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BP America Supports Sea Grant Research

BP America donated $30,000 to support Louisiana Sea Grant College Program oyster research at LSU. Under the direction of Dr. John Supan, this project focuses on new oyster culture methods to be tested in Caminada Bay, Louisiana.

The project, jointly administered by Louisiana Sea Grant and the Grand Isle Port Commission will test a new concept of utilizing one of Louisiana’s most abundant natural resources: warm seawater. In a five-acre, inshore, molluscan aquaculture park, Louisiana Sea Grant, the Port Commission, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and oyster industry partners will conduct thorough technical, economic and legal evaluations of raising oysters inshore using advanced oyster genetics and off-bottom culture methods.

Funding for the program is shared among federal, state and private partners, namely: the federal NOAA Sea Grant- Gulf Oyster Industry Program, the Grand Isle Port Commission and oyster industry partners.

The Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, one of 30 Sea Grant Colleges in the National Sea Grant College Program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), integrates coastal and marine research, education, and advisory services in a flexible, interdisciplinary program to rapidly respond to state, regional and national needs associated with coastal and marine resources.

BP America is the holding company of one of the world’s largest petroleum and petrochemical operations. It is actively involved in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing, supply and transportation; and manufacturing and marketing of petrochemicals. BP has well-established operations in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Africa.

“BP America’s $30,000 gift to the LSU Foundation will serve as private sector matching funds for the federal grant that supports this effort. It is another example of BP’s investments in Louisiana,” Supan said.