Non-Profit Org. Sea Grant Welcomes New Employees U.S. Postage C O A S T A L C L I P S P A I D Coastal Clips is a Sea Grant will enjoy working with them, as well.” omnibus proposal, maintaining project Permit No. 733 quarterly publication of No. Fall Baton Rouge, LA the Louisiana Sea Grant 2008 has two new faces in its Robertson is responsible for files and the program’s databases, College Program. administration offices. the program’s day-to-day responding to inquiries Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Katie Lea is assistant to the business operations and from researchers and Sea Grant Building • Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7507 executive director, and Kelly supervising the accounting the public, and planning Robertson is the program’s office. She comes to Sea special events such as From the River to the Sea and Back Again business manager. Grant from the LSU Office the Presidents’ Forum “Katie and Kelly bring of Research and Economic on Meeting Coastal during daylight hours, but these are questions strong skill sets to Sea Development, where she was Challenges. Prior to they hope to answer. Grant and will aid in the a grant/contract specialist. joining Sea Grant, she was “The next step we’re taking in 11our research program’s evolution,” said She earned a master of arts manager and interim grant Sara Conner, is to determine the duration of their nocturnal LSG Executive Director Kelly Robertson degree in education and a manager for LSU’s Center Jodi Caskey swimming, top swimming speeds and how (another of Charles Wilson. “In the short time they have master of public of administration for Computation and Bauer’s far and fast juvenile M. ohione can migrate been here, each has tackled some significant degree, both from LSU. Katie Lea Technology. She earned a students), upstream,” said Bauer. Using video, motion Ray Bauer, analysis software and expertise provided by projects. They’re a pleasure to work with, and Lea’s responsibilities include bachelor of arts degree in business from Nick Rome and I’m sure our researchers and constituents preparation of Sea Grant’s two-year Michigan State University. • Tyler Oliver ULL collaborator Brad Moon, the researchers have clocked the juvenile shrimp swimming anywhere from .5 mph to about 1 mph. Lindstedt joins GOMA Rod Emmer, Ph.D Swimming speed appears to depend on the water’s speed, and the researchers haven’t yet Dianne Lindstedt has been selected to serve as a Louisiana representative on the On Aug. 3, 2008, he longest journey starts with a close to salt water as they can before releasing determined the shrimp’s maximum speed. Environmental Education Priority Issue Team of The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA). Dr. Rodney Edwin single step. And if you’re a three- them. Sampling by the Louisiana Department Stable isotope analysis of juvenile shrimp Lindstedt is Louisiana Sea Grant’s education coordinator, a post she has held Emmer, Louisiana T inch-long river shrimp, there are of Wildlife and Fisheries in the Atchafalaya Delta conducted in collaboration with LSU researcher since September 2003. Sea Grant research many steps and swim strokes before you reach Wildlife Management Area (ADWMA) has been Brian Fry will help test the hypothesis that GOMA is a partnership among Alabama, , professor, passed the sea to reproduce. critical to the research effort. coastal estuaries are the starting point of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that collaborates away, the victim of River shrimp ( ohione) were In lab experiments, Bauer’s team found that juvenile upriver migration. at the local, state and federal levels to enhance multiple myeloma, a common throughout the central United States in M. ohione larvae need to be exposed to saline At such slow speeds, how could the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of type of blood cancer. the early 20th century with a range extending up waters in their first five days of life in order to M. ohione have migrated from the Gulf of Mexico. It was initiated in 2004 with the objective of A memorial where the and its tributaries from the molt and have the highest chance of survival. Mexico up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers addressing Gulf issues and management on a more friends and coworkers Gulf of Mexico north to central and far M. ohione larvae simply don’t molt in fresh water. to their former habitats in central Missouri holistic, regional scale rather than state by state. have shared their up the . Today, they are abundant only The researchers also discovered the shrimp had and up the Ohio River? And once upriver, C O A S T A L C L I P S in the Atchafalaya and lower Mississippi rivers Environmental education is one of the group’s six remembrances of No. Fall higher molting success and were better able to juvenile shrimp have to mature and mate priority areas, which also include water quality for Rod is online at 