The Gulf of Mexico produces 70 percent of the nation’s oysters and 69 percent of its domestic shrimp. Until recently, however, the states along the Gulf Coast did not work together to market seafood under one, unified brand.
That changed almost two years ago with the creation of the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition, which brought together the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to coordinate efforts on promoting the region’s seafood industry.
The Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation under a grant from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission formed the coalition. The coalition coordinates promotion efforts and helps provide “a cohesive vision and overarching strategy to showcase Gulf Coast seafood.”
Joanne McNeely, seafood marketing coordinator for the Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, said the coalition was established as a result of the damage the Gulf suffered during the BP oil spill. Since then, it has served as a rallying point for recovery of the region’s seafood industry.
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