The debt ceiling bill includes changes to federal law after an effort by local leaders, which will facilitate coastal restoration without increasing Louisiana’s share of offshore revenues. 

Construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion is set to begin this year to restore wetlands, but the project will have adverse impacts on the region’s fisheries used by fishermen like Jason Pitre, a member of the United Houma Nation.

Despite the difficulties of 2020, fishermen are optimistic about the outlook of 2021 and beyond.

The preparation of filé from the sassafras tree is an old Creole tradition that stems from the Choctaw Indians.