U.S. Spending Bills Include Millions for Seafood-Related Initiatives
Washington, D.C., U.S.A was a busy place Thursday, 29 July, as lawmakers in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed large appropriation bills, both of which included seafood-related line-items and initiatives.
In the House, a package of seven spending bills passed by a 219-208 vote. The appropriations package included funding for such agencies as the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration and Department of Interior. Among the projects in the bill is a USD 6 million (EUR 5.1 million) initiative secured by Louisiana U.S. Reps. Garret Graves (R), Steve Scalise (R), and Troy Carter (D) that would redirect dredged sediment to coastal restoration projects in the state instead of having it dumped in the Gulf of Mexico.
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LDWF to Begin Accepting Applications for $12.4 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funds
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will soon begin accepting applications for $12.4 million in financial assistance that will be available to Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for these funds will open at 8 a.m., Monday, August 9.
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Childhood Memories Inspired Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Poster
Childhood memories of visits to Morgan City have become the visual symbol of the 2021 Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
The festival leadership unveiled the event’s 2021 poster Thursday at the Bayou Bash Kickoff event at Hampton Inn & Suites and introduced the artist who created the artwork, LSU senior Genevieve Breckoff.
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Crayfish ‘Crayze’ at McPherson Lake: Invasive Species Make Kansas Debut
Researchers have discovered a new species at McPherson Lake. The rusty crayfish is considered an invasive species. Although they have affected the waters of some of our neighboring states, it’s the first time in history we see them in Kansas.
“Because this is the first population of rusty crayfish in Kansas, we don’t really know exactly what to expect,” said Chris Steffen, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator at Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
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How Frugé Aquafarms Produces Over One Million Pounds of Crawfish Each Year
Host Daniel Geneen learns about growing, harvesting, and eating crawfish from Louisiana farmer Mike Frugé figured out that the two year growing cycle of crawfish synced perfectly with the two year cycle of the rice crop. Now, rice fields are seeded with baby crawfish every other year, creating a new source of food and income for farmers. Host Daniel Geneen visited the farm in Louisiana to see how over a million crawfish are harvested each year.
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Crawfish Boils Land Rookies in Hot Water
As a rule, crawfish from the Frugé family farm never went far in life.
This season, though, more of them are landing everywhere from San Francisco to New York City, including households with no clue how to handle the crustacean—which arrive still kicking—much less how to cook and eat them.
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Here's How Louisiana Oyster Farmers Can Apply For State Grants to Expand New Harvesting Methods
Louisiana oyster farmers can apply for grants designed to expand the use of new harvesting methods.
Louisiana Sea Grant has received $3 million for the program. The money comes from the state Wildlife and Fisheries Department and the Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Protection Program.
For more than a decade, Sea Grant has experimented with growing oysters in floating cages or cages placed on waterbottoms and attached to pylons in a project at Grand Isle. The method allows the cages to be raised and lowered to protect oysters from predators, fouling and the burial effects of disasters like hurricanes.
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An Oysterman’s New Worry: Will State’s Coastal Plan Wash Out His Business?
Sun-kissed lines frame Terry Shelley’s face like high tide stains a fishing dock. Today, those creases seem deepened by anger, but it’s the tone of his voice that gives it away.
Mr. Shelley has spent his entire working life as a commercial fisherman. Before he was a full-time oyster farmer and harvester, he spent the first part of his career harvesting shrimp and reef fish. He’s seen a lot, but not a pileup of challenges like now.
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The United States Crayfish Market to be Driven by Rising Demand for Different Forms of Crayfish in the Forecast Period of 2021-2026
The new report by Expert Market Research titled, ‘United States Crayfish Market Size, Share, Price, Trends, Growth, Report and Forecast 2021-2026’, gives an in-depth analysis of the United States crayfish market, assessing the market based on its segments like type, major production regions, and consumption regions. The report tracks the latest trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market. It also assesses the market dynamics, covering the key demand and price indicators, along with analyzing the market based on the SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces models.
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Apple Snails Continue to Be Problem in Southwest Louisiana
A non-native invasive species continues to be a growing problem in Southwest Louisiana.
Apple snails can overpopulate and steal resources away from native species, consuming large quantities of plant materials and damaging important habitats for native fish and wildlife.
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USDA Expands Aquaculture Disaster Assistance To Include Fish Raised For Food
In response to catastrophic aquaculture losses due to major winter storms that hit states along the U.S. Gulf Coast in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced a policy change that makes food fish and other aquatic species eligible for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). Previously, only farm-raised game and bait fish were eligible for death loss ELAP benefits. Beginning June 1, eligible aquaculture producers can request ELAP assistance for 2021 losses. This policy change is for the 2021 and subsequent program years.
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Higgins Announces USDA Purchase of Gulf Shrimp
Congressman Clay Higgins announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase up to $25 million of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Wild-Caught Shrimp to address food system supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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USDA to Purchase Gulf Shrimp, Graves Initiated Deal in April 2020
U.S. Congressman Garret Graves announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase up to $25 million of Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Wild-Caught Shrimp to address the disruptions in the food system supply chain and food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Wild-Caught Shrimp amount is the second highest out of the 13 products purchased.
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Bill Restricting Access to Waterways Concerns Crawfishermen and Fishermen
Crawfishermen and fishermen are concerned about a bill passing through the legislature that will put restrictions on public waterways.
On Wednesday, the bill was presented in the House Natural Resources Committee and passed 9-3.
“If the voters vote in favor of it, it’s going to change the Louisiana constitution, and what it is going to do is it’s going to allow the state to enter into boundary agreements with riparian land owners to put boundaries in the water. Water we are already supposed to have the right of free use to,” President of the Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association Jody Meche said.
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The New South Franklin Catfish Festival Is Coming to Wisner
The South Franklin Catfish Festival is coming to Wisner this Saturday, May 1, 2021. It will offer the community a variety of options. The festival is new to the community of Wisner.
It originated after the original Franklin Catfish Festival was hit by a severe storm, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and a huge financial loss. Officials eventually called it quits in 2020, after serving the Winnsboro community for more than 30 years.
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