For Jenny Lee, a Vietnamese shrimper whose boat, the Starlight, fishes out of Venice, LA and Mobile, 2019 was a disaster. She attended the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit searching for answers on the availability of programs and assistances for shrimpers, especially for those that are not part of a huge company. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Louisiana Gulf fishermen have overcome natural and manmade setback after setback after setback. The recent Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit at the Ponchartrain Center in Kenner, presented by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter, was subject to one such unforseen setback, Covid-19, also known as the coronavirus.
A trade show at the Pontchartrain Center gave more than 60 vendors from across the state and country a forum to display their wares. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
“With the first case of the virus being reported in the state just two days before the start of the conference, it was inevitable that we were going to see a decreased attendance,” explained Thomas Hymel, the program’s director and a marine extension agent for Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter. “I was not surprised that we did not see the numbers we anticipated, but happy to see all those that did make it to Summit. In addition, last minute travel bands forced cancellation of a number of scheduled speakers.”
A wide variety of sessions were available for the more than 400 attending to listen and learned from industry experts about the challenges and opportunities facing Louisiana seafood going forward. In addition a trade show gave more than 60 vendors from across the state and country a forum to display their wares.
Hot Tickets
One of the hottest tickets was a presentation by Brian Lezina, Division Chief of Planning and Research at the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CRPA). The agency is charged with developing and implementing efforts for coastal restoration, that include using a freshwater diversion from the Mississippi River to rebuild sediments deposits along the coast.
Brian Lezina (r), Division Chief of Planning and Research at the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CRPA) chats with Mitch Jurisich, chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force at the organization’s booth. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
The diversion will adversely affect estuaries home to oysters, crab, shrimp and finfish.
In an interview with Gulf Seafood News before his presentation, he explained, “there is no perfect analog for a controlled sediment diversion like we are building. But we do use other things we see out in nature as analog; like the Wax Lake Outlet, Mardi Gras Pass and even the two freshwater diversions we currently have on the landscape, we look at those to infer those processes.”
According to Lezina the state agency “uses robust computer modeling, physical modeling as well as leaning back toward these natural processes. We can see what the process does, sort of the proof of the pudding.”
Another top ticket at the Summit was a presentation by Harry Blanchet, Biologist Administrator at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
During his report on the state of Louisiana fisheries he touched on the inability of the State to directly reimburse fishermen for last years flooding that resulted in the Bonnet Carre floodgates being open for more than 200 days. The freshwater intruded into estuaries causing large losses for shrimp, oyster and crab fishermen.
According to Blanchet, federal disaster funds allocated to NOAA Fisheries are normally prohibited from being directly distributed to fishermen as cash payments. He said, “Funding would likely be made available for new equipment, repairs and other items related to business expenses.”
Partrick Banks (l), Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant Secretary of Fisheries, and Harry Blanchet, Biologist Administrator, listen during meetings at the Fisheries Forward Summit. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
Jenny Lee, a Vietnamese shrimper whose boat, the Starlight, fishes out of Venice, LA and Mobile, questioned Blanchet about the policy. She was searching for answers on the availability of programs and assistances for shrimpers, especially for those that are not part of a huge company.
“Is the government, or any agency, assisting local shrimper to help offset our losses?” she said. “Our livelihoods are being affected.”
According to Lee, when Blanchet said 2019 was a really bad year, “He hit the nail on the head. We have had to dig into our savings to pay for fuel, ice and deckhands. We didn’t have any income at all last year.”
After Blanchet’s presentation, Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant Secretary of Fisheries’ Patrick Banks, told Gulf Seafood News his department “felt the pain that the State’s fishing community is experiencing. We are already exploring alternative options for fishermen to receive monetary compensation, like hiring fishermen for contracted rehabilitation projects. We know last year was tough for everyone and it is important to have our fishermen in a financial position that allows them to fish.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser continued his two-prong attack on imported seafood, calling once again for more testing. This at a time when all imports continue to shrink due to restrictions from the coronavirus. In addition he floated the possibility of adding crab and other seafood to the current law requiring restaurants to notify customers if shrimp or oysters are not Louisiana landed. Restaurants currently face shortages of both due to the freshwater diversion of floodwaters last year.
