Shrimp Task Force public meetings in 2023
6 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will meet to discuss and vote on several action items, including funding for travel to Washington, D.C., for hill meetings and the LA Alive event, and a nomination to the Imported Seafood Safety Task Force. Members will also hear an update on the 2019 fisheries disaster funding from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and a presentation on shrimp industry data. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in person with a webinar option.
- Consider funding for Shrimp Task Force travel to Washington, D.C., for hill meetings and LA Alive event
- Nominate a Shrimp Task Force representative to the Imported Seafood Safety Task Force (HCR 134)
- Consider funding for two representatives to attend the NOAA GOM Shrimp Listening Session in Tampa, Sept. 20, 2023
- Update on 2019 fisheries disaster funding from LDWF
- Presentation on shrimp industry data by David Williams
The task force approved funding for board members to travel to Washington, D.C. and Tampa, FL. Members voted to request a disaster declaration from the Governor for the shrimp industry and to seek funding for a rapid shrimp testing program.
- Approved funding for board members to travel to Washington, D.C. for LA Alive event
- Approved $2,750 to purchase 10 tickets for the LA Alive event
- Approved working with David Williams to find funding for a rapid shrimp testing program
- Nominated Acy Cooper as representative on the Imported Seafood Safety Task Force
- Approved funding for Acy Cooper and Jeff Drury to attend NOAA GOM Shrimp Listening Session in Tampa, FL
- Approved writing a letter to the Governor requesting a disaster declaration for the shrimp industry
- Approved August 2, 2023 meeting minutes
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will discuss and consider several funding and regulatory items, including a marketing campaign with WWLTV, a new lobbyist firm, and the shrimp testing program. They will also receive biological recommendations to set the 2023 fall inshore shrimp season opening date and an update on the special bait dealer's permit before its December sunset. Enforcement of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in skimmer nets will be discussed.
- Consider funding for a STF/WWLTV marketing campaign
- Receive update on special bait dealer's permit before December sunset
- Consider biological recommendation to set 2023 fall inshore shrimp season opening date
- Discuss LDWF enforcement of TEDs in skimmers
- Consider funding to hire a new lobbyist firm for the task force
The Task Force approved the LDWF's biological recommendations for the 2023 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season opening dates. Members also voted to hire a new lobbying firm and allow the Special Bait Dealer’s Permit sunset to lapse.
- Approved LDWF's 2023 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season opening dates (Motion carried)
- Approved contract to hire Adams and Reese, LLP as the new lobbying firm (Motion carried)
- Approved letting the Special Bait Dealer’s Permit sunset lapse and return to previous regulations (Motion carried)
- Approved July 5, 2023 meeting minutes (Motion carried)
- Approved August 2, 2023 meeting agenda (Motion carried)
Shrimp Task Force
The Shrimp Task Force will meet to discuss hiring a new lobbyist firm to represent the group. The agenda also includes an update on meetings with the Governor’s Office and consideration of funding for the LDH shrimp testing program.
- Hiring a new lobbyist firm
- Update on meeting with the Governor's Office
- Funding for LDH's Shrimp Testing Program
The Shrimp Task Force approved $50,000 in funding for the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to test imported shrimp. The group also discussed COVID-19 grant eligibility for seafood processors and the potential hiring of a new lobbying firm.
- Approved $50,000 in funding to LDH for testing imported shrimp
- Approved May 3, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved July 5, 2023 meeting agenda as amended
- Withdrew motion to hire Adams and Reese as lobbyist firm pending further funding information
- Adjourned meeting
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will hear a presentation on shrimp trends and consider recommendations for the 2023 spring inshore shrimp season in Zones 1 and 3. They will also receive a presentation on per capita protein consumption including shrimp, a legislative update, and discuss the Louisiana Department of Health's enforcement of restaurant menu seafood labeling. The meeting includes approval of previous minutes, a financial report, and a federal shrimp permit report.
- Presentation on shrimp trends and consideration of recommendations for 2023 spring inshore shrimp season for Zones 1 and 3
- Presentation on per capita protein consumption including shrimp
- Shrimp legislative update
- Discussion of LDH's enforcement efforts of restaurant menu seafood labeling
The Shrimp Task Force recommended a unified season opening date for Zones 1 and 3 to the LDWF Commission. Members also reviewed financial reports and discussed the impact of shrimp imports on the local industry.
- Approved March 22, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved May 3, 2023 agenda as amended
- Approved financial report showing $681,965 fund balance and $225,978 budget balance
- Recommended May 18, 6am season opening for Zones 1 and 3 to the LDWF Commission
Shrimp Task Force
The Shrimp Task Force will review updates on Louisiana State v. Dept. of Commerce et al. regarding TEDs in skimmers. The meeting includes presentations on U.S. shrimp imports and discussions on potential amendments to the Act 372 shrimp labeling bill.
- Update on Louisiana State v. Dept. of Commerce et al. (TEDs in Skimmers)
- Presentation on 2022 imports of U.S. shrimp products
- Discussion of Monterey Bay Shrimp Sustainability Rating
- Consideration of amendments to Act 372, the Shrimp Labeling Bill
- Update on STF lobbyist efforts and future planning
The Shrimp Task Force approved funding for the enforcement of Act 372 and authorized the chairman to submit comments on the National Seafood Strategy Plan. The board also reviewed financial reports and discussed federal lobbying efforts for HR1057.
- Approved January 4, 2023 meeting minutes
- Approved financial report showing $677,042 fund balance and $226,876 budget balance
- Approved funding up to $100,000 (not exceeding 25% of first-year cost) for LDWF enforcement of Act 372 if the bill passes
- Authorized Chairman Acy Cooper to approve comments on the National Seafood Strategy Plan following email review by the Task Force
- Appointed Acy Cooper and Kristen Baumer as points of contact for the National Seafood Strategy Plan
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will meet to receive an update on turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in skimmer trawls and discuss possible amendments to Act 172. Other items include a discussion of the St. Bernard ordinance banning imported shrimp, an update on federal fisheries disaster funding, and a discussion of the LNG project in Cameron Parish. Officer elections and a financial report are also on the agenda.
- Update on TEDs in skimmers
- Possible amendments to Act 172
- St. Bernard ordinance on banning imported shrimp
- Update on federal fisheries disaster funding
- Discussion of LNG project in Cameron Parish
The task force approved a letter of opposition to the Cameron Parish LNG project and authorized funding for travel to Washington, D.C. The board also elected Acy Cooper as chairman and Alan Gibson as vice-chairman.
- Approved letter opposing Cameron Parish LNG project
- Approved funding for travel to Washington, D.C. for room, board, and LA Alive event
- Approved $5,000 for emergency travel for calendar year 2023
- Elected Acy Cooper as chairman
- Elected Alan Gibson as vice-chairman
- Approved November 2, 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved January 4, 2023 meeting agenda
- Approved financial report with fund balance of $693,722 and budget balance of $270,331