Farmweek Television Show Script
Script from the May 28, 2010 segment
>>> GULF FISHERY FAILURE
>> SPANN - GOOD DAY EVERYONE, I’M LEIGHTON SPANN.....
>> FORD - AND I’M ARTIS FORD, WELCOME TO FARMWEEK.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING FISHING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.
>> SPANN -
ARTIS...
THE U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAID MONDAY IT IS DECLARING A “FISHERY FAILURE” IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.
THE DETERMINATION MAY RESULT IN SOME FEDERAL HELP FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN AND FISHING COMMUNITIES.
>>>> SS IN
COMMERCE SECRETARY GARY LOCKE SAID HE DECLARED THE “FISHERY FAILURE” DUE TO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERIES.
THE AFFECTED AREA INCLUDES LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA AND FLORIDA.
LOCKE SAID THE “FAILURE” DESIGNATION WAS REQUESTED BY LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL AND MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR BASED ON THE LOSS OF ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL FISHERIES AND THE ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.
>>>> CHANGE SS
THE DESIGNATION WILL ENSURE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE READY TO MOBILIZE THE ASSISTANCE THAT FISHERMEN AND FISHING COMMUNITIES NEED.
SO FAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CLOSED ALMOST 20-PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL WATERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.
>>>> CHANGE SS
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED FOR $15-MILLION DOLLARS OF SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.
ANOTHER $5-MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS ALSO BEEN REQUESTED AS WELL AS UNEMPLOYMENT COVERAGE FOR THE DISASTER.
THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IS OFFERING “ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS” TO FISHERMEN AND OTHER AFFECTED BUSINESSES.