Nungesser also saw fit to attack New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell for considering declaring a “state of emergency” over the virus, something affecting both tourism and restaurants. Mayor Cantrell, declared the “state of emergency” two days later, as did the federal government.
Exhibitors Everywhere
The grand hall of the Pontchartrain Center was more than a little fishy. Packed with exhibitors displaying everything from a Coast Guard rescue boat, to a shrimp sizer inspired by Gulf fishermen, to information on oysters, crab and crawfish.
“This was our first year having a booth at the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit,” said Louisiana Oyster Task Force chairman Mitch Jurisich, an oysterman from Empire. “Of course we were a little disappointed about the size of the crowd, but as oystermen we understand the importance of being safe. That is why we produce the finest, best tasting and safest oysters in the world. I think everyone that visited our booth appreciated learning the story we have to tell, that and the oyster stew from Acme Oyster House.”
“Fishing is indeed a dangerous profession, we are here to ensure fishermen have the education and tools to return safely to their families,” said John P. Sherlock, the Coast Gaurd’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program Coordinator. “The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program is an essential part of our continued commitment to the industry.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
Being safe is what the U.S. Coast Guard is all about, and why their booth at the Summit was well attended.
“Fishing is indeed a dangerous profession, we are here to ensure fishermen have the education and tools to return safely to their families,” said John P. Sherlock, the Coast Gaurd’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program Coordinator. “The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program is an essential part of our continued commitment to the industry.”
“Since 1988, the Coast Guard has met with fishermen at their boat to provide a free dockside safety exam that includes life rafts and life saving equipment like emergency location beacons allowing us to know their exact locations when they are in peril.” he explained. “If a boat is in compliance with all current safety standards, a sticker will be issued to expedite a at sea safety boarding. This will save them a lot of time, and allow them to get back to work quicker.”
Sherlock says there are currently three safety inspectors in the State of Louisiana, and 11 along the Gulf Coast.
“The Summit enabled us to collect insight on opportunities and challenges confronting businesses in the industry for our continued research on the LA seafood supply chain,” said Dr. Geoff Stewart, Moody Company/BORSF Chair at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
“The Fisheries Forward Summit is a great opportunity to engage with fishermen and industry stakeholders,” said Dr. Geoff Stewart, Moody Company/BORSF Chair at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration. “The Summit enabled us to collect insight on opportunities and challenges confronting businesses in the industry for our continued research on the LA seafood supply chain. With the help of an incentive from Yeti, we were able to collect close to 275 completed surveys. We want to thank everyone who participated in the survey.”
The final meeting for the day included a panel discussion on the “Graying of the Gulf Fishing Fleet.” Moderators Nicole Lundberg and Earl Melancon, questioned six of the the State’s top industry experts on where they see the future of Gulf seafood and from where is the next generation coming. The audience participated in the discussion by answering questions through he use of real time electronic opinion monitors.
The final meeting for the day included a panel discussion on the “Graying of the Gulf Fishing Fleet.” Moderators Nicole Lundberg and Earl Melancon, questioned six of the the State’s top industry experts on where they see the future of Gulf seafood and from where is the next generation coming. Photo: Ed Lallo/Lallo Photography
“The Fisheries Forward program was developed a number of years ago as a way to help our seafood community to be more sustainable and more resilient. It is an effort to better educate the community on new technology and innovation,” said Assistant Secretary Banks. “This Summit is an important part of the program, a program we are proud to sponsor.”
Over the years Fisheries Forward has transformed from focusing on seafood certification to a provider of reliable and trusted information. “We want to bring the best practices into seafood, we want to take and share not only our ideas, but those of fishermen, processors and others involved in this precious resource. Fisheries Forward is instrumental in getting the seafood story told, helps share latest trends and provides a window into the industry for outsiders. This Summit brings an opportunity for all that to happen in one place.”
After the last light at the Pontchartrain Center turned to dark, an exhausted Thomas Hymel walked slowly toward his car. “Goes to prove Mother Nature always wins,” he said. “With all the planning, long hours, sleepless nights that my team put into this, it would come down to a virus nobody even heard until mid January, to put a damper on our plans. I sincerely hope everyone stays safe out there.”
Great article!