Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden is urging East Baton Rouge residents to support Louisiana’s seafood industry in the face of the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Any time we face adversity, Baton Rouge citizens stand tall,” Holden said. “This time, I hope they will join me in standing with our local suppliers to help them through this difficult time.”

The Mayor said the vast majority of the state’s shrimp and other seafood products are safe from the oil, which is approaching the portion of the Louisiana coast east of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Holden noted that more than three-quarters of the state’s seafood comes from Gulf waters west of the Mississippi River, and is not currently threatened by the oil spill.

“When you go into a restaurant or seafood market, it’s important to ask specifically for Louisiana seafood,” the Mayor said. “Our fishermen and shrimpers are already facing competition from imported seafood, and need our support to maintain their share of the market.”

The Mayor said the men and women employed by Louisiana’s seafood industry need the continued support of Louisiana residents to compete against foreign imports like Asian-raised shellfish.