2008 in Louisiana. fight off fungal infections in higher salinity water. before females travel back to the Gulf to healthy beaches and shellfish beds, wetland and www.laseagrant.org/ Rod Emmer Served in restaurants through the early When the team sampled the Atchafalaya hatch embryos. At best, M. ohione has a life coastal conservation and restoration, identification Dianne Lindstedt memory.htm. • Jan.1, 1944 – August 3, 2008 Publications from Louisiana Sea Grant 1970s, M. ohione is still important to Louisiana’s River, they discovered females with more expectancy of two years and the round trip can and characterization of Gulf habitats, reducing bait fishery and as prey for many freshwater developed embryos be thousands of miles. nutrient inputs to coastal ecosystems, and coastal community resiliency. Louisiana Coastal Hazard Mitigation Functions and Values of Wetlands in Louisiana fishes. Understanding the species’ migration closer to the Atchafalaya One hypothesis is that “ GOMA is a good opportunity for Sea Grant to increase its collaboration in marine education issues,” Lindstedt said. “Its primary goal is to Louisiana Guidebook This free, 16-page booklet discusses the role from fresh water to coastal bays and back Delta and those with brine springs and surface increase awareness of the importance of Gulf of Mexico resources. I’m looking forward to working with this great group of people who are focused on Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Development strategies outlined in the of wetlands in providing wildlife habitat, again is critical to maintaining the shrimp’s less developed embryos salt deposits along the educating and engaging our citizens and our youth in Gulf issues.” • Louisiana State University guidebook will reduce the risks from buffering storms, controlling erosion11 and ecological, as well as commercial, importance. upriver. The team upper Ohio and Mississippi Sea Grant Building coastal natural hazards such as storm M. ohione grows to about four inches in length, also discovered an rivers provided saline larval On the Web: LSG’s Louisiana Marine Education Resources, http://www.lamer.lsu.edu/ Gulf of Mexico Alliance, http://www.ulfofmexicoalliance.org/ Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7507 mitigating floods. It also describes the surge, other flooding, subsidence and sea in contrast to its much larger freshwater cousin abundance of larvae nurseries. Another is that Charles A. Wilson, commercial, recreational and cultural values Executive Director level rise. Techniques discussed in the of wetlands, as well as conservation efforts. the Malaysian prawn (M. rosenbergii), more moving down-stream, the shrimp upstream have Presidents’ Forum Draws Regional Insurance Officials Editors: Roy Kron, Paula Ouder. Art: Robert Ray. guidebook can be implemented by local Functions and Values of Wetlands in Louisiana commonly found in seafood markets. about three drifting days a different development Circulation: Jessica Schexnayder. governments as well as individuals. Copies nicely compliments the Marsh Mission “Brackish water is crucial to river shrimp from the ADWMA and process. Insurance officials from across the region, “The bottom line is this – insurance The day’s programming included of the guidebook are free. However, there Classroom CD. larvae’s first molt and initial survival,” said Ray Atchafalaya Bay, giving What is certain is the as well as state and local policy makers, gathered affordability and availability and the sustainability presentations on the variety of flood insurance The Louisiana Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Sea Grant College Program maintained by the National is a $5 postage charge. Bauer, professor of biology at the University of them a good chance of Incubating river shrimp larvae shrimp’s range has to discuss potential solutions to the growing of our coast are key to the long-term recovery options available to businesses and individuals, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Sea Grant, a unique partnership with public Louisiana at Lafayette. “So our first question reaching brackish waters diminished significantly and future growth of our region,” added Mis- background on the federal flood insurance and private sectors, combining research, education and A Fisherman’s Guide to Common Coastal insurance crisis looming over coastal communi- Marsh Mission Classroom CD was: Do the females release embryos into the and molting. during the past 80 years, most likely due to ties during the Fourth Presidents’ Forum on Meet- sissippi Insurance Department Commissioner program, private insurance, reinsurance and a technology transfer for public service, is the national network Fishes of Louisiana of universities meeting changing environmental and economic Explore Louisiana’s coastal marshlands river soon after mating and let the current carry After larval development and then water-control structures like dams