LNG Boom Wrecks Coastline Ecosystem and Shrimping Industry

The small town of Cameron, Louisiana, is facing an environmental crisis due to the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant by Venture Global. The $36 billion project has brought in thousands of temporary workers, but it has also disrupted the local fishing industry.

For fishermen like Brian DeBarge and Anthony 'Tad' Theriot, life has become hellish since the LNG boom began. They have seen their income dwindle from six-figure salaries to struggling to afford healthcare and groceries on credit.

The construction of the plant has also led to increased barge traffic in the area, which affects the shrimping industry. Shrimp boats can only get a few hours to haul in a catch before the shrimp disappear back into the mud.

Theriot says that giant barges have made things worse, 'Every hour you lose shrimping, it means a lot.' Eddie LeJuine, a 53-year-old shrimper, explains how barge traffic affects the shrimp's behavior: 'The shrimp like to hang on the contour of the ship channel... but when a barge goes by, it pulls all that water away, and their security is gone.'

The fishermen feel they have been left out of any conversations about the future of the coastline. They argue that they know the estuary better than anyone, 'You have no idea what the moon does to the water... but that's how we work.' Theriot says, 'Do they take advice from shrimpers? No,'