Sea Grant Superior Achievement Award

I had a chance last week to participate in an awards ceremony with recipients of the Superior Outreach Award from the National Assembly of Sea grant Extension Program Leaders (ASGEPL). Three Louisiana Sea Grant/LSU AgCenter Extension Agents, Albert "Rusty" Gaude' from Plaquemines Parish, Kevin Savoie from Southwest Louisiana, and Mark Schexnayder from Southeast Louisiana were honored for their efforts in assisting commercial fishermen and local governments following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

These men worked to bring a Marine Travelift from Valdez, Alaska to Empire, Louisiana to help get commercial fishing vessels back in the water, helped seafood processors go back into production, acquired and installed ice making equipment for fishermen and processors, assisted in relocating fishing vessels and coordinated storm debris removal. I was honored and humbled to be included in the national award with this trio for helping to rebuild critical fisheries infrastructure with the Marine Travelift portion of their efforts.

“Their work is a magnificent example of what a few dedicated Sea Grant people can accomplish working in a Sea Grant fashion – addressing a critical need in a timely, professional manner, and enlisting and involving multiple agencies and citizens’ groups,” said Jack Thigpen, ASGEPL chair. “What distinguishes their work from the other truly excellent nominees from the Sea Grant network this year is that the Louisiana project was conceived, started, and carried out while the agents themselves were in extremis due to the personal impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on them.”

During the award presentation in San Diego, Grant Chuck Wilson, the Executive Director of Louisiana Sea Grant presented me with a copy of Marsh Mission by CC Lockwood and Rhea Gary. Marsh Mission offers two visual interpretations of Louisiana's imperiled wetlands.

Gaude', Savoie and Schexnayder's efforts are chronicled in a documentary titled Sister Storms: A Louisiana Sea Grant Response. Best of luck to these great people!

Tags: Sea Grant, ASGEPL, Louisiana Sea Grant Extension, Hurricane Katrina

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