Shrimp Task Force public meetings in 2024
6 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will hear updates on shrimp testing, the International Trade Commission's proceedings, and an equipment grant program. They will consider writing a letter of support for a grant proposal to enhance Louisiana shrimp market demand, re-appropriating funding for shrimp testing, and funding billboard advertisements. The meeting also includes officer elections and discussion of 2025 Washington D.C. meetings.
- Consider writing a letter of support for a grant proposal, 'Enhancing Louisiana Shrimp Market Demand: A Sustainable Approach to Premium Quality with Natural Solutions'
- Discuss and consider re-appropriating STF funding for shrimp testing to the Department of Ag and Forestry
- Hear an update on the International Trade Commission's proceedings and next steps
- Discuss and consider funding for billboard advertisements in conjunction with the Department of Ag and Forestry
- Officer elections
The task force approved moving $50,000 for shrimp testing from the LA Department of Health to the LA Department of Ag and Forestry. Members also elected new officers and appointed representatives to oversee a consulting contract. A proposal to allow selling live bait shrimp from boats was discussed but not decided.
- Approved re-appropriating $50,000 for shrimp testing to the LA Department of Ag and Forestry
- Appointed Andrew Blanchard and Rodney Olander as representatives to approve SeaD Consulting invoices and press releases
- Elected Rodney Olander as STF chairman
- Elected Andrew Blanchard as STF vice-chair
- Approved October 9, 2024 meeting minutes
- Accepted Financial Report showing $618,866 fund balance and $143,498 budget balance
- Tabled letter of support for 'Enhancing Louisiana Shrimp Market Demand' grant proposal
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will meet to discuss the Protect American Fisheries Act and the Save Our Shrimpers Act. The body will also consider funding for shrimp testing and a trip to Washington, D.C.
- Discussion of Protect American Fisheries Act
- Discussion of Save Our Shrimpers Act
- Re-appropriating STF funding for shrimp testing
- Funding for shrimp testing presented by David Williams of Seed Consulting
- Funding for a STF trip to Washington, D.C.
The Task Force approved a contract with SeaD Consulting to conduct monthly shrimp testing at 24 restaurants to combat seafood fraud. The board also approved funding for travel to Washington, D.C. for the International Trade Commission hearing and the Louisiana Alive event.
- Approved up to $71,040 for a 4-month shrimp testing contract with SeaD Consulting
- Approved funding for travel to Washington, D.C. and up to 10 tickets to the Louisiana Alive event
- Approved funding for board members to attend the International Trade Commission Hearing on October 22 (Opposed: Kristen Baumer)
- Approved July 31, 2024 meeting minutes
- Approved financial report showing a fund balance of $687,843 and budget balance of $220,331
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will discuss new seafood safety laws, consider a biological recommendation for the 2024 fall inshore shrimp season opening date, and hear an update on the equipment modernization grant program. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and the agenda, a financial report, and setting the next meeting date.
- Review and consider biological recommendation to set opening date for 2024 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season
- Discuss application and enforcement of new seafood safety laws
- Hear update on Equipment Modernization Grant Program
- Approval of July 10, 2024 meeting minutes
- Financial report
The Shrimp Task Force approved the LDWF recommendations for the fall inshore shrimp season based on biological data. The body also nominated a representative for the Seafood Safety Task Force and approved the July financial report.
- Approved July 10, 2024 meeting minutes
- Approved July 31, 2024 meeting agenda
- Approved financial report showing $685,808 fund balance and $146,564 budget balance
- Nominated Andrew Blanchard as representative and Alan Gibson as alternate to the Seafood Safety Task Force
- Approved LDWF recommendations for the fall inshore shrimp season based on biological data
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will meet to hear updates on federal shrimp permits and the Equipment Modernization Grant Program, discuss a possible re-opening of the white shrimp season, and designate a representative for upcoming BOEM offshore wind development meetings. The meeting also includes discussion of LDH nutritional labeling regulations and scheduling of future training.
- Discuss possible re-opening of white shrimp season
- Hear update on Equipment Modernization Grant Program
- Designate representative for BOEM Offshore Wind Development Meetings
- Discuss LDH Nutritional Labeling Regulations
- Request photos be included in future shrimp reports
The task force approved a motion for David Williams of Seed Consulting to present rapid genetic testing to Mike Strain. Members also designated a group to meet with state agencies regarding the enforcement of new legislation. The body deferred discussion on nutritional labeling regulations.
- Approved May 1, 2024 meeting minutes
- Accepted financial report showing $676,273 fund balance and $147,161 budget balance
- Approved David Williams to present rapid genetic testing to Mike Strain
- Designated Kristen Baumer, Acy Cooper, and Andrew Blanchard to meet with agencies on legislation enforcement
- Deferred LDH nutritional labeling regulations discussion to a future meeting
- Agreed to include photos in future LDWF shrimp reports
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will meet to discuss and consider the 2024 inshore spring shrimp season recommendation based on shrimp data trends. Other agenda items include updates on federal fisheries disaster funding, a legislative update, and a proposal to fund a documentary about the BP oil spill's impact on the industry.
- Hear and consider shrimp data trends and the 2024 inshore spring shrimp season recommendation
- Update on the 2019 Fisheries Disaster Funding from LDWF
- Presentation on a NOAA Restoration Project for Narrow Spacing TEDs
- Consider funding for continued work on a documentary depicting the industry during the BP oil spill and aftermath
- Shrimp legislative update
The task force approved a statewide opening for the 2024 inshore shrimp season on May 16. Members also voted to request a ban on Indian shrimp imports and support a documentary regarding the BP oil spill. A financial report showing a remaining fund balance of $676,273 was approved.
- Approved statewide opening for 2024 inshore shrimp season on May 16
- Approved motion to write letter to Governor requesting ban on Indian shrimp imports
- Approved motion to write letter of support for BP oil spill aftermath documentary
- Approved financial report (Fund Balance: $676,273; Budget Balance: $147,161)
- Approved March 6, 2024 meeting minutes
- Set next meeting for July 10, 2024, in Houma, LA
Shrimp Task Force
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force will discuss legal actions regarding a Department of Commerce rule requiring turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in skimmer trawls. Other items include updates on the Restore Louisiana small business loan program, 2019 fisheries disaster funding, and a new monitoring system for shrimp effort data. The board will also consider a proposal for rapid genetic testing of shrimp and hold officer elections.
- Discuss legal actions on Department of Commerce rule requiring TEDs in skimmer trawls
- Update on Restore Louisiana Small Business Loan Program by South Central Planning and Development Commission
- Update on 2019 Fisheries Disaster Funding by LDWF
- Discuss early adoption of a new monitoring system to modernize shrimp effort data collection by LGL
- Consider proposal and funding for shrimp rapid genetic testing
The task force elected new leadership and approved the August 30, 2023 meeting minutes. Members received presentations on small business loans, future shrimp projects, and 2019 fisheries disaster funding. The board also discussed shrimp imports and a recent trip to Washington, D.C.
- Approved August 30, 2023 meeting minutes
- Appointed Andrew Blanchard as Shrimp Task Force chairman
- Appointed Rodney Olander as vice-chairman of the Shrimp Task Force
- Approved agenda as amended to include NOAA presentation