and wing ing Coastal Challenges. Mike Chaney, who was one of several out-of-state variety of ways state and local governments can needs of people in our coastal, ocean and Great Lakes regions. This illustrated guide to popular species of with naturalist and photographer CC them to coastal waters, or do the females carry settlement to their juvenile benthic stage in the dikes, and possibly water quality. Reestablishing “The Forum brings a regional focus to one of insurance officials attending. Other departments address hazard mitigation. Those unable to attend © Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. Articles within this marine fish sought by recreational fishermen publication or quotations from them may be used or reproduced Lockwood and acclaimed landscape their embryos to the sea?” saline waters, the small shrimp then begin their river shrimp upstream, as well as maintaining the most critical issues facing Louisiana and many of insurance represented at the Forum included the Forum can find copies of the day’s for educational purposes with a formal credit to the Louisiana Sea is printed on water-resistant paper, so it is Grant College Program. This publication or portions of it may not painter Rhea Gary and learn why Either way, the journey could be hundreds migration upstream. Using photography and healthy populations in Louisiana, could have other states along the coast – the availability and Florida, West Virginia, Alabama and Puerto Rico. presentations, as well as a video of the meeting, boat-safe. The book includes color photos and be used, printed or electronically transmitted for other Louisiana’s wetland crisis affects all of of river miles. With Louisiana Sea Grant funding, infrared videography, Bauer’s team discovered positive implications for river fish that feed on affordability of property insurance. It’s no secret The conference also featured three at www.laseagrant.org/forum/june08.htm. purposes without authorization from the Office of Communica- descriptions of each fish. Cost: $18, plus tions, Louisiana Sea Grant. Please send a copy of all materials in the United States. Along with their presen- Bauer, Lafayette naturalist Jim Delahoussaye, that juvenile river shrimp swim upriver only at the , the commercial freshwater that the 2005 hurricane season had a dramatic members of the Louisiana congressional Other co-hosts of the Forum were which this publication or any portion of it is reproduced to the $2 postage. Office of Communications, Louisiana Sea Grant. tations, this free computer CD contains and ULL students Sara Conner, Tyler Oliver and night. They also keep near the river bank and fishery and the bait fish industry. impact on our insurance markets and caused rates delegation – Rep. William Jefferson (D-New Louisiana Sea Grant, the LSU AgCenter and The Rise and Disappearance of Southeast Nick Rome began searching for answers. What swim near or just below the water surface. For more information on Bauer’s research, across the coastal region to rise,” said Louisiana Orleans), Rep. Charles Melancon (D-Napoleon- America’s Wetland. • Please send change of address, subscription request and corres- For information on any of these publications, pondence to Coastal Clips, Louisiana Sea Grant Communications Louisiana by Dan Swenson, coastal they found from work in the lab and the field is Researchers aren’t sure if the shrimp crawl along visit www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~rtb6933/. He can Department of Insurance Commissioner Jim ville) and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). Office, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. (225) contact Jessica Schexnayder at (225) 578-6448 578-6564. Coastal Clips is published four times a year. Subscriptions stewardship messages from Peyton and Eli that female river shrimp carry their embryos as the water bottom or if they become dormant be reached at [email protected]. • Donelon, who co-hosted the Forum. are free on request. Visit us online at www.laseagrant.org. or [email protected]. Manning, and other educational resources. Wetland Express Rolls Capturing Fisheries,Pirates and the Past Marine Debris Project and Web Site Expanded The Audubon Nature Institute’s latest resource – our wetlands,” said The Louisiana Marine Fisheries Museum in the town of Jean histories and exhibits, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric The updated site still reports results hazard information is accessible to the state’s feature doesn’t star Tom Hanks, but the Brenda Walkenhorst, director Lafitte in Jefferson Parish will have a new home next year. the largest of which is Administration (NOAA) has enhanced its of NOAA’s ongoing work, but has been Vietnamese fishermen. She is working through Wetland Express does boast an interesting of education and volunteers Currently housed in an old wooden school building, the an old fishing boat. Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project Web site expanded to include information on inshore language barriers and reaching constituents who cast of characters. for the Audubon Zoo. museum will occupy about 1,200 square feet of a large, $4.6 million, “We have accu- (http://gulfofmexico.marinedebris. may not have computers or may not Snakes, turtles, insects, frogs and birds “By engaging students multipurpose facility under construction at the end of City Park mulated an incredible noaa.gov/). The changes in the site regularly use the Internet. Help for that live in Louisiana’s wetlands are loaded and the public, and fostering an Drive. Located across from town hall, the new complex will include collection of both reflect changes in the program and these fishermen, as well as anyone into the van six days a week to visit schools, awareness of and concern for wetland activities that involve live wetland a 70-seat “wetlands theater” and a one-mile swamp board walk recreational and emphasize NOAA’s collaboration else without Web access, is only a churches, daycare centers, camps, retirement preservation, the Wetland Express can make creatures, plants, pelts and bones. “No and nature trail. commercial fishing with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) phone call away, as Sea Grant will centers and more. “The Wetland Express a direct impact on the future of coastal were hurt for the exhibit,” noted According to long-time Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner, the original gear,” Schexnayder and the State of Louisiana’s inshore provide debris maps and coordinates offers valuable environmental education Louisiana,” Walkenhorst added. “Those Olson. “The bones and furs came from museum was started by the Jefferson Parish Fisheries Advisory said. “We’ve got debris program coordinated by the by mail upon request. about southern Louisiana’s most important reached by our efforts are encouraged to animals that were done with their bodies.” Board in the early 1990s and opened in 2003. Though undamaged some really unique Louisiana Department of “Since 2006, nearly 50,000 work collectively and individually The message shared through the by Katrina and Rita, the museum has struggled since the 2005 cypress vessels, Natural Resources and the people have visited the project Web toward solutions to wetland loss and Wetland Express is clear and concise: storm season because the town itself was severely affected. That’s some of the first Art Cormier (above), one of the first scuba divers in Louisiana, Governor’s Office of Homeland site,” said Paula Ouder, editor with to prevent future destruction.” The Wetlands not only benefit the creatures that when the decision was made to affiliate the museum with the new handcrafted scuba was an ardent supporter of the fisheries museum. Marine Security and Emergency the LSG Communications office

Express is partially funded by live in them, they also benefit people. They community complex and to shift its management to the Louisiana gear made from Extension agent Mark Schexnayder said, “Art passed away last who is coordinating the Louisiana year but left tons of artifacts as well as a lot of his heart and soul Preparedness. Louisiana Sea Grant. contribute to the economy by producing Secretary of State’s Office. fire extinguishers with the museum.” Included in the museum’s collections (below, The project was begun in 2006 outreach campaign. “It’s wonderful Each Wetland Express visit is natural resources and goods. They are a place “Our museum educates people on how the commercial fishing and a good photo- left) are model boats, real boats and several types of fishing gear. to advance economic recovery in that we now have a clearinghouse of geared toward the age of the for recreation. They aid in water quality industry operates, how it operated in the past and how recreational graphic archive we Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana marine debris information not only audience, and programs run from management, erosion control and flood fisherman catch fish and enjoy themselves,” Kerner explained. are looking forward to making public.” following Hurricane Katrina. for NOAA’s offshore mission, but for 35 to 50 minutes. “The shorter control. And wetlands buffer coastal Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter Marine Extension Cliff Deal, museums coordinator with the Louisiana Secretary The initial goal was to reopen the A sunken boat is seen from the deck of Resolve Marine Group’s retrieval barge (above). the state and Coast Guard programs Armed with cranes and other heavy equipment, Resolve’s workers are among the programs are for younger children communities against storm surge. agents were among the many groups and individuals who had a of State’s office, said famed pirate hero Jean Lafitte will be a central hard-hit commercial Gulf fisheries contractors busy clearing Louisiana waterways (below right). working to clean up inshore waters.” who have shorter