News Release

Mariculture Task Force completes report

—Stage set for continued efforts—

The state’s Platforms for Mariculture Task Force has just completed a report for the Governor and Legislature and has made its findings and recommendations available on the web.

The task force was created by the legislature last year, to study how the use of offshore oil and gas platforms could be beneficial in growing marine organisms in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The group was asked to look at many aspects of the development of a marine aquaculture industry within state and federal waters in Louisiana, including economic factors associated with this new type of industry.

Task force members worked with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct business, hold five public meetings, gather and distribute information, review reports, and make final recommendations.

Members of the Platforms for Mariculture Task Force are Department of Natural Resources Environmental Consultant Gary Snellgrove, who serves as chairman, and the Governor’s Policy Advisor for Natural Resources Scott Kirkpatrick. The departments of Wildlife and Fisheries, Environmental Quality, and Economic Development are represented on the task force, as well as state Representative Mickey Frith, author of the House Concurrent Resolution establishing the task force, and Senator Nick Gautreaux. Other members include individuals from various industry and interest groups.

The resolution required the task force to submit a written report by January 31, 2005. In the report, members strongly urged that liability issues be identified and solutions sought during the early stages of future development and planning. The group also suggested looking at legislation patterned after the proposed federal Rigs to Reefs legislation and the state’s Artificial Reef Program administered under the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In addition, the task force cited that a comprehensive study would be necessary to generate a more thorough economic assessment of mariculture ventures for the state.

To view the Platforms for Mariculture Task Force Report (January 2005) online, visit the DNR website at http://dnr.louisiana.gov/mariculture/ or call 225-342-8955.