Dredging accident in Cameron Parish leaves fishermen angry and with questions

CAMERON PARISH, La. (KPLC) - Fishermen say a dredging accident just south of Big Lake buried crab traps, oyster beds, and killed wildlife in the area.

Venture Global says the leak is stopped and under control.

Venture Global representatives say they were dredging on Calcasieu Pass as they prepare for the new CP2 LNG facility, pumping the sediment to a contained area just south of “No-Name Weir.”

On Monday, Aug. 4, a surge of sediment spilled out of the area and into the surrounding estuary and channels.

Venture Global says they are considering several different options for remediation, but fishermen say the damage is already done.

“To fix that back there, I don’t know a fast, short-term fix because that marsh back there is crucial for the fishermen who make a living,” Ryan Jordan, a commercial fisherman in the area, said.

There were conflicting reports from the fishermen and Venture Global about whether or not the levee breached, as well as whether the sediment had made its way into Calcasieu Lake.

Now, Venture Global did say they reported the incident to authorities and are talking with crabbers in the channel to find a solution.

Fishermen say the affected estuary and its weir are vital to the upcoming shrimp season.

Shrimp move from estuaries out into Big Lake via weirs.

With the weir closed to stop the sediment from going into the lake, Jordan says the upcoming shrimp season on Aug. 11 could be affected for fishermen in the immediate area.

“What shrimp are we going to catch because that’s where most of the shrimp leave at,” Jordan said.

Venture Global said the following in a statement:

Cameron Port also released a statement: