PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Port Arthur shrimpers are facing an uphill battle between cheaper imports and high fuel. Shrimpers say that the upcoming windfarm project along the Texas coast can be dangerous and harm aquatic life.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management say the windfarm project would be an effective means of alternative clean energy, but Port Arthur shrimpers say their industry will suffer.
The Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association say they are facing another factor that could harm their industry.
"Two planned windfarms right now, one is off the coast of Port Arthur, the other is off of Galveston," said PAASA Secretary Tricia Kimball.
While Tricia and Kyle Kimball support clean and renewable energy initiatives, they say the proposed windfarms off our coast will do more harm than good.
"Those are some of the biggest estuary areas," said Tricia. "Nurseries for baby fish, for baby crabs, baby shrimp, oysters, all the marine life that's in the water.
Tricia says the windfarm installation in those areas would cause a massive disruption in the food chain for gulf aquatic life.
"If you get rid of their nursery areas, they have no place for, to lay their babies and to let the babies develop," she said. "They're gonna [going to] have to either move or they just will end up dying off."
The Kimball's are not the only people "on edge" right now. Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association are surveying coastal communities.
They want to hear the concerns of people who fear windfarms could harm their industry.
"We need to educate our local population, this area all through Galveston, let them know this is coming down the pike," said Tricia. "Do whatever we can to maybe stop it, if we can."
The Kimball's fear that the technology could add on to the issues they already face such as high fuel prices and competition with shrimp imports.
The NOAA will send surveys out to coastal areas later this year.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.