On July 1st oversight will officially transfer from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under the office of Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
The 4th of July came early this year for the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. A heated legislative session to determined the fate of the board set off fireworks throughout the state’s seafood community.
As of July 1st oversight has officially transfer from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under the office of Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne.
During a recent board meeting of the body assigned to promote and market Louisiana seafood to the world, the lieutenant governor outlined his vision of how the board would continue its valuable work. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
During a recent board meeting of the body assigned to promote and market Louisiana seafood to the world, the lieutenant governor outlined his vision of how the board would continue its valuable work under his guidance.
In an opening address to the board, the Lieutenant Governor indicated a new day was dawning on how the board would operate. He tried to lay to rest concerns among some in the seafood industry worried that politicians were trying to fix something that was not broken.
Addressing Issues and Concerns
Dardenne directly addressed issues, accusations and concerns expressed during the spring legislative fireworks. Claiming he never actively sought control of the board, he welcomed them to his office saying that he wanted to make sure “we are smart in the way we handle this transition.”
“My team’s goal is to make this transition go as smoothly as possible,” said Seafood Board executive director Ewell Smith (right). Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“Despite the fact that I have said we didn’t ask for this, we are very excited for the opportunity,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “Collaborative is the way we do thing in our office, and that is the way we are going to do things with this board going forward.”
“My team’s goal is to make this transition go as smoothly as possible, so we can work with the new board on moving forward in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor,” said Seafood Board executive director Ewell Smith. “I am excited about the possibilities of leveraging his department’s horsepower to promote Louisiana Seafood.”
Addressing topics from ethics, budget, legal, to promotion, the Lieutenant Governor explained the board would come under the same scrutiny as every other department under his leadership, including the state’s tourism promotion budget.
Promotion A Natural Fit
“Our office has a lot to do with promoting the state of Louisiana,” he said. “One of the first and foremost things we promote is food, and obviously seafood is one of the great passions we have in this state.”
“It does make sense that a seafood promotion and marketing board rests with the agency in government that is responsible for promoting the state. In that end I think it is a nice fit.”
Before the start of the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor listened as the Board’s Chair, Chef John Folse (r-l), explained the importance of the board to the seafood communities, as board members Sal Sunseri of P&J Oyster and Frank Randol of Randol’s listened. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Seafood Board member Frank Randol, owner of Randol’s restaurant in Lafayette, as well as a crawfish and crab procession plant, agreed with the Lieutenant Governor.
“Serving up Louisiana seafood along with the state’s culturally rich tourism image is a win-win as we continue to build quality brand awareness,” he said. “We are extremely happy to partner with Lt. Governor Dardenne in support of our seafood industry.”
With a majority of his senior staff sitting in the audience, the well-spoken elected official introduced each team member to the board, as well as defined their oversight responsibility.
During his 20-minute address, it became clear he had done his homework, rattling off facts and figures, as well as quoting legislative protocol and procedures. It also became clear he was firmly committed to make the new arrangement work.
He told the board he didn’t intend to make major changes to the way the board operated. However, the board’s office would eventually be moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
Seafood Board’s Budget
The Lieutenant Governor had clearly done his homework, as he prepared for his remarks with members of his senior staff sitting behind. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
The seafood board has a $300,000 annual budget tied to a fee from sales of commercial fishing, seafood wholesaler and other state licenses. It also receives grants and contributions from task forces that represent individual fishing industries.
As a result of the Deepwater Horizon crisis, in November 2010 the Louisiana Seafood Board received $30 million from BP to spend on marketing efforts to promote local seafood and reassure people of its safety.
At the end of the current fiscal year, June 30th, the board has spent or allocated approximately $16 million of that amount. Its current agreement with BP stipulates that the remaining money must be spent by November of this year.
The seafood board is asking BP to extend the agreement until 2015, so it has time to spend the rest of the money on marketing.
“It would be irresponsible, in my opinion, to rush to spend $14 million over the course of the next three months,” explained Dardenne, who’s Tourism Department has already received an extension from the integrated energy company.
“Hands-On” Approach
During his address it became clear the lieutenant governor would be taking a “hands-on” approach with the board, asking it to draw up a strategic plan to be presented to his office, for him to present to BP.
During the meeting it became clear the lieutenant governor would be taking a “hands-on” approach, often asking to be recognized to clarify issues or procedures. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Created in 1984, the governor appointed board had been largely autonomous, under some oversight from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Under the new law, the lieutenant governor has the authority to appoint the members. He said he had no current plans to make replacements to the sitting board.
The lieutenant governor also has the responsibility for setting the salary for the executive director, as well as supervising board operations.
Dardenne told the board he would also ask the legislative auditor’s office to review the board’s finances. He reiterated this was not a reflection on how the board has handled its money in the past, but he wanted to know “what things look like at the moment we take over.”
“There is no question in my mind that this is a marriage that is going to work.” said Dardenne. “It is going to be very successful for the industry, as well as the people of Louisiana.”
Originally published on LouisianaSeafoodNews.com
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