attention spans,” Teachers and groups interested in an hand in making the first museum a reality. Jerald Horst helped local character at the new museum. Other areas of interest are boatbuilding, in these states. Fishing boats NOAA’s offshore survey work is said Erica Olson, Wetland Express appointment with the Wetlands Express can shrimpers and community activists get the idea off the ground. especially the area’s signature vessel – the Lafitte skiff. Exhibits that survived the storm could not operate in debris surveys and removal efforts conducted expected to continue through the end of 2008. coordinator. visit the Audubon Institute Web page Rusty Gaudé and past showcasing area fisheries like shrimping are planned as well. Louisiana waters filled with hurricane debris. NOAA’s by other agencies. Boaters or residents who have found debris in Olson, Walkenhorst and other (www.auduboninstitute.org). Walkenhorst can agents and specialists Sea Grant has committed to donating a kiosk featuring coastal offshore survey was extended in 2007 to cover “A user can click on a surveyed offshore inshore waters should contact the Louisiana Brenda Walkenhorst, Erica Olson and Wetland Express volunteer Audubon staff and volunteers share be reached at bwalken@ Sandy Corkern, Paul commercial fishing and culture. an expansive amount of Louisiana coast, area and download maps displaying these Department of Natural Resources to report it. • Sarah Bienes. wetland facts through hands-on auduboninstitute.org. • Thibodaux and Rex “Once the museum moves into the main part of the city – near the including areas struck by Hurricane Rita. The sonar targets,” said Project Manager Nir Caffey were also schools with the wetland walkway and the library – it will have a lot of Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project has three Barnea of NOAA. “Likewise, a user may involved. interesting connections and hopefully be used a lot more,” Schexnayder main objectives: 1) improve maritime safety click on the name of a parish, then click on a Brix Appointed Laborde Endowed Chair When Horst said. “It’s a natural extension of the Jean Lafitte National Park.” and commerce 2) update the state’s nautical specific waterway and view maps and photos moved into the Hans Brix has been named the Laborde large-scale coastal restoration in Denmark qualified scientists to LSU to As tourist destinations, Kerner expects the revamped museum and charts, and 3) provide information on sunken provided by the U.S. Coast Guard to become state fisheries Endowed Chair for Sea Grant Research and and the Florida Everglades. He’s an excellent focus on marine and coastal new community complex to become vital to the area economy as it shifts debris to agencies that can remove it. informed about potential boating hazards.” specialist position Technology Transfer by the Louisiana Sea choice for the Laborde Chair, and he will be an issues critical to the state. from about an 85 percent reliance on commercial fishing to an ever- Led by NOAA’s Office of Response and Robert Travis serves as the deputy in 2000, agent Grant College asset to LSU, our students and the state.” To date, five internationally shrinking 60 percent. The town of about 10,000 residents is looking to Restoration and Office of Coast Survey, the incident commander for the last remaining Mark Schexnayder Program. He Brix earned both his master’s and recognized researchers have tourism, charter fishing, swamp tours and restaurants to fill the gap. program employs boats equipped with three USCG mission assignment in support of stepped in and will begin his doctorate degrees in biology from Aarhus been appointed to share “If you come to Lafitte, you’re coming to Lafitte. There’s one road in different types of sonar to scan offshore Hurricane Katrina debris removal at the helped secure six-month University. He conducted research at LSU their expertise on topics such and one road out,” Kerner said. “That’s why we need a couple of things waterbottoms. Once an object or “target” is USCG command post in Mandeville. Travis grants and visiting with the Wetlands Biogeochemistry Institute as microbial life in extreme to grab you and make you come here. We have good recreational fishing found, the item’s location, clearance and GPS said the Coast Guard’s original post-storm artifacts, as well professorship in 1996. environments, coastal for the whole state. The museum shows how hard commercial fishermen coordinates are recorded and mapped. These mission was to open “commercially navigable as assemble oral in the fall of “I am pleased and eager to accept the wetland restoration, seafood work and that they can use a little help.” • data are then reported at the Web site where waterways.” In Louisiana, that mission last 2008. prestigious Laborde Chair visiting professor sanitation, waste stream they easily can be accessed, free of charge, by year expanded to include debris removal Brix is a appointment,” said