Fishermen offered market training

Charter and commercial fishermen contend that after six years of disasters, ranging from hurricanes, to oil spills, to a sagging national economy, no two industries have suffered quite like theirs.

Successful individuals making a living on the water know that to survive they need to update their methods of catching, processing and selling product.

In an effort to boost the fishing industry, Options for Independence and the South Central Planning and Development Commission have pooled resources to offer training in financial operations and marketing ability to these skilled workers.

“Fishermen know how to fish, but in today’s world they need to know how to make more with what they catch and keep more of what they make,” SCPDC Economic Development Administrator Cullen Curole said.

Options and SCPDC have issued an invitation to both commercial and charter fishermen to participate in training sessions designed to teach the usage of Quickbooks and other financial tools specifically targeting this industry.

“Bring your bookkeeper,” Options trainer Katie Sims said. “Bring whoever handles those things for your fishing business.”

Quickbooks sessions have been credited with keeping many area fishermen in business. “This will help me from getting behind on posting my books,” participant Gerald Ellender said.

Louisiana SeaGrant extension agent Julie Falgout said she took the high tech training and confirmed it to be an advantage over more traditional methods of performing those tasks.

“Technology can help the business of fishing become more efficient and less costly,” Falgout said.

The next Quickbooks session will begin on July 30. A location for the training will be determined based on the number of enrollees.

As part of the Financial Literacy Program for Fishermen, this training is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board.