Robinson Named Oyster Hatchery/Lab Director

Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) has named Elizabeth Robinson the new director of the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery and Louisiana Sea Grant Oyster Research Lab.

Robinson earned her doctorate in oceanography and coastal science at Louisiana State University in 2018. She started as the operations manager at the hatchery in September 2022 and shortly after became interim director.

As the new director, Robinson wants to completely staff the hatchery, including hiring a new operations manager and two additional research assistants. She is also looking for new undergraduate student workers for summer 2024. She also wants to address infrastructure repairs and upgrades at the facility. One of the largest challenges facing the hatchery is wear and tear due to salt exposure and hurricanes. The hatchery’s residential building is still unusable after damage from Hurricane Ida in 2021. Robinson is also working on infrastructure upgrades to increase production and improve efficiency.

Robinson is rebuilding the hatcheries research program. Her goal is to fill a research niche that can serve oyster hatcheries, nurseries and off-bottom farms, as well as the traditional oyster industry, and the recirculating aquaculture industry. Robinson wants to investigate ways to improve oyster settlement and nursery operations. She would also like to delve into aquaponics/hydroponic research and some multitrophic or multi-species research.

Lastly, Robinson is building the lab’s extension and education effort with the hope of improving workforce development in recirculating aquaculture. “The hatchery is revamping its education and extension materials,” Robinson added. “We would like to continue to grow our relationships with the LSG Education and Outreach team and other partners to continue to serve a general aquaculture industry.”

If interested in learning more about oyster production and the lab’s research efforts, they can be followed on Instagram (@lasg_researchlab).