by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink

Almost a month after Ewell Smith resigned as the executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has named the current assistant director Kristin McLaren as interim executive director while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.

The announcement was made yesterday by the office of the Lt. Governor.

McLaren’s diverse career covers both private and public sectors. A graduate of Tulane University with a degree in journalism, she has served on boards and commissions, worked for a state agency and been on the floor of the Louisiana legislature.

Read the full article at GulfSeafoodNews.com.

by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink and Tim Fitzgerald/Environmental Defense Fund,

The red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico has gotten a little less “Red”. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program has removed the Gulf of Mexico red snapper commercial fishery from their ‘Avoid’ or “Red” list.

According to Tim Fitzgerald, senior policy specialist for Oceans Program at the Environmental Defense Fund, “Our partners at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, one of the most well-known sustainable seafood program in the United States, have awarded Gulf Red Snapper the ‘Good Alternative’ rating.

“Hearing this today is the most positive fishery success story I have witnessed in the Gulf in years,” said Jim Goosen, chairman of Sysco Louisiana Seafoods in Houston.

Read the full story at GulfSeafoodNews.com.

Michael Christopher Voisin, 59, died Saturday, February 2, 2013. He was a native of Los Angeles, CA and resident of Houma, LA.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Chauvin Funeral Home, Inc. and from 9:00am to 11:00am at Living Word Church on Hwy 311. Funeral Service will be held on at 11:00am at Living Word Church on Hwy 311. Burial: St. Eloi Catholic Church Cemetery.

He is survived by his, Spouse, Sarah Theriot Voisin, Sons, Kevin Voisin and wife Whitney, Gregory Voisin and wife Jennifer, and Terrance Conrad and wife Brittany, Daughters: Amy Voisin Ascua and husband Marcelo, Sally Voisin Gilfour and husband Jason, and Sandy Voisin Naquin and husband Brett, Brother: Steven Voisin and wife Alicia, Sisters: Saundra Voisin Fitzgerald and husband Bill,and Lorena Helen Voisin, Grandchildren: HunterEve, Michael Ernest, Isabella, Elle, Scottie, Bronson Gregory, Dyami, L. Agustina, Kylar, Sofia, Christopher, Riley Rose, Nathaniel, and Roland.

He was preceded in death by his, Parents: Ernest Voisin and Mary Shanahan Voisin, and Brother: Gregory Voisin.

Michael Voisin was the owner and CEO of Motivatit Seafoods LLC, home of the Gold Band Oyster.

His dedication to Louisiana was evident throughout his career with extensive legislative work for the Gulf Coast and National Seafood Industry.

He lead a dedicated life shown through his service to his family, community, and church, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”.

Mike was a loving, dedicated, loyal, honest, fair, and kind-hearted man. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He never met a stranger and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Mike was known for his Christ-like character.

He was completely in love with his Beautiful Bride, and of all of his achievements his greatest success was at home.

On November 27, 2012, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that they would not be issuing new regulations to require increased use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) by shrimpers trawling in state waters. According to NOAA, recent data indicates that TEDs in shallower waters do not adequately protect small turtles and that the rules need to be reassessed.

This news comes as a great relief to the Friends of the Fishermen Foundation and its board members, many who have spent hours educating policymakers in Washington, D.C. on the realities of sea turtle strandings and the unnecessary nature of increased TEDs regulations. Notably, in July 2011, Harlon Pearce testified before the House Natural Resources Committee and took that opportunity to explain, for the record, how increased TEDs requirements were not the answer to preserving sea turtles. Pearce instead urged adoption of increased industry education programs and better enforcement of the current rules. He also stated that the agency’s data on sea turtle populations in general needed far more examination. Of course, once NOAA heeded these calls for increased scrutiny of the risks and benefits of TEDs in state waters, the industry position was held up. In addition, FoF Board members have taken every opportunity while in Washington and in meetings locally with federal officials to educate them on the realities of TEDs.

While NOAA’s announcement comes as a welcome sigh of relief for the shrimping community, the Friends of the Fishermen Foundation will continue their education efforts in the coming months to ensure NOAA is moving in the right direction in their efforts to protect sea turtles.

We are attempting to raise a minimum of 25k necessary to rebuild Blackie Campo’s Marina. The Campo’s business has been the linchpin to this community for over 107 years; people have rebuilt because the Campos have rebuilt. They provide much more than fuel, ice and bait to sport anglers and commercial fishermen; they are the social hub, point of refuge and guardians of the community.

Join us November 10th to help rebuild this cultural landmark. Kermit Ruffins will host the benefit concert featuring Glen David Andrews, Tommy Malone, The Wild Magnolias plus many more at the Howling Wolf doors open @ 7 pm, pre-show cocktail party in the Den from 6 – 8.

100% of proceeds will go to help rebuild the marina and the community as a whole. All donations are tax-deductible through Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN).