike materials regarding the divergence project, which Mike will forward to interested schools in the C2P2 network. During the fall semester, Mike and Sandy reviewed documents and put together a comprehensive adaptation plan by the spring semester.
On August 20th, 2021, Mike and Sandy discussed what to do in terms of supporting the community. Sandy had three priorities. Her number one priority was the development of a community master plan covering the questions: What if fishermen can’t fish there? Should fishermen relocate and fish elsewhere? Should they be retrained to do something else? Sandy’s second priority was to get a marine biologist to determine what fish species would survive in the divergence project. Her third priority was an option for an alternate habitat development for the current species to survive in.
On August 23rd, 2021, C2P2 spoke with Dr. Stephanie Smallegan from the University of South Alabama (USA) on the development of an alternative habitat. Students conducted research during the fall semester (this will continue through the spring semesters), and visited the community the week before Thanksgiving to gain an on-the-ground assessment and talk with fishermen.
On September 3rd, 2021, C2P2 spoke with Lienne Sethna [designated partner from the Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX)] to request assistance with the project. Lienne was asked to look at the American Geophysical Union’s 60,000+ member list to find a marine biologist to help with the project.
On September 3rd, 2021, C2P2 also spoke with Dr. Monic Barra from University of South Carolina (USC) who agreed to assist the project in any capacity and to work on the community master plan.
On September 5th, 2021, Hurricane Ida impacted the Asian fishing community. Sandy was unable to assess the damage in Buras until September 10th, 2021. Mike and Sandy believe the hurricane will not stop the divergence project, and the project will continue as scheduled.
C2P2 reached to Sandy’s office, and she agreed to meet the week of 17 October 2021 to discuss the continuation of the afore mentioned projects, and to determine if there were other issues needing assistance. The meeting was subsequently cancelled due to the ongoing emergency issues in Plaquemines Parrish, home of the fishing communities.
TEX and C2P2 spoke to Dr. Barra on 20 October 2021 and discussed timelines for the master plan project.
On November 19th, 2021, Dr. Smallegan informed C2P2 and TEX the school formed three to five teams to work on the project. Research began immediately with project work to begin in late January 2022.
On November 30th, 2022, TEX and C2P2 reviewed the list of potential scientists to determine which species would exist after the divergence project occurred. The top four were identified with final selection based on approval by Sandy.
On December 21st, 2021, Mike spoke to Sandy about meeting to review projects; an agreement was made to meet on the 18th of January 2022 in her office to go over requirements and provide information for the community planning project, approve scientist to work on species that will survive the divergence project, and plan a trip to visit Plaquemines Parrish and the Asian and African American fishing communities. Dr. Barra was not be able to participate in person but participated via zoom.
On January 5th,2022, Dr. Barra began the development of the community master plan, in partnership with the CCC. TEX will continue to work on finding scientists to determine if species that survive the divergence can provide a living for the fishing community.