Mission Statement
Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries (G.U.L.F.) was founded in 2012 from the need for a home-grown champion who understands and can advocate on behalf of Gulf fisheries and industry.
G.U.L.F. verifies that the natural marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico are fished responsibly, and recognizes the needs of the environment and the people who depend on that environment for their livelihood. Through our projects, we pledge to:
1. Promote sustainable practices through holistic, science-based fishery management programs
2. Foster a community that is knowledgeable and invested in Gulf seafood
3. Create a more stable and confident fishing industry
Being a trusted source of information is important to G.U.L.F., which is why communication is a cornerstone of our work. We know the discussion about sustainability goes beyond our borders, so we’re committed to connecting local, national and international voices for a broad consensus. At the same time, G.U.L.F. gives a voice to our fishing culture and economy, helping fishers and resource managers navigate environmental concerns and communicating the successes and resilience of our fisheries to audiences world-wide.
Though based in New Orleans, we have partners and contacts in all five states working together to promote and celebrate responsibly harvested Gulf seafood. By conforming to global best practices, we’re ensuring that Gulf seafood is recognized as world-class in both sustainability and quality.
Staff
JOHN FALLON, Director of Coastal Conservation and Sustainability Initiatives
John was a founding member of the Aquarium Conservation Committee, the group that spearheaded the development of the Sustainable Seafood Project for Audubon Nature Institute. In August 2012, John became the Coordinator of Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries and in 2014 became the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement. John oversees G.U.L.F.’s overall outreach, messaging, communications, and events and he spearheads the Restaurant Partnership Program. Contact John Fallon at JFallon(at)AudubonInstitute.org.
LAURA DEIGHAN, Program Manager, G.U.L.F.
Laura joined Audubon’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries in April 2018 to oversee the program’s fishery improvement projects (FIPs). Laura first developed an affinity for FIPs as an intern with FishWise working with partners to evaluate FIP participation and conducted FIP research for her Master’s thesis. She has a broad range of experience in marine science and policy, having worked in animal husbandry, on coordination of fish and habitat conservation programs as a Knauss Fellow with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and as manager of Capitol Hill Ocean Week, an ocean policy conference. She holds a Master’s in marine affairs from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology. Contact Laura Deighan at LDeighan(at)AudubonInstitute.org.
Contact Us
GULF(at)AudubonInstitute.org
Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries
Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species
14001 River Rd
New Orleans, LA 70131
504.398.3188
