Cameron Parish releases fisheries building back to landowner after years of disuse

The Cameron Parish Police Jury on July 13 approved a motion authorizing the president to execute a lease termination and release for the Cameron Fisheries building, effectively returning control to the landowner.

Jennifer Piquis, a local commercial fisher, told the jury the fisheries building has not been functional since Hurricane Laura and that about three-quarters of local families depend on commercial fishing. “Right now, we have no facility in Cameron. To sell our shrimp, to get ice… we have to go away from here,” she said, describing the economic strain on fishing households.

Jurors reviewed the building’s history, noting limited parish investment in repairs and prior temporary efforts to provide ice and related services. One juror said insurance funds were used to provide ice but that usage dwindled and funds were depleted. Legal and property constraints and the terms of the original grant and lease were discussed; general counsel explained that keeping the building past unresolved lease obligations risked further legal exposure.

After discussion, the jury voted to release the building back to the landowner; the motion passed by voice vote. Jurors said releasing the property avoids protracted litigation and may allow a private party to restore operations or lease the facility for fisheries-related uses in the future.

The jury noted that if operations return under private management that serves fishermen, it could be a future win for the community. For now, the recorded action transfers control and relieves the parish of ongoing maintenance and lease obligations.