Invasive Species Harms Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem and Economy

The delicate ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico generates a living for many commercial fishermen. When invasive species enter our waters they have the potential to damage this delicate balance and kill the populations of marine life on which many fishermen rely for their business.

One such example arose in December of 2011 when commercial shrimpers off the coast of Galveston, Texas, found Black Tiger Shrimp in their nets. This species is native to eastern African waters, the Indo-Pacific region and down to Australia –definitely not the Gulf of Mexico.

Black Tiger Shrimp are typically larger than the local gulf shrimp and much more aggressive. The fear is that if their population continues to grow and food becomes scarce, they will begin killing off the natural gulf shrimp population and harming the shrimp industry there.

Careful monitoring of the local shrimp population as well as the invasive species population is important in controlling the damage done by these non-native creatures. If action is not taken quickly, the invasive species may not only destroy the natural balance in the Gulf of Mexico but also harm the local economy that depends on commercial fishing as a source of income.

When shrimp populations decline, the competition for shrimping opportunities in undamaged areas increases. This can often lead to more offshore accidents and injuries on commercial fishing boats. If you or a loved one is injured while employed as a commercial fisherman you should seek help from a Gulf Coast Jones Act lawyer.

Contact a Gulf Coast Jones Act Lawyer for Maritime Injury Help

The Jones Act Law provides you with certain protections your employer may not want you to know about. A Gulf Coast Jones Act lawyer from The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana, can help you if you have suffered maritime offshore accident injuries while employed as an oil rig worker or transport vessel crew member.

Though we are based in Louisiana, we are ready and able to help injured victims throughout the U.S. Order our free Maritime Injury Law guide and/or our guide to what to do when you are injured offshore to learn all about your rights as an injured worker. 

When you are ready to get started with your Jones Act injury case, we urge you to contact us today for a FREE case evaluation – call 504-680-4100 or toll free at 866-938-6113.