Louisiana Sea Grant

This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension) in the Marine Extension Project (MEP), a joint program of LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent position will have primary responsibility to plan, execute and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational program for residents, local officials, natural resource users and coastal marine-related businesses in the two-parish region. The primary focus will be on strategies for sustainable economic development and management of the region’s fisheries, wetlands, water, and other natural resources. Additionally, education programming focus will include community resilience related to climate change, sea level rise, wetland loss, and storm surge threats.

Read the full job posting at: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/acole/articles/page1721233251121

WE'RE HIRING!!

Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/administration/about-us/human-resources/job_opportunities(or through Workday for internal applicants) Or you can simply scan the QR code

Louisiana Sea Grant was excited to participate once more in the week-long Wetland Education Teacher Workshop, known as WETshop, hosted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. During WETshop, educators collaborate with scientists to deepen their understanding of Louisiana's coastal wetlands, environmental challenges and the region's history.

Louisiana Direct Seafood connects you with fishermen and local dealers to directly purchase fresh, delicious shrimp, crabs, fish and other seafood… one step away from the boat.

The Louisiana Direct Seafood program helps consumers buy seafood from fishermen and vendors. Shop online or visit in-person: https://tinyurl.com/LouisianaDirectSeafood

The Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at Louisiana State University is accepting nominations for the John P. Laborde Endowed Chair for Sea Grant Research and Technology Transfer and Visiting Professor. Applicants should be nationally or internationally recognized for contributions in an area of marine/coastal research, technology transfer, education or business development. Academically affiliated candidates must hold the rank of associate or full professor or its equivalent and will carry similar faculty rank with the Chair appointment. Appointment duration can vary from a few months to a maximum of one year; nominations of individuals eligible for either one-half or full year sabbatical from their institutions are encouraged.

More info: https://www.laseagrant.org/research/laborde/

REMINDER: Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. today!

Dr. Jack Van Lopik, the first and longest serving Director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU, and his wife Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik, established the Dr. Jack and Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik Superior Graduate Student Scholarship (Van Lopik Scholarship) to assist graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in disciplines related to the mission and focus areas of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Programs as detailed in the Strategic Plan of the organization. The intent is to support the Sea Grant mission of furthering the wise and sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources by increasing the number of researchers and the body of knowledge in related fields including but not limited to biology, ecology, geology, fisheries, environmental science, coastal resiliency and design, natural resources economics, environmental education and disaster preparedness, extension and resiliency.

Applicants from departments at LSU that conduct research and extension in Sea Grant focus area-related topics will be selected by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program for the Van Lopik Scholarship using a peer review process. The peer review process will focus on academic achievement and experience with academic excellence as the top consideration, but every opportunity will be used to include underrepresented and underserved groups in the solicitation and selection process.

Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024.

More about the Van Lopik Scholarship: www.laseagrant.org/opportunities/student/van-lopik-scholarship/

Join us for the upcoming training courses! Both courses will be held at LSU's main campus in Baton Rouge.

𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 (𝗦𝗖𝗣) 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 - July 29, 2024
more info: www.laseagrant.org/event/scp-training/

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗣 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 - July 30-August 1, 2024
more info: www.laseagrant.org/event/haccp-seafood/

Pre-registration required by July 23 and space is limited so please register early.

The July issue of Lagniappe is here! This month includes a reminder about the new red drum regulations, several season updates, updated data for snapper and shrimp, plus a delicious new recipe you can try at home.

View the full July 2024 issue of Lagniappe at https://www.laseagrant.org/communications/magazines-bulletins/lagniappe/

Fisheries Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics Lab LSU AgCenter

Invasive apple snails, Pomacea maculata, have become widely established along the U.S. Gulf Coast, including throughout many of the freshwater systems in south Louisiana.

The presence of apple snails is most easily detected by the observation of the large spherical snails or the bright pink egg masses laid above the water surface.

These snails are highly ecologically disruptive through their immense consumption of aquatic vegetation, and their establishment can dramatically alter our aquatic habitats. More recently, the snails have begun to infest rice and crawfish ponds in southwest Louisiana where they are having severe economic impacts.

Mitigation efforts are critical to reducing the snails’ impacts to our natural waterways and rice/crawfish aquaculture systems. Apple snails or their egg masses should not be collected or transported for any reason. The eggs are frequently laid on boats, crawfish traps, irrigation structures and other objects sticking out of infested waterways.

Any equipment taken from bodies of water where snails or egg masses have been observed should be thoroughly washed and inspected before moving off-site. Learn more on stopping the spread: https://tinyurl.com/AppleSnails

The offices of Louisiana Sea Grant will be closed for the day on Thursday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

Marsh Maneuvers is a four-day camp held for high school 4-H Club and Junior Leadership members each summer. Since the program’s inception more than 20 years ago, it has become well-known for its hands-on educational activities related to coastal ecology, wetland loss, and key social issues affecting the health and economic well-being of Louisiana’s coastal communities.

Now accepting applications for Class 2 set to begin in the Fall of 2024!

The Fisheries & Leadership Program (FSLP) launched in 2023 to help enhance leadership in the Louisiana Commercial Fishing and Seafood Industry. It's a one-year program divided into four, two-day workshops for networking and skill-building that includes seminars with experts, on-site tours, personal skills improvement, and meetings with business and government leaders in Louisiana.

