Vitter Fights to Preserve Louisiana Crawfish Industry
Vitter urges federal government to reject efforts to designate red swamp crawfish as “injurious wildlife” species
(Metairie, La.) – U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) today sent a letter to Dan Ashe, Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), urging the agency to reject an outside organization’s efforts to place Louisiana’s most populous crawfish, procambarus clarkii (red swamp crawfish), on the injurious wildlife list. The recommendation, if approved, would shut down the majority of Louisiana’s crawfish industry, which contributes more than $172 million to the state economy each year.
“Anyone who knows anything about Louisiana is familiar with the importance of crawfish in our culture, cuisine, and state economy, which is why the current petition to shut down Louisiana’s crawfish industry is laughable,” said Vitter. “Any consideration to list the red swamp crawfish as an injurious species should immediately cease so as to not deprive Louisiana farmers of their livelihoods, nor rob Louisiana of one of its most famous and celebrated culinary traditions.”
The Center of Invasive Species Prevention (CISP) submitted a petition to FWS in September, requesting the agency consider placing the red swamp crawfish on the injurious wildlife list, which would result in the arrest and prosecution of thousands of Louisiana business owners. In today’s letter, Vitter urges FWS Director Ashe to reject the CISP petition.
