Newsroom

Third Fisheries Leadership Class Announced

Louisiana Sea Grant announces the 2026 schedule and participant roster for the Fisheries Seafood Leadership Program (FSLP) Class 3, a statewide initiative dedicated to strengthening leadership, communication and resource stewardship within Louisiana’s commercial fishing and seafood industries.

The program brings together a diverse cohort of harvesters, seafood professionals, educators, researchers and agency staff for a series of hands-on sessions held across coastal Louisiana. Class 3 participants are:

  • Rivers Shane Bagala, oyster harvester
  • Lacy Dardar, World’s Finest Oysters
  • Johnnie Gale McKoin, Guidry’s Catfish/Ocean Select Seafood
  • Michaela Mayers, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF)
  • Michael Nelson, GW Fins Restaurant
  • Alec Scott Plaisance, LDWF
  • David Jordan Poole, Louisiana Sea Grant
  • Jacqueline Richard, Nunez Community College
  • Lisa Tillman, Tillman’s Seafood

The Fisheries Seafood Leadership Program is designed to help emerging leaders gain a deeper understanding of fisheries management, coastal issues, community dynamics and the business of seafood. Through workshops, field tours, group projects and discussions with industry leaders, participants develop practical skills to engage in decision-making and community leadership.

Course topics include leadership and communication, state and federal fisheries management, seafood supply chains and economics, coastal restoration and environmental change, and strategies for community engagement and policy participation.

Throughout the four-session course, participants will meet with local officials, researchers, harvesters, processors and community leaders to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing the state’s fisheries. Sessions include dockside tours, facility visits, interactive workshops and policy briefings.

The 2026 sessions will take place in four key regions:

  • January 27–28 — New Iberia/Delcambre
  • March 17–18 — Grand Isle
  • April 21–22 — Baton Rouge
  • May 19–20 — St. Bernard

“Louisiana’s seafood industry is strongest when its leaders have the tools and confidence to navigate changing environmental, economic and regulatory conditions,” said Julie Falgout, LSG seafood industry liaison. “This program equips participants with those tools while building lasting professional networks across the state.”

Participants were selected for their leadership potential, commitment to the seafood and coastal resource sectors and desire to engage more deeply in issues affecting Louisiana’s working coast.