Who should apply?
Participants directly working in fisheries and seafood production in Louisiana including: fishing industry, docks and processors, science and extension, fisheries managers, insurance, finance, political staffers.

To learn more about the Fisheries & Seafood Leadership Program or to apply, visit https://www.laseagrant.org/outreach/fslp/

Hope Hebert is the newest research associate at the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery in Grand Isle. Originally from New Orleans, she graduated from Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and thought working at the Louisiana Sea Grant-operated hatchery would be an excellent opportunity. Hebert originally started as a student worker and has now moved into a full-time position.

Read more: https://www.laseagrant.org/2024/hebert-takes-new-hatchery-role/

Hey hey hey……there are open spots for Marsh Maneuvers Camp in July. It’s a terrific opportunity for high school youth to learn about the importance of the Louisiana coast’s habitat and natural resources. Youth should contact their parish 4-H agents for the application!

This wildlife camp is open to 4-H members who have completed 9th-12th grade.

Spots are open for the following July dates:
🍀Week 2 : July 8-12
🍀Week 3 : July 15-19
🍀Week 4 : July 22-26

Call the 4-H office if you are interested soon!!! The deadline is July 1st!!

The first cohort of the Fisheries and Seafood Leadership Program – conducted by Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) – officially graduated on June 19. The one-year program is designed to help enhance leadership in the state’s commercial fishing and seafood industry.

Pictured are: Percy Dardar (left), World’s Finest Oysters; Kim Chauvin, David Chauvin’s Seafood Co.; Kindra Arnesen, fishing vessel Ms. Aleens; Corey Olander, Reef Runner LLC; Julie Lively, LSG executive director; Eric Tran, Gulf South Inc.; Julie Falgout, LSG fisheries industry liaison; Elizabeth McLaughlin, office of Congressman Clay Higgins; Douglas Olander, Big D’s Seafood; and Merritt Walker, LSG Better Bycatch Program manager. Not pictured: Christian Bergeron, office of Congressman Garret Graves; Trudy Lake, Luke’s Seafood.

To learn about the program, visit https://www.laseagrant.org/outreach/fslp/.

Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) associate director Matt Bethel has published a case study mapping LSG’s work with the Pointe au Chien Indian Tribe (PACIT) to the Conservation and Adaptation Resources Toolbox (CART).

Bethel’s case study focuses on determining risk factors to climate change using traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). The PACIT uses TEK to adjust to climate change and develop working relationships with researchers to shape their own hazard mitigation efforts, in order to uphold their cultural practices and values.

Read more at https://www.laseagrant.org/2024/cart-case-study-highlights-lsg-work/

Each year, members of the Gulf of Mexico Climate and Resilience Community of Practice (COP) give an award recognizing an individual who has done an exemplary job of communicating climate challenges in the Gulf of Mexico. This year, the group named Niki Pace, a research attorney at Louisiana Sea Grant, as the recipient of the Spirit of Community Award.

Read more about the award and Niki's work at https://www.laseagrant.org/2024/pace-recognized-for-leadership/

Dr. Jack Van Lopik, the first and longest serving Director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU, and his wife Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik, established the Dr. Jack and Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik Superior Graduate Student Scholarship (Van Lopik Scholarship) to assist graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in disciplines related to the mission and focus areas of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Programs as detailed in the Strategic Plan of the organization. The intent is to support the Sea Grant mission of furthering the wise and sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources by increasing the number of researchers and the body of knowledge in related fields including but not limited to biology, ecology, geology, fisheries, environmental science, coastal resiliency and design, natural resources economics, environmental education and disaster preparedness, extension and resiliency.

Applicants from departments at LSU that conduct research and extension in Sea Grant focus area-related topics will be selected by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program for the Van Lopik Scholarship using a peer review process. The peer review process will focus on academic achievement and experience with academic excellence as the top consideration, but every opportunity will be used to include underrepresented and underserved groups in the solicitation and selection process.

Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024.

More about the Van Lopik Scholarship: www.laseagrant.org/opportunities/student/van-lopik-scholarship/

Sea Grant and NOAA Climate.Gov announce $60M to fund and support 9 competitively selected projects that will build a climate-ready workforce!

These projects are spread across the country—Alaska, American Samoa, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Texas, US Virgin Islands & Washington—and represent 9 of the 10 regions outlined in the Fifth National Climate Assessment.

Learn how communities are partnering to establish innovative programs that will train workers and place them into climate resilience-enhancing jobs across the nation: https://bit.ly/CRW-Announcement

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Ocean Service, University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, Protectores de Cuencas, Long Beach City College, Worker Empowerment Cabinet - City of Boston, Flood Mitigation Industry Association, Indigenous Sentinels Network, Green Workforce Collaborative, Washington’s Community and Technical Colleges, Ohio State FABE

The application deadline for 2024 assistantships has been extended to December 7, 2023, at 11:59 pm, CST.

For more information about Coastal Science Assistantship Program, visit www.laseagrant.org/research/student-research/csap/

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) continues its support of a graduate assistantship opportunity called the Coastal Science Assistantship Program (CSAP). This program provides graduate assistant stipends for up to three years to Master of Science students both enrolled full-time at Louisiana colleges/universities and involved in research relevant to Louisiana coastal protection and restoration efforts.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵 𝗽𝗺, 𝗖𝗦𝗧.

Full details at https://www.laseagrant.org/research/student-research/csap/