Feature
May
3
Cocodrie Receives Ultimate Fishing Town Nomination
by Terry Trahan Jr.
Cocodrie may soon be able to boast a new, catchy tagline if votes fall the community’s way.
Charter Communications nominated Cocodrie as a candidate for the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town award. The award recognizes communities across the U.S. and Canada that are known for their quality fishing industries. One town in each country will be selected as an Ultimate Fishing Town, a designation that carries a $25,000 donation to that community. The winning towns will also receive a TV feature produced by WFN.
WFN is a 24-hour channel that offers segments of fishing programming on topics ranging from angling tips to boating and tournaments.
Tracy Adams, sales and marketing administrator for Charter, chose to meet with Charter executives about nominating Cocodrie when she learned about the award and how it could benefit the community.
“We got an email from WFN because we carry the station here in Louisiana. They’re always having contests,” Adams said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity. [Cocodrie] is the best fishing town in our area.”
If Cocodrie gets the top honor, the $25,000 will be used to organize a fishing tournament in the town, Adams said. The event would bring anglers to the area and benefit businesses and tourism in the fishing community and throughout Terrebonne Parish.
“It’ll have a big economic impact if we can pull this off,” Adams said.
Voting for the contest is open to the public through May 31. To cast a vote for Cocodrie, visit www.wfnfishingtown.com, type “Cocodrie” into the provided search box, click the vote button, and follow a series of prompts.
“We encourage everyone to cast votes for Cocodrie during the voting process,” said Aimee Pfannenstiel, vice president and general manager of Charter’s Louisiana operations. “Cocodrie is an amazing community that has risen above many challenges it has faced in recent years. WFN’s Ultimate Fighting Town contest is an opportunity to showcase the spirit and resolve of this great community.”
Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet sees the nationwide contest as a way to recognize Cocodrie as a significant part of South Louisiana’s fishing industry and culture.
“The Ultimate Fishing Town contest is a way to pay tribute to Cocodrie as a fishing community,” Claudet said. “It’s been one of the best-kept secrets in Louisiana.”
Cocodrie has been recognized nationally as a top fishing, shrimping and crabbing destination along the Gulf Coast.
The community experienced a setback, however, following the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but has spent the past two years recovering and researching the spill’s impact.
“The charter boat captains were decimated during that period of time,” Claudet said. “It’s starting to pick up.”
These captains are once again taking anglers and tourists out on Cocodrie’s coastal waters to enjoy the sport that keeps the community going. And if the town does become the top vote-getter in the Ultimate Fishing Town contest, the promotion of tourism would only help to get those who make a living there back on their feet.
The town of Roscoe, N.Y., was named the 2011 Ultimate Fishing Town. The 2012 winner will be announced June 6.
