Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2005-09-16

Duration: 00:08:10

Subjects: Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Hurricanes | Natural Disasters | Hurricane damage | SEAFOOD INDUSTRY | Fishermen | Oyster fisheries | Food safety | Gerica, Peter | Gerica, Clara | BARISICH, GEORGE | Pearce, Harlon

Contributors:

• Ekings, Robyn Host
• Whinham, Charlie Host
• Whinham, Charlie Producer
• Woods, Virnado Photographer
• Gerica, Peter Interviewee
• Gerica, Clara Interviewee
• Pearce, Harlon Interviewee
• Barisich, George Interviewee

This segment from the September 16, 2005, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Charlie Whinham’s report on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the state’s seafood industry. Whinham tours the devastated home and equipment of commercial fisherman Peter Gerica along Bayou Sauvage in Orleans Parish and talks to Gerica about his experience of riding out the storm in a tree near his home and his plans to resume his business in the coming weeks. Whinham also talks to Gerica’s wife, Clara Gerica, about her harrowing experience of floating on debris during the storm. He then speaks to Harlon Pearce, the owner of Harlon’s Louisiana Seafood, at his warehouse in Kenner about how he was able to begin rebuilding his business two days after Hurricane Katrina, the potential issues with the state’s oyster beds, and the safety of the fin fish population. Lastly, Whinham speaks to George Barisich, a commercial fisherman from St. Bernard Parish and the president of the United Commercial Fishermen’s Association, at his new apartment on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge about his efforts to compile a registry for displaced commercial fishermen. Hosts: Robyn Ekings and Charlie Whinham