June 2nd, 2007 9:38 AM

May 29, 2007
Reported by Associated Press

Nearly two years after the devastating 2005 storm season, Louisiana's seafood industry still hasn't bounced back completely, leaving a greater share of the business for Alabama.

Statistical analysis from the National Marine Fisheries Service shows that Texas and Alabama have seen a significant increase in seafood catch since Hurricane Katrina destroyed seafood processing houses and thousands of boats in Louisiana.

According to the Mobile Press-Register, Louisiana's seafood landings have shrunk more than 20 percent. Alabama, generally the Gulf's smallest seafood producer, saw a 30 percent increase in landings in 2006 as compared to average landings from 2001 through 2004.

Joey Rodriguez, a Bayou La Batre boat builder and part-owner of the Gulf shrimp trawler Nemesis said it is nearly impossible to find a processing house in Louisiana now that isn't overwhelmed with fish and other seafood.

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