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BP pledges $78M to promote Louisiana seafood

Funds from British energy giant to also promote tourism in the state

November 2, 2010 | By Ron Ruggless

British energy giant BP Plc. has agreed to provide an additional $78 million to test and market Louisiana seafood as well as to promote the state’s tourism — two industries deeply affected by this past summer’s Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.
In an announcement Monday at Acme Oyster House in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said the BP amount will provide $6 million a year over three years to test Louisiana seafood for oil and dispersants.
Another $10 million a year for three years will be provided to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation to market Louisiana seafood.
Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, said: “We are very pleased with the announcement made today by Gov. Jindal that the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board will receive funding to help us rebuild the Louisiana seafood brand. We applaud BP for making this commitment and working with us to help restore our fishing communities.”

BP last week made a similar pledge to Florida, providing $20 million for seafood inspections and marketing over three years. The company is in talks with officials in Alabama and Mississippi.
Contact Ron Ruggless at rruggle@nrn.com
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