Fishermen from Mandeville, Grand Isle, Belle Chase and almost every bayou crisscrossing the state will be gathering in Houma for Third Annual Louisiana Commercial Fishing and Seafood Industry Summit. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Louisiana Sea Grant staff and Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Fishermen from Mandeville, Grand Isle, Belle Chase and almost every bayou crisscrossing the state will be gathering in Houma for Third Annual Louisiana Commercial Fishing and Seafood Industry Summit.
The Summit, held March 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, will include a morning filled with a variety of workshops, followed in the afternoon by a trade show and hands-on demonstrations focusing on safety issues, innovative handling practices, processing equipment, and other innovative fishing gear and techniques.
Part of the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Program, the Summit is sponsored by the Louisiana Sea Grant Program, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Since its establishment in 1968, Louisiana Sea Grant has worked to promote stewardship of the state’s coastal resources through a combination of research, education and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and environmental health of Louisiana’s coastal zone.
The organization, based at Louisiana State University, is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 33 university-based programs in each of the U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico.
Morning workshops for the more than 300 Bayou State fishermen expected to attend will cover topics that include:
- Information on gear and bycatch
- Refrigeration technology
- Insuring against disaster
- Updates on black spot and “Chem-free”
- And professionalism programming for crab fishermen
Texas Sea Grant Marine Fisheries Specialist Gary Graham will deliver the keynote address to the states fishermen. After more than 40 years of extension work, Graham currently focuses primarily on commercial fisheries bycatch issues, an area in which he has had a long and distinguished career.
Texas Sea Grant Marine Fisheries Specialist Gary Graham will deliver the keynote address to the states fisherman. After more than 40 years of extension work, Graham currently focuses primarily on commercial fisheries by catch issues. Photo: Texas Sea Grant
Graham has worked with the Texas shrimp industry on turtle excluder devices (TEDs) which are 97 percent effective in excluding sea turtles from nets. He currently teaches captains and crews proper installation, use and maintenance of the devices.
In 2014, Graham was honored with the Gene Raffield Humanitarian Award from the Southeastern Fisheries Association for his devotion to educating commercial fishermen, demonstration of leadership, and support of fishing communities. He also was a member of a team of Texas Sea Grant agents and specialists who won the 2012 Superior Service Award from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for their efforts in providing training and helping Texas commercial shrimp fishermen qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Other speakers include, Glenn Bourgeois of the Terrebonne District Attorney’s Office, Max Ward and David Ohlmeyer of USI Insurance Services, Julie Anderson Lively of Louisiana Sea Grant, Steve Sessums and Benjy Rayburn of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, as well as other presenters from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Sea Grant, and the LSU Ag Center.
“We are very excited to host the fisheries summit in Houma again this year,” said Sea Grant extension agent Julie Falgout. “This event is one of the premier educational and networking opportunities for Louisiana’s fisheries and seafood industry.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Afternoon hands-on demonstrations include a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue demonstration, as well as demonstrations on refrigeration repair and maintenance, oyster weights and measures, shrimper wing trawl systems and turtle excluder devices compliance.
“We are very excited to host the fisheries summit in Houma again this year,” said Sea Grant extension agent Julie Falgout. “This event is one of the premier educational and networking opportunities for Louisiana’s fisheries and seafood industry.”
Admission is free, but registration is required. The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center is located at 346 Civic Center Blvd in Houma. To register, visit https://fisheriesforwardsummit2015.eventbrite.com.
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