Commercial fishermen, dock owners and processors and others will have the opportunity to learn about important issues facing this industry at the upcoming March Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit.. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Striving to survive years of low prices and a safety scare following the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana fishing industry suffered an estimated $258 million loss this past year due to the historic flooding according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Commercial fishermen, dock owners and processors and others will have the opportunity to learn about important issues facing this industry at the upcoming Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit.
“The world of seafood is rapidly evolving, and changes can be overwhelming if a business hopes to stay up to date,” said Thomas Hymel, Louisiana Fisheries Forward program director. ” Hymel on the docks in Delcambre. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
The free event held at Kenner’s Pontchartrain Center on March 11th, is the State’s premier commercial fishing and seafood event coming at a time when the $2.4 billion industry is seeking guidance on its future.
“The world of seafood is rapidly evolving, and changes can be overwhelming if a business hopes to stay up to date,” said Thomas Hymel, Louisiana Fisheries Forward program director and marine Extension agent with Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter. “The Summit offers fishermen, dealers and processors critical information, the chance to view the latest and greatest tech, as well as networking opportunities.”
Hymel went on to explain, “ As the nation’s second largest seafood supplier, Louisiana provides an incredible array of superior-quality seafood. The 2019 Mississippi River flood is the longest lasting flood on record since 1900. The Bonnet Carré Spillway opened for an unprecedented two times in 2019, for a total of 123 days. The tremendous amount of floodwater entering estuaries this past year affected a wide variety of seafood industries, making it challenging for fishermen and processor alike. The Fisheries Forward Summit will address the important topics for those seeking a path forward.”
Seafood Supply Chain
Highlights of the findings of a comprehensive seafood supply chain study of Louisiana’s coastal parishes will be given during a one hour session by Dr. Geoff Stewart, Moody Company/BORSF Chair at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. The study confirmed what the seafood industry in those parishes, as well as all along the entire Gulf coast, have speculated for years; without a unified voice and aligned economic development at all government levels, Gulf seafood has a hard row to hoe.
Highlights of the findings of the seafood supply chain study of Louisiana’s coastal parishes will be given during a one hour session by Dr. Geoff Stewart, of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Moody College of Business. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
“While the Acadiana seafood industry contributes over $484 million annually to the regional economy, its true impact is not fully appreciated and prioritized,” explained Stewart, “It is important fishermen understand this industry is a significant contributor to the preservation of an indigenous culture and way of life that has literally shaped the image of Acadiana and Louisiana. The industry’s economic and cultural contributions warrant attention and prioritization as a key industry in Louisiana’s future strategic planning. To find a successful path forward, it is important that all seafood stakeholders find a unified voice.”
Other topics currently on the program include:
- ‘Future of the Fleet’ keynote panel: How to overcome the graying of the fleet
- Impacts of fresh water: 2019 flooding
- Recap of new report on private water bottoms: impact on commercial fishermen
- Operational plans for mid-Barataria diversion project
- TEDS in skimmers: details from NOAA’s outreach team
- FDA testing of seafood imports
- Louisiana oysters: the way forward
- Black drum/sheepshead fishery analysis
- Debut of new demo shrimp grader
- Impact of closures on crab fishery
Commercial fishermen work in hazardous conditions, with harsh and even violent weather and long hours. Often alone, the manual labor involved is hard. Safety must be must be priority one. Workshops will run throughout the dayfeaturing hands-on demonstrations on safety, as well as innovative handling and processing equipment, gear and techniques.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with crews of a Coast Guard helicopter. Photo: U.S. Coast Gaurd/Petty Officer 3rd Calls Ross Rud
Participants will have the opportunity to talk with U.S. Coast Guard officials, as well as interact with crews of a helicopter and rescue boat.
“Safety requirements and concerns should always be of utmost important to our fishermen,” said John Sherlock, a Coast Guard Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Coordinator with more than 25-years of experience in the Gulf of Mexico. “Educational services and safety inspections are always free to fishermen. Our vessel safety inspections educate fishermen on the required equipment and paperwork needed to achieve a safety decal, helping to save time during offshore boarding. We want our fishermen to be safe out there, so our examiners along the Gulf Coast are immediately available to answer any question.”
Beyond the Boat
“This is a summit that’s designed for fishermen,” said LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant instructor Pam Hodson. “We have everything for the industry represented here, from machinery to get their equipment tuned up and ready to go to GPS and the basics of micro-processing and packaging.”
“Consumers are willing to pay more for high quality seafood, while buyers look for suppliers they can trust,” said Dr. Evelyn Watts, LSU AgCenter/Sea Grant seafood specialist. Photo: LSU Sea Grant
The “Beyond the Boat” series will address four topics designed to improve the fishing communities economic impact by enhancing the marketability of the harvester.
- Nutritional labeling requirements
- Chilling and freezing—tools to enhance seafood shelf life
- Shipping and transportation
- Frozen seafood marketing opportunities
“Consumers are willing to pay more for high quality seafood, while buyers look for suppliers they can trust,” said Dr. Evelyn Watts, LSU AgCenter/Sea Grant seafood specialist. “Fishermen have to become more educated on both the needs of buyers and consumers if they are to move to the next economic level.“
According to Dr. Watts, crawfish processors were able to extend both fresh and frozen shelf life of peeled product by adding a chilling step after the crawfish were cooked and before peeling. “Chilling seafood gives a considerable longer shelf life,” she explained. “The seafood industry has to do a better job of educating consumers to address the misconception about frozen foods are not fresh, instead just the opposite. Consumers need to look for fresh frozen products.”
Packaging and chilling equipment that add value to a fisherman’s catch will be on display during the event; a band saw and meat grinder that can be use for garfish, as well as a Prawnto that splits and deveins shrimp.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and enforcement agents will be available to answer questions. A $2500 fuel card will be award as the top door prize, along with four $550 gift certificates from Alario Brothers and one $500 gift certificate from Fishermen’s Net and Supply Company.
According to Dr. Watts, crawfish processors were able to extend both fresh and frozen shelf life of peeled product by adding a chilling step after the crawfish were cooked and before peeling. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
“We are very proud to be a part of the Fisheries Forward Summit,” said Eva Alario Ruttley at Alario Brothers. “It is important for businesses like ours, as well as Fishermen’s Net and Supply Company and others, to become a part of this program offering a venue for the Louisiana seafood industry to be better prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Produced by Louisiana Sea Grant, LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – with their industry partners, the biennial event brings together those involved in the seafood industry to share ideas and receive the latest research-based information. It is part of the Louisiana Fisheries Forward (LFF) education initiative.
The Fisheries Forward Summit has evolved into an important venue where our seafood community has the opportunity to examine the latest technology from local vendors, analyze important issues and share the camaraderie of the fishing community, “said Patrick Banks, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant Secretary. “We have been more than honored to partner with Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter over the years to sponsor this event.”
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