Sustainable Seafood at Audubon Nature Institute

Founded in 2012

What does G.U.L.F. do? Certification Fishery Improvement Projects Community Engagement and Education

What does G.U.L.F. do? G.U.L.F Certification Fishery Improvement Projects Community Engagement and Education Technical Programs

What does G.U.L.F. do? G.U.L.F Certification Fishery Improvement Projects Community Engagement and Education Outreach

Sustainability Certification Update The G.U.L.F. Responsible Fisheries Management Standard

Developing the G.U.L.F. RFM Standard  The G.U.L.F. Responsible Fisheries Management certification is based on the FAO/ISO standards and principles  FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries  FAO Ecolabeling Guidelines  International Standards Organization (ISO) 17065

Developing the G.U.L.F. RFM Standard  The G.U.L.F. Responsible Fisheries Management certification is based on the FAO/ISO standards and principles  FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries  FAO Ecolableing Guidelines  ISO  Initiated by Louisiana but designed for Gulf-wide use  Technical Advisory Committee has Gulf-wide representation

G.U.L.F. RFM Standard: Where are we now?  Finalized version of the Standard  To be released next week

G.U.L.F. RFM Standard: Where are we now?  Finalized version of the Standard  To be released next week  Guidance Documents and procedures are in final stages  Will be posted for Public Comment by late Spring/early Summer

G.U.L.F. RFM Standard: Where are we now?  Finalized version of the Standard  To be released next week  Guidance Documents and procedures are in final stages  Will be posted for Public Comment by late Spring/early Summer  Two pilot fisheries in assessment – to be completed in summer 2016  Louisiana Blue crab  Louisiana Oyster

G.U.L.F. RFM Standard: Where are we now?  Finalized version of the Standard  To be released next week  Guidance Documents and procedures are in final stages  Will be posted for Public Comment by late Spring/early Summer  Two pilot fisheries in assessment – completed in summer 2016  Blue crab  Oyster  Formal accreditation  Technical review completed  Procedural review in process – will be finished this summer  Full accreditation by summer 2016

G.U.L.F. RFM Standard: Next Steps  Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) Benchmarking  Recruiting other Gulf of Mexico fisheries

Community Engagement and Outreach

Regional Program

Seafood festivals Community Engagement and Outreach

Seafood festivals Industry engagement

Industry Engagement: Tow the Time

Industry Engagement: Gear Inspection

Community Engagement and Outreach Clean up efforts Seafood festivals Industry engagement

Community Engagement and Outreach Clean up efforts Seafood festivals Industry engagement Restaurant program

Restaurant Program  Goals:  Create a community of restaurants dedicated to local, sustainable seafood  Train front of house staff

Restaurant Partners AngelineCotton – MonroePalace Café AtchafalayaDante’s KitchenPeche Seafood Grill Audubon Clubhouse CaféDickie Brennan Steakhouse Purloo BaliseGW FinsRestaurant R’evolution BayonaHigh Hat CaféRuffino’s – Baton Rouge BorgneLa Petit GroceryRuffino’s on the River - Lafayette Bourbon HouseMeauxbarTableau CarmoNonna – MonroeYe Olde College Inn

Restaurant Program: Educational Dinners

Mobile App – Gulf Seafood Guide  Seasonality of finfish and shellfish  How to check for freshness  Species profiles  Restaurant Partners

Community Engagement and Outreach: Next Steps  Continued presences at festivals

Community Engagement and Outreach: Next Steps  Continued presences at festivals  Expansion of restaurant partnership program

Community Engagement and Outreach: Next Steps  Continued presences at festivals  Expansion of restaurant partnership program  Additional educational dinners

Community Engagement and Outreach: Next Steps  Continued presences at festivals  Expansion of restaurant partnership program  Additional educational dinners  Expansion of Tow the Time Campaign

Community Engagement and Outreach: Next Steps  Continued presences at festivals  Expansion of restaurant partnership program  Additional educational dinners  Expansion of Tow the Time Campaign  Continued facilitating gear checks

Marine Advancement Plans Marine Advancement Plans are Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) designed for Gulf of Mexico fisheries

 Awarded grant in 2013 by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission G.U.L.F. Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs): History

 Awarded grant in 2013 by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission  Charged with creating Fishery Improvement Projects for Gulf of Mexico Fisheries G.U.L.F. FIPs: History

 Awarded grant in 2013 by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission  Charged with creating Fishery Improvement Projects for Gulf of Mexico Fisheries  Called Marine Advancement Plans (MAPs) to distinguish region and process G.U.L.F. FIPs: History

 Awarded grant in 2013 by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission  Charged with creating Fishery Improvement Projects for Gulf of Mexico Fisheries  Called Marine Advancement Plans (MAPs) to distinguish region and process  MAPs=FIPs G.U.L.F. FIPs: History

 Designed after SFP FIP model  FAO documents instead of MSC Marine Advancement Plans

 Designed after SFP FIP model  FAO documents instead of MSC  Work directly with management agencies during process Marine Advancement Plans

 Designed after SFP FIP model  FAO documents instead of MSC  Work directly with management agencies during process  Addresses whole fishery Marine Advancement Plans

Current MAPs  Florida Blue Crab  Alabama Blue Crab  Mississippi Blue Crab  Texas Blue Crab  Florida Stone Crab  Texas Shrimp  Mississippi's Shrimp  Alabama Shrimp  Louisiana Shrimp Industry NGO’sManagement MAPs

How we communicate MAPs  Provide summary MAP report to buyers, retailers and restaurants who request information on the fishery

How we communicate MAPs  Publish information on the G.U.L.F. website- updated regularly

How we communicate MAPs  Post finalized/active MAPs on other well-known FIP websites:  SFP FIP Directory fisheryimprovementprojects.org

MAPs: Next Steps  Finalize the current shrimp MAPs in progress:  Alabama  Mississippi  Louisiana  Texas

MAPs: Next Steps  Finalize the current shrimp MAPs in progress:  Alabama  Mississippi  Louisiana  Texas  Publicize shrimp MAPs on the G.U.L.F. website and SFP’s FIP Directory

MAPs: Next Steps  Finalize the current shrimp MAPs in progress:  Alabama  Mississippi  Louisiana  Texas  Publicize shrimp MAPs on the G.U.L.F. website and SFP’s FIP Directory  G.U.L.F. will be beta testing a new FIP directory with FishChoice’s Fisheryprogress.org website

How to get involved in a MAP  Sign a Letter of Support

How to get involved in a MAP  Sign a Letter of Support  Participate in a MAP

How to get involved in a MAP  Sign a Letter of Support  Participate in a MAP  Agree to annual courtesy gear inspections by Gary Graham (Texas Sea Grant)

How to get involved in a MAP  Sign a Letter of Support  Participate in a MAP  Agree to annual courtesy gear inspections by Gary Graham (Texas Sea Grant)  Distribute Tow Time Stickers to skimmer fleet to encourage compliance with regulations

Thank you