News Release Distributed 02/27/15

HOUMA, La. – Louisiana Fisheries Forward 2015, the third annual summit for Louisiana commercial fishermen and the seafood industry, will be held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma, on March 11.

The event is expected to draw several hundred people in the seafood industry, including fishermen, seafood dealers and processors.

Participants will learn about the latest updates, techniques and programs concerning commercial fishing and seafood production. The full day of workshop talks, live demonstrations and trade show is free and features expert speakers discussing topics that include upcoming Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries programs, gear and bycatch information, how to handle violations, insuring against disaster, crab professionalism program, an update on the black spot shrimp disease and additives research.

Hands-on demonstrations will include refrigeration repairs and maintenance, oyster fishery weights and measures, turtle excluder devices, and the new wing trawling system. The trade show will feature organizations and vendors displaying various products and services for the commercial fishing and seafood industry.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team will conduct a rescue demonstration.

Also, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne will provide an update on work by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

The event is produced by Louisiana Sea Grant, the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. A lunch will be provided by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

Advanced registration, though not required, is encouraged and can be completed by going to the website www.LouisianaFisheries.com. The latest flyer and more information concerning the event can also be found there.

Inquiries concerning more information and questions about the summit should be directed to summit@lsu.edu or by calling LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant fisheries agent Thomas Hymel at 337-276-5527.