# Senator Shelby Makes Right Call Requesting Gulf Fishery Disaster Designation Addressing Oil Spill

*Published:* 2010-05-19
*Author:* Heather Paffe

[![](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2010/05/IMG_0513-300x225.jpg)](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2010/05/IMG_0513.jpg)Fishing businesses across the Gulf, such as these charter boats in Alabama, are facing major economic challenges from the oil spill.Yesterday U.S. Senator Shelby [requested](http://shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=abb1e621-802a-23ad-4ddd-89cd2c1549a5) a Gulf of Mexico fisheries disaster declaration from the Secretary of Commerce in the face of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

EDF fully [supports](http://staging.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?contentID=11066) this action and encourages U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to grant the request.

The Gulf coast economy is closely tied to the well-being of its oceans. The uncontrolled oil spill severely threatens ecosystems and, by extension, the Gulf’s multi-billion dollar fishing and tourism industries.

By granting Senator Shelby’s request, Secretary Locke can help provide much needed federal assistance to affected Gulf fishermen and fishing communities.

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