Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2006-08-25

Duration: 00:08:03

Subjects: Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Hurricanes | Hurricane recovery | SEAFOOD INDUSTRY | Fishermen | Great American Seafood Cook-Off | Gerica, Clara | Gerica, Peter | BARISICH, GEORGE | Pearce, Harlon

Contributors:

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

This segment from the “Katrina and Rita: A Year of Recovery” special from August 25, 2006, features Charlie Whinham checking in with commercial fishermen Pete Gerica and George Barisich and seafood wholesaler Harlon Pearce a year after Hurricane Katrina. Whinham first met with these men about three weeks after the storm. Whinham visits with Gerica at his home along Bayou Sauvage in Orleans Parish and talks to him about the slow recovery in his area following the storm. He also meets with Gerica’s wife, Clara Gerica, as she sells their seafood at the Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans. Whinham then meets Barisich at his home in Violet in St. Bernard Parish and on board his 50-year-old shrimp boat. He talks to Barisich about his plans to remain in Baton Rouge, his doubts that he will ever return to St. Bernard Parish, his frustration with the lack of federal or state support in restoring infrastructure, and his hopes to remain in the seafood industry. Lastly, Whinham meets with Pearce, the chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board, as he promotes Louisiana seafood at the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans. He also talks to New Orleans Chef Frank Brigsten about the importance of the chefs in the competition showing their support for New Orleans and the recovery efforts.