Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is challenging governors across the country to bring on their strongest competitors for the third annual Great American Seafood Cook Off on August 6.

New Orleans is serving up a heavyweight competition to find America's top cooking contender. Stir, sizzle, and saute...don't miss a punch.

For last year's fanfare, winners and recipes, visit www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com

Seafood suppliers are invited to a trade event like no other. The Gulf Coast Seafood Pavilion features domestic seafood exclusively. It runs concurrently with the cook-off August 5, 6 & 7 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center.

Seafood suppliers: to reserve your booth, call Sandy Riddle at 504-454-2277.

Here at the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board we make contact information on Louisiana seafood suppliers available to seafood buyers.

We've worked hard to update the Directory of Louisiana Seafood Suppliers on our web site. But in these times when things change daily, we need your assistance

Please visit http://www.louisianaseafood.com and make sure we've listed your business and your correct contact information. You can update it right there. Look for the red box near the top of the page ATTENTION.

Also, Louisiana seafood suppliers keep an eye out for a postcard and special email with the access code to your seafood sales leads from the Boston Trade Show.

The Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference posted at their site Louisiana oyster facilities in operation as of the end of January, 2006, along with processors in twenty-four other coastal states.

ISSC was formed in 1982 to foster shellfish sanitation through the cooperation of state and federal control agencies, the shellfish industry, and the academic community.

To view the list of oyster dealers, SELECT WHAT'S HOT AT http://www.issc.org

Leaders of the nation's shellfish community, state regulators, and federal officials recently convened for the annual Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference Board Meeting.

All required states reported having Vibrio vulnificus education projects in place, in addition to the important Vibrio education work done by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation. "It is looking very positive," said Mike Voisin, chair of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force.

The Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp)committee is examining the method of data collection and reporting used to determine incidence of bacterial infection.

The ISSC Board in conjunction with the FDA will review their policy statement relating to the raw consumption of shellfish. The aim is how to best educate at-risk consumers by presenting post harvest processed shellfish as an alternative.

For more information, contact Mike Voisin at 985- 868-7191.

Whole Foods Company in New Orleans donated dollars to our commercial fishermen during their 3% Wednesdays project. On March 29, 3% of all of their sales went to a fund created by Fish for the Future.

Local Whole Foods marketing director Kristina Bradford said, 'We raised $2,454.72 for the Gulf Coast Fisherman's Relief Fund last week! We're so excited that we're able to provide this for the fishermen!'

You can also make a direct tax-deductible donation to the Gulf Fisherman's Relief Fund by check, money order, or credit card.

Gulf Fisherman's Relief Fund
Fish for the Future Foundation
3382 Gunston Road
Alexandria, VA 22302

Fish for the Future Foundation, an IRS approved non-profit:501c3 institution, created the fund. For more about the foundation, the funding mechanism, and donations by credit card visit www.fish4thefuturefoundation.org

The Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers created a fund, incorportated it, and applied for tax-exempt status. A newly formed board of directors will appropriate the monies for repair of damages to the oyster industry infrastructure.

Send your contributions to:
Louisiana Oyster Community Relief Fund
Whitney National Bank
103 East 21st Avenue
Covington, LA 70433

For more information contact the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association, John Supan at 225-578-6527.

The Ladies of Lafourche Shrimpers hosted another very successful annual fundraiser to benefit Louisiana shrimpers. They sold over 2,000 shrimp dinners at $10 a plate, breaking last year's record of 1,200, and entertained the crowd with music, laughter and a live auction.

Their top priority is to achieve a better price for shrimp. They've aligned themselves with an eight state association that is working with national trade authorities.

The Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) is sponsoring a trade opportunity between Louisiana and Chile's high profile supermarket sector on May 5 at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Building in Baton Rouge at 5825 Florida Blvd.

The recent signing of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement has opened opportunities for U.S. products, particularly prepared frozen foods.

Five buyers selected by the USDA Agricultural Trade Office in Chile will hold one on one sessions with Louisiana sellers.

For more information and to register, contact Carmen Arjona, LA Department of Agriculture & Forestry, ladeptag@sureste.com DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS APRIL 17.