February 15-18, 2009 Washington State Convention Center Seattle ...

POST-KATRINA MARINE BAIT DEVELOPMENTS FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
Albert P. Gaudé III
Louisiana Sea Grant Program/ LSU AgCenter
Louisiana State University
479 F. Edward Hebert Boulevard
Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037 USA
agaude@agcenter.LSU.edu
With the catastrophic events that came with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita during the fall of 2005, virtually all marine bait infrastructure
was either heavily damaged or fully demolished. The slow pattern of recovery from these events has changed the
interwoven fabric of marine bait collection and distribution supporting the premier recreational fishing opportunities along the
entire southeast coast of Louisiana.
Pre-Katrina marine bait availability was based on a system of traditional bait harvesters, providing an erratic stream of live bait
shrimp and finfish to retail and private facilities that relayed items to recreational fishermen. The recreational marine fishing
industry in southeast Louisiana was experiencing an unprecedented expansion due to international recognition of the offshore
and bay populations of popular gamefishes. The marine bait industry was therefore struggling to keep pace with the quantity
and quality demanded by the increase in state and international fishermen. Historical marine bait facilities often relied on less
technical methods of harvest, transport, and holding systems.
With the rebuilding efforts after the events of August 2005, there has been a noticeable shift of the marine bait industry towards
newer technology and techniques. Accompanying this opportunistic upgrade has been increased financial investment and interest
in regulatory support for this critical component of a lucrative recreational fishing sector.
Further challenging the development of this marine bait industry has been the recent 2008 Hurricanes of Gustav and Ike.
Although not as destructive to the southeast Louisiana bait industry as Katrina/Rita, many bait harvesters and retail outlets
were temporarily disabled. In some cases, this ‘second punch’ in the midst of the rebuilding cycle has proven to permanently
overpower individuals involved in the industry. As always, some components have seen these events as opportunities rather
than setbacks.
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