A constant advocate for Louisiana seafood, Sal Sunseri (right) of P & J Oyster has been announced by Gov. Jindal to represent the Oyster Dealers and Growers Association on the Board. Sunseri was part of the Seafood Board’s “Walk the Hill” team that met with legistlators in Washington, D.C. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
by Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
Governor Jindal’s new appointments to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board members read like the ‘Who’s Who” of the state’s seafood community.
The state’s seafood board develops and directs a wide variety of communications programs aimed at strengthening and revitalizing the Louisiana seafood industry and its brand.
The core purpose is to help strengthen and revitalize the Louisiana seafood industry by identifying threats – both potential and real – and executing strategic plans to address each.
Chef John Folse (right) discuss the New Orleans Saint’s proposal with Craig Borges during a meeting of the last board. Folse is one of two returning members from the previous board. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
The board was created in 1984 to support the vast commercial fisheries industry. Programs included market development, support of the seafood industry trade associations and fisheries agencies, seafood promotions and special events, as well as advertising and public relations.
The board consists of 14 members; 13 appointed by the governor from the Louisiana commercial seafood, crawfish and alligator industry, while the 14th member is appointed by secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
“Serving the Louisiana seafood community is something I am proud to do,” said John Folse, owner of Chef John Folse and Company and one of the two returning board members. “I was honored when the governor gave me a chance to serve on the past board, and feel grateful he is again placing his faith in my abilities to bring value to the board. We have faced many challenges during the past year, but even greater challenges loom in the future.”
“When I last served on the board in 2005, the challenges we faced then were completely different than those facing us now,” said the newly appointed representative of the Louisiana Oyster Dealers & Growers Association Sal Sunseri, vice president of P & J Oyster in New Orleans. “I look forward to being a part of a board that will continue to represent all aspects of the Louisiana fishing communities, as well as promote and marketing our great products.”
The board’s operating revenue comes from license sales to Louisiana commercial fishermen, seafood wholesalers/retailers, as well as state and federal grants.
In November 2010, the governor announced a $30 million grant from BP to help market and promote local seafood in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill that affected national and global perceptions of the brand.
The BP funding ends in October of the current year.
“The new board needs to get quickly up to speed on issues it must address to benefit not just the state, but the whole Gulf seafood community,” said new board member Frank Randol. Photo: Randol’s
“The outgoing board must be commended for their achievements,” said new board member Frank Randol, owner of famed Randol’s Restaurant in Lafayette and president of seafood processor Randol, Inc. “The new board is filled with members that have expertise in all areas of seafood. It is more important than ever for the new board to comes together as one, to form a cohesiveness that will benefit of all the state’s seafood communities.”
He said “the new board needs to get quickly up to speed on issues it must address to benefit not just the state, but the whole Gulf seafood community.”
“I am looking forward to working with the new board,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the board. “The governor has made impressive recommendations. Each candidate brings an area of expertise needed by the board to effectively serve the state’s seafood community.”
Names of board members appointed by the governor must be submitted to the Senate for confirmation – usually in early June. An appointment to the Oyster Task Force seat still remains unfilled.
The post New Seafood Board “Who’s Who” of Louisiana Seafood Community appeared first on Louisiana Seafood News.