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New model provides sustainable management tool for Louisiana’s oyster industry

March 19, 2012 | Posted by Delta Dispatches in 2012 Coastal Master Plan, Meetings/Events, Seafood

By Alisha A. Renfro, Ph.D. and Maura Wood, National Wildlife Federation

On March 10, Louisiana Sea Grant hosted their annual Louisiana Oyster Industry Convention in Kenner, La. The convention brings together members of Louisiana’s oyster industry and trade organizations to meet one another and discuss important issues.

This year’s meeting focused on new oyster culture methods as alternatives to traditional wild-seed and on bottom production. Speakers from Maine, Maryland, Virginia and Alabama presented on how their states have adapted and revitalized their oyster industries, including how they handle permit applications, types of equipment used, dealing with disease and predation, and marketing their product. Speakers acknowledged that there is a definite difference in scale between oyster production in Louisiana and other states, but proposed some techniques and lessons that could be applied here.

Trawl full of Gulf Coast oysters.Credit: NOAA NCCOS

Tom Soniat of the University of New Orleans has developed a model that uses the retention of shell as a measure of oyster reef sustainability. Dr. Soniat reasons that if the reef is sustained, nature will take care of the rest. The model output calculates how much shell can be removed by fishing while still maintaining a sustainable reef. This model is dependent on a criterion for how much shell is needed for a sustainable reef and a good estimate of initial shell in the actual reef. Among the efforts to create and certify a high-quality product, using this model as a management tool could also ensure a sustainable product.

Other topics of discussion included product branding and Louisiana’s 2012 Coastal Master Plan. The day finished up with Don Davis, Carl Brasseaux and Chris Senac talking about the history of oyster fishery in Louisiana, particularly Houma. Overall, it was an interesting conference and hopefully there will be more exploration of new techniques to adapt the Louisiana oyster fishery to future conditions.

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Louisiana Seafood Reveals New Look and Marketing Strategy to Boost Brand Post-Oil Spill

November 29, 2011 | Posted by Delta Dispatches in BP Oil Disaster, Meetings/Events, Seafood

By Chris Pulaski, National Wildlife Federation

Louisiana seafood is getting a whole new look. On November 16, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (Louisiana Seafood) held a stakeholder summit in Houma, LA to update the region’s producers, distributors and retailers on the state of Louisiana seafood 18 months after the BP oil spill. Representatives introduced Louisiana Seafood’s new branding and marketing strategy—developed as part of BP’s $30 million payment for the promotion of Gulf seafood—as well as the new safety and monitoring measures they have implemented.

Photo credit © Martin Pernter / istockphoto.com

Randy Pausina with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDW&F) reviewed the data currently being gathered through trip reports and landings as well as the sampling from seafood–mainly shrimp, crabs and oysters. LDW&F’s sampling is funded by a 3-year, $13 million grant from BP which allows for around 329 samples per month. The results of the sampling, as well as other pertinent data, are available on the project’s website: www.gulfsource.org.

Researchers then unveiled results from recent surveys which indicate, among many findings, that the majority of seafood consumers are surprisingly between the ages 18-45, and that most of these “seafoodies” are eating seafood at home. Not surprisingly, shrimp tops the list of volume of Gulf seafood consumed, followed by crabs and oysters. Desire for Gulf seafood ranks slightly behind Alaska, New England and Pacific seafood markets.

Former Louisiana State University basketball coach Dale Brown gave a rousing address, calling for the seafood industry to remain undaunted in its willingness to overcome adversity and to speak with a unified voice. “If you want a helping hand, take a look at the end of your damn arm,” said Coach Brown.

The team of marketing and advertising specialists introduced a new look for Louisiana Seafood, calling for aggressive branding on every box and display cabinet. The strategy involves everyone: from fisherman to distributor to retailer—all the way from trap to table. The new look is clean and will target chefs and restaurateurs across the country, as well as retailers such as Whole Foods.

The event wrapped up with breakout sessions focused on three areas: commercial fisheries; processors, distributors and retailers; and tourism and economic development.