Public
Fisheries Seminars
Posted:
11/10/03
On Thursday,
December 4, the LSU AgCenter’s Sea Grant Marine Extension
Program, in cooperation with National Fisherman Magazine,
is sponsoring a series of free commercial fishing seminars
at the International WorkBoat Show at the Ernest M. Morial
Convention Center in New Orleans. Sessions begin at 10:30
a.m. to follow the agenda below. Attendance is free.
10:30
am - 12 noon. Can the Shrimp Fishery Survive Honest
Answers.
The commercial shrimp fishery in the southeastern United States
is in extreme financial stress. At prices considered ruinous
by domestic shrimpers, investment capital is still flowing
into the expansion of foreign shrimp farms. The outlook is
for the world supply of shrimp to continue to increase. Can
the U.S. fishery survive and if so how? Hear the views of
experts, including Jerry Fraser, Editor of National Fisherman
Magazine.
1:00
p.m- 2:00 p.m. Selling Seafood to Restaurants and
Small Businesses.
Selling direct and cutting out the middleman is often seen
as a method of increasing profits for the commercial shrimper.
The vast majority of shrimp in the U.S. are consumed in restaurants
and institutions, rather than at home. However, selling in
this market demands some business skills. Learn of the opportunities
and obstacles in selling to small businesses from Ewell Smith,
Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and
Marketing Board.
2:00
p.m. - 3:00 p.m. How Shrimpers can take Advantage
of Tourism.
Tourism is the biggest growth industry in the United States,
and Louisiana and Mississippi tourism growth rates are faster
than the national average. Tourists look for the unusual,
whether in experiences or foods. Commercial fishing and seafood
are exotic to most tourists. Learn how to capitalize on this
from Dave Burrage of the Mississippi Sea Grant Extension Program.
3:00
p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Planning and Operating Fishermen/Farmers
Markets.
Selling seafood directly to the public may be the most attractive
option for many shrimpers. Direct sales operations must be
well-planned or they inevitably fail in a short period of
time. Learn how to market direct to the pubic from expert
Richard McCarthy of the Loyola Economics Institute and the
Crescent City Farmers Markets.
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