More than 11,000 pounds of Outer Banks shrimp and fish is going to help with storm relief in Louisiana, another area known for seafood and devastating hurricanes.
The North Carolina Fisheries Association coordinated the effort with companies in Wanchese, Grantsboro, Washington, N.C., and Hampton, Va., to gather and ship 11,225 pounds of seafood, including more than 2,000 pounds of shrimp and nearly 9,000 pounds of filleted flounder and other fish, said Jerry Schill, government affairs director for the fisheries organization, in an email.
The seafood shipment was part of a relief effort to help those affected by Hurricane Laura.
“Hurricanes hit the Atlantic and Gulf coasts on a regular basis so we need to have the infrastructure in place and do what we can, just as they would do the same for us,” Sc
hill said.
Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana last month as a Category 4 hurricane, killing dozens of people and causing up $12 billion in damages. Thousands are still without power.
Doug Cross of Pamlico Packing in Grantsboro gathered the seafood. It was temporarily stored by Armistead Perry of Evans Seafood in Washington, N.C. and sent to Louisiana in a truck owned by Ross Butler of Wanchese Fish Co. and True North Seafood, according to a release from the fisheries association. The companies also sent hundreds of pounds of ice for those still without power. Amory Seafood coordinated donations in Virginia.
The truck arrived Sept. 8 at Acadiana Cold Storage in Lafayette, La. The Gulf Seafood Foundation’s Helping Hands project will coordinate deliveries to various locations, the release said.
Jeff Hampton, 252-491-5272, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
