Two free workshops, one each for the shrimp and crab industry, will be held March 24, 2015 at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Building, 411 E. Main Street. These seafood academies will cover topics important to Vermilion Bay shrimpers and crabbers; with a focus on best practices for quality handling, refrigeration technology and safety regulations.
The shrimp industry workshop takes place from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and will include lunch (registration begins at 8:30). Tentative agenda topics include:
- Shrimp Updates – Price and Harvest Statistics, Disease and Antibodies Updates, Source of Shrimp Now
- Safe Harbor Project
- US Coast Guard Vessel Requirements
- Evaluation of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- NOAA Regulation and Updates
- Updates on Current Studies of Black Spot, Chem free, Additives, etc.
- Importance of Shrimp Quality: Air Circulation in the Hull and Ice Technology
- Proper Brining Technique with Smaller Shrimp Sack
- Processor’s Perspective on Shrimp Quality and Pilot Program Announcement
- LDWF Enforcement Talk
- Louisiana Fisheries Forward Program and Other Opportunities
- US Coast Guard Fire Fighting Demonstration
- Ice and Refrigeration Technology Demonstration
Louisiana Sea Grant will also present the latest findings from their black spot/chem-free research.
The crab industry workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.; of particular interest will be the introduction of the recently completed crab fishery management plan by Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries.
Tentative agenda topics include:
- Crab Updates and Statistics
- Crab Professionalism Program and Crab Fishery Management Plan
- Louisiana Fisheries Forward
- Refrigeration and Handling
- Artificial Bait Updates and Field Trials
- S. Coast Guard Regulations
- LDWF Enforcement
Registration is not required. For more information about the program, fishermen should contact Thu Bui at the LSU AgCenter at [email protected], (337) 828-4100 ext. 300, or Mark Shirley, (337) 898-4335.
The events are part of the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Program, which is sponsored by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
