The Waterfronts Florida Partnership Committee has asked the City Commission to give local shrimpers a break from skyrocketing diesel fuel prices when they buy from the Fernandina Harbor Marina. But a critic asks who will pay for such a programme. It on May 13 when the committee voted to recommend that shrimpers who live in Nassau County get their fuel from the city for 2 cents a gallon over the city’s cost after they buy their first 1,000 gallons.
Committee Chairman Lou Goldman told that the members saw the recommendation as something the city could do with its resources to help the flagging shrimping industry. He added that it is difficult to control the economy but we can do something to support the shrimping industry and keep them here. Coleman Langshaw, Fernandina Harbor Marina Director, told that if the proposal were to be put into effect, it would be the marina, not the city, shouldering the cost.
According to Langshaw if the plan were to be implemented without a subsidy from the city, the marina could lose money. He added that the marina don’t get subsidized by taxpayers; it’s borne by consumers. Janie Thomas, executive director Shrimp Producers Association, informed that she’s glad for the committee’s thought, but thinks the city should sell biodiesel fuel, which is much cheaper than diesel, at the marina instead.
The Waterfronts Florida Partnership Committee also recommended the city explore two other initiatives to help the local shrimp industry. One was to allow one or two shrimp boats to tie up at the marina and sell shrimp directly to the public; the other was to buy land adjacent to the marina and add a dock dedicated to shrimpers.
