The Winding Glass

A J Fabre home, recovering

We have received word that AJ Fabre, the President of LSA who suffered a heart attack last week, is now home recovering, and his family is hopeful for a full recovery.

Here is a picture of AJ, taken by Frank Aymami for New Orleans City Business, back in 2001 before the tariff fight.

A J Fabre, President of LSA Suffers Heart Attack

I would like to highlight a comment Karen Hopkins made this morning. She reports that "Mr. AJ Fabre, the President of LSA suffered a heart attack last night and is currently hospitalized in the critical care unit. He underwent an angiogram which opened up a stint to alleviate the blockage to his heart."

" The recent rigors of his advocacy for LSA and the conflicts with SSA have contributed to his illness.
Mr. Fabre has fought selflessly and tirelessly for many years to promote and protect our Louisiana shimping industry. He is one of the few people who actually "live and breathe" for his beliefs and to protect our culture and our way of life."

"We ask that everyone offer up prayers and support for Mr. Fabre and his family and friends during this difficult time."

"We here at LSA will continue to fight for what our organization believes in. Our members will unite and become even more active in our cause to aid and support Mr. Fabre's speedy recuperation."

I think all of us in the industry join the LSA in wishing AJ a speedy recovery. Many people in Louisiana have known each other for years, despite being on different sides of some issues. Yet, when a long-time advocate or leader in the seafood industry is stricken, all of us wish him well, and express our sympathies and concern to his family.

I for one want AJ's voice back on the phone, and in the thick of things. I hope he has a successful operation and a quick recovery.

Too Hard on the SSA?

In our comments Friday about our story on the SSA outrage over the fact that they can't make settlements in administrative reviews this year without including the LSA (Louisiana Shrimp Association) we may have been a little harsh. But I think the SSA's conduct in the anti-dumping case is one of the most damaging business actions I have seen in the seafood industry. The outcome, in which they pioneered a new way of using government regs to extort money from overseas companies has hurt U.S. business around the world. It has cost consumers and the seafood industry millions of dollars in added costs, bankrupted some businesses, and hollowed out the infrastructure of shrimp importing. It has enraged the DOC, who some say has vowed not ever to get put in that position again, and it has led to major defeats of the U.S. at the WTO. Unfortunately, it has only brought pennies of relief to the ordinary shrimpers who supported the anti-dumping suit. So I have little sympathy with their complaints about the LSA. Their actions guaranteed people would come out against them. Of the $18 million they collected, I am not aware of any money going to any of the state associations that make up the SSA.

Unfortunately, the SSA's conduct of the shrimp dumping case has also hurt the cause of food safety and inspection of seafood, and has contributed to a wave of short-weight and adulterated shrimp coming into the country.