Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council                          

J. Don Ashley, Ashley Associates, Inc., P. O. Box 13679, Tallahassee, Florida 3231

TECHNICAL REPRESENTATION

The overall objective of this project is to provide critical information and expert advice to the LDWF and to the FAAC relative to national and international issues that may affect Louisiana’s alligator management program and alligator industry.  This will be achieved through attending meetings, obtaining accurate information, providing recommendations and extensive communications in order to ensure sound state, national, and international regulations pertaining to alligators and other crocodilians. 

• Develop international trade status reports on crocodile, caiman and alligator trade
• Compile an annual trade study (IACTS) following the general format of past trade study documents; to be completed by June 1, 2008, 2009, 2010.
• The trade study shall have a section analyzing trade statistics in relationship to American alligator markets
• Expand section on alligator and crocodile meat trade
• Compile reports in cooperation with Wildlife Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC) in Cambridge, England; any associated cost of work done by WCMC will be responsibility of the contractor
• Attend necessary meetings associated with national and international crocodilian management, regulation and trade including but not limited to CITES, IUCN, CSG, and FWS
• Identify pertinent national and international issues that may have an affect on Louisiana’s alligator management program
• Keep LDWF and FAAC abreast and informed on all relevant issues regarding national and international issues that are relevant to Louisiana’s alligator program and industry
• Coordinate with LDWF,  FAAC and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) CITES Team to develop positions on all relevant issues related to crocodilian management, regulation and trade that will de discussed at CITES’ Conference of the Parties (CoP) and at related Committee (Animal and Standing) meetings held in interim years between CITES’ CoP
• Current CITES issues include but are not limited to: review of universal tagging program for alligators and crocodiles, personal effects, source codes, production systems, national export quotas, various species down listing proposals, enforcement issues, deregulation of trade in small leather goods made for alligator and crocodile
• After consulting with LDWF and FAAC contractor will represent LDWF and FAAC at national and international meetings concerning crocodilian conservation status and management
• Working with such groups as the CSG and IUCN contractor will continue to encourage economic assessments of crocodilian trade regarding issues such as conservation value, product certification and personal effects
• Develop a strategy and coordinate the effort to maintain the legal importation of alligator and crocodile products into California as current law requires importation issue to be addressed in 2010
• Keep LDWF and FAAC abreast of CITES enforcement issues that may impact Louisiana’s alligator program and industry
• Submit periodic reports with each invoice and submit an annual report to summarize efforts, meetings, and outcomes and significance to the alligator industry each June 1, 2008, 2009, 2010.

ALLIGATOR MEAT CONTRACT

The purpose of this contract is to conduct an alligator meat market analysis to assess pricing, competitors, impediments to importation, global markets and to develop recommendations to implement positive change to the alligator meat industry. The meat industry is a large part of the Louisiana alligator industry. Since the year 2000, farmed meat value has fluctuated between $2,967,665 and $3,997,377 annually. Farmed meat value peaked in 2004 but has generally increased over the years. Wild meat value has dropped from $6,006,220 in 2000 to $3,178,278 in 2006, causing concern with the industry.

• Investigate and chart the price structure and the current supply and demand of alligator meat.
  • Investigate and chart the price history of wild and farmed alligator meat and reasons for price fluctuations.
  • Study and investigate the market flow of alligator and crocodile meat as well as other exotic meats, focusing on both national and international markets.
  • Create an Excel list of distributors currently dealing with alligator meat.
  • Determine the main competitive forces and evaluate their distribution and promotional models.
  • Investigate and chart the distribution and production of alligator and crocodile meat products, such as canned meats, sausages and jerky.
  • Work with the European Union to develop a plan to implement a change in policy allowing alligator meat into European markets.
  • Work with the Pacific Rim to develop a plan to implement a change in policy allowing alligator meat into Pacific Rim markets.
  • Provide required progress reports and annual reports in a timely manner.

  Glenn Roger Delaney, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 900 , Washington , D.C

  The purpose of this contract is to provide assistance to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)/Fur and Alligator Advisory Council (FAAC) in dealing with federal legislation, laws (including treaties), and regulations impacting the management of the state’s wildlife resources. Emphasis is placed on legislation, laws, and regulations affecting the management of fur and alligator populations.

  Contractor hereby agrees to furnish the following services:

  • The Contractor will work with federal refuges, in coordination with DWF and the sub-committee designated by the FAAC, to develop plans to implement policy changes, which would allow alligator egg collections on federal lands within Louisiana.

  • The Contractor will work in coordination with DWF/FAAC to identify and secure sources of funding for the implementation of a research program to evaluate alligator diseases, survival, methods for disease prevention, and cures associated with Louisiana’s farmed and wild alligator resources.

