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Abstracts
Workgroup: Public Health and Processing
Implementation and Coordination of the Gulf Oyster Industry Program
Principal Investigator(s):
John Supan, Office of Sea Grant Development, Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, jsupan@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu
Funding Period: 1998-2001
In 1997, Louisiana Sea Grant assisted the Gulf Oyster Industry Council (GOIC) in developing a long-range plan to address pressing scientific issues associated with that industry. Industry leaders prevailed on Congress to fund this initiative. The National Sea Grant College Program invited Dr. John Supan to serve as coordinator for the nationally competitive program. Supan's primary responsibility was to provide liaison between industry members, oyster researchers, and the NSGO. Specific activities conducted under this mandate include:
- An initial New Orleans workshop on February 28, 1998 ascertained the state-of-the-science by nationally recognized researchers to develop research priorities affecting the economic viability of the gulf's oyster industry, identified by an Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) with representatives from each gulf state.
- Proposal solicitation (RFPs), peer-review evaluations and technical/scientific panel selections were coordinated and facilitated for FY1998-01.
- Congressional appropriations of $1 million/year over five years have funded 35 research, outreach and coordination projects addressing select priorities.
- A second workshop highlighting project results and to redefine research priorities for the 2001 RFP was held before the IAP at the World Aquaculture Society meeting in Orlando, FL on January 24, 2001.
- The program will continue, with a reauthorization this year through congressional support fostered with oyster industry support through the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, the GOIC, and the National Fisheries Institute.
IMPACTS and/or BENEFITS:
- The GOIP is an exemplary of Sea Grant programming involving industry participation in the identification of research needs, project selection, funding support and the dissemination of program results to stakeholders.
- GOIP-funded research has provided the gulf oyster industry with results addressing coastal restoration conflicts with oyster leasing, post harvest treatment scenarios, survival of hatchery-produced seed, consumer acceptance information, processing and marketing strategies, genetic advancements toward disease resistance and improved forecasting of disease-related mortality, improved coastal wastewater treatment, predation and biofouling control strategies, hydroacoustic applications to oyster leases, and initial advancements in cell line development.
PROJECT PUBLICATIONS:
Supan, J. 2000. The Gulf coast oyster industry program: An initiative to address industry's research needs. J. Shellfish Research, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 397-400.
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