By Cyndi Sellers

At long last the Cameron Fisheries building is in operation. Tommy’s Seafood received its first cargo of crabs on Thursday, May 7, Chalin Delaune reported to the Police Jury last week. On Wednesday, May 13, nine crab fishermen unloaded and the company is also purchasing shrimp from a local freezer boat. “In addition, we are providing the fishermen with much needed supplies such as ice, fuel (from the ILM fuel dock next to us) bait, etc.,” he said. “We will be ready to purchase fresh shrimp when the season opens Wednesday, May 27 and are looking forward to continuing to serve the fishing community of Cameron.”

Cameron Parish Port Director Clair Marceaux said “We are really excited about this. We will have a Grand Opening later on, when we can have dignitaries and a crowd.” She said the chef for the 12,500 square foot Cameron Landing Restaurant now under construction in Cameron has visited with Tommy’s Seafood to see about sourcing its seafood there. The restaurant may also source other food products from Cameron Parish producers. Those interested should contact Marceaux at the Cameron Parish Port office.

“It’s been a long time coming, as you well know,” LSU Extension Agent Kevin Savoie said. “Hopefully it will be a boost to our economy.” He said the fishery building proposal was first presented to the state in 2006, fourteen years ago, as a Hurricane Rita recovery project.

Police Jury President Sonny McGee thanked the Port and Police Jury staff saying, “This has been years in the making. The structure was completed in 2014. There have been so many obstacles it would have been easy to throw your hands up and say we’re done. You persevered and it will hopefully become a shining star for Cameron Parish.