  • The Contractor will develop and implement, in coordination with DWF/FAAC, a comprehensive and sustained  education and outreach program for Federal policy makers and administrators concerning the State’s wildlife resources including but not limited to issues associated with the management and utilization of fur and alligator resources at the state, federal and international levels including  the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), and the central role of fur and alligator management in successful wetlands conservation and restoration efforts in Louisiana.

  • The Contractor, working with and at the specific request of DWF/FAAC, will develop and assist with the implementation of strategies to address existing legislation and respond to proposed federal policies, legislation, regulations and other activities that may have either an adverse or positive impact on the State’s ability to manage and utilize its wildlife resources.

  • The Contractor will maintain frequent communication and consultation with DWF/FAAC as necessary and appropriate to effectively and efficiently conduct and coordinate the work described above, and will submit to DWF/FAAC monthly progress reports (to accompany requests for payment) that include a project status report and summary of all meetings, contacts and other information relevant to the Contractor’s activities and efforts to achieve project objectives.

  Quentin Morris, Mudplodder, Inc., 388 Rue Degabriel Apt. B1, Natchitoches, LA 71457

  The objective of the contract is to educate the general public including teachers and students about habitat and wildlife management in relation to the fur and alligator industries.

  • The Contractor will attend at least 10 events including, but not limited to, the Louisiana State Fair, the Gonzales Sportsman Show, the Cameron Fur Festival, the FHA Convention, and the Louisiana Science Teachers Association’s Regional Conference.
  • Contractor shall present at teacher workshops, schools and libraries around the state. Contractor shall coordinate with other educators within the state, such as those with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Cypress Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation and USGS.
  • Contractor shall develop educational materials, brochures and booklets, including a furbearer coloring book, an alligator industry coloring book, and educational materials based on Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for grades 5-8.
  • Contractor shall assist Fur and Alligator Advisory Council staff with efforts to coordinate and educate within the industry.
  • Contractor will send names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers of all educational contacts to the Fur and Alligator Council Program Manager within the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

  Michael Consiglio, 400 DeMaisonneuve Street, west Suite 306, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1L4

  The objective of the contract is to enhance existing markets and establish new markets worldwide for Louisiana furs. Markets will result in better prices paid to trappers and help reduce over population of furbearers which sometime causes habitat and property damage.

  Contractor hereby agrees to furnish the following services:

  • The Contractor will develop market opportunities by a) creating new nutria and raccoon products, utilizing dressed, sheared, and dyed pelts. These new products, will help create new markets for Louisiana dealers, b) create 10 garments and 5 accessories in various fashion segments of the fur industry from these processed skins.
  • The Contractor will market these samples to manufacturers in at least five (5) countries around the world. All interested manufacturers will be encouraged to buy raw skins from Louisiana fur dealers.
  • The Contractor will maintain contact with newly found raw and dressed fur dealers and manufacturers in and outside of the U.S. that have the potential to take a large volume of Louisiana fur skins. The location for this phase of the work will be in Eastern Europe, China and North America with special emphasis on Russia.
  • The Contractor will concentrate on the development of products utilizing eastern nutria that cannot be utilized in the plucked form.
  • The Contractor will continue to develop new markets for all Louisiana furs (especially nutria, raccoon, beaver and muskrat) when a marketing opportunity presents itself through joint ventures and cooperative advertising.
  • The Contractor will continue to develop and encourage the use of the Louisiana Nutria Label “Genuine Louisiana Bayou Nutria” with participating processors and manufacturers.
  • The name, address, telephone, and fax number of all potential buyers discovered or developed will be sent to all licensed fur dealers.

  Christine Maynard, DBA Little Star TG Sal, L.L.C., 388 Peninsula Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457

  The purpose of this contract is to promote Louisiana fur products made from genuine Bayou nutria into Louisiana retail stores, and to promote fur sales and popularize fur products.  The purpose/objective of this contract is to implement and successfully establish nutria coats and products into the market place.

  • Contact foreign manufacturers for price lists and sales and promotional materials. Locate and coordinate a Bayou Fur product line with one or more Chinese fur manufacturers.
  • Contact appropriate retailers in targeted Louisiana cities which should include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Houma, Morgan City, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport/Bossier, and Monroe; meet with the store representatives to obtain commitments to stock nutria coats and/or other fur products.
  • Provide product presentation and printed literature for reference and assure support and follow up to store representatives.
  • Coordinate terms for placing the Bayou Furs line in Louisiana retail stores.
  • Provide progress/reports regarding the level of interest with manufacturers and retailers, details of terms, pricing, shipping, and any problems in moving the Bayou Furs line forward.