Brix. “This is a great processing/utilization, mercury Louisiana Sea Grant Receives Fisheries Assessment Grant boaters and the general public. in any “usually traveled” waterway in 27 professor and opportunity for me to work in the coastal contamination in coastal waters, and the Louisiana parishes from Texas head of the wetlands of Louisiana. One of my goals is mechanics of debris exposed to hurricane- Louisiana Sea Grant has been awarded characterization of the recreational-for-hire two new Sea Grant-sponsored postdoctoral to the Mississippi border. In plant biology to study the differences between native and force winds. a $648,512 grant from the National Oceanic charter fishing industry in the northern Gulf of positions and two additional graduate addition to conducting their own section invasive-exotic common reed (Phragmites For application guidelines, visit http:// and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Mexico; 2) an economic review of the recently assistantships for CNREP researchers in the LSU surveys of inshore waterways and at Aarhus australis).” www.laseagrant.org/laborde/index.html. Fisheries Service to conduct a socioeconomic implemented individual fish quota management Department of Agricultural Economics. coordinating removal of items Hans Brix that qualify under strict Federal University, Phragmites is found on every continent, The Laborde Chair was established at LSU assessment of the northern Gulf of Mexico’s system for red snapper, and 3) development “Each of these studies will provide baseline More information: Emergency Management Agency Denmark. His program’s focus is aquatic and except Antarctica. Its decline has been in 1994 with a gift of $600,000 from Tidewater fisheries. Rex Caffey, Louisiana Sea Grant of a demand forecasting model for U.S. data that is needed for state and federal fisheries • Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project, wetland systems, and his group has worked recorded in Europe during the past 50 years. Inc. and a match of $400,000 from the coastal specialist and professor and director of consumption of domestic seafood. Essentially, management purposes,” said Caffey. “Periodic guidelines, the Coast Guard is http://gulfofmexico.marinedebris.noaa.gov/ on coastal salt marshes, freshwater wetlands However, in North America, it has expanded Louisiana Board of Regents. John P. Laborde the LSU Center for Natural Resource Economics these studies will examine how increased snapshot studies, such as these, are useful in evaluating NOAA’s offshore targets • Thu Bui, LSG/LSU AgCenter Marine and seagrass habitats throughout the world. aggressively and out-competed other plant served as Tidewater Inc.’s chief executive & Policy (CNREP), will coordinate the project regulatory actions and downward market describing the short- and long-term implications to see which ones can be removed Extension: (337) 828-4100 or TBui@agcenter. “Dr. Brix has researched various wetland species. It is considered a noxious plant in officer for nearly 40 years and is currently with CNREP co-investigators Walter Keithly and factors have affected recreational charter boat of policy changes and market forces. Armed using FEMA funds. lsu.edu processes in Southeast Asia, throughout the United States because of its limited food chairman emeritus. He was the founder and Richard Kazmierczak. operators, commercial red snapper fishermen with objective, science-based information, Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) • Paula Ouder, LSG Communications: Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the value to wildlife. first chairman of what is now the Offshore The research will include three studies and domestic seafood processors, and what state and federal managers can make policy is continuing local outreach for (225) 578-6451 or [email protected] United States,” said Charles Wilson, The Laborde Endowed Chair for Sea Marine Service Association and has played a developed in conjunction with staff economists adjustments can be made at the public and adjustments to assure that the nation’s the survey and Web site. LSG and • Louisiana Department of Natural Robert Travis with the U.S. Coast Guard describes some of the vessels Louisiana Sea Grant executive director. “Some Grant Research and Technology Transfer major role in the worldwide development of of the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science private levels to address those forces. fisheries are managed in an economically and LSU AgCenter Marine Extension Resources, 1 (866) 579-4-DNR or www. and other marine debris deposited by Hurricane Katrina in the agent Thu Bui is making sure LouisianaMarineDebris.com • of his more recent research has focused on enables Louisiana Sea Grant to bring highly the offshore service industry. • Center. They include: 1) a survey and The three-year project also will establish environmentally sound manner.” • Tchefuncte River in Madisonville.