Interview with David Richard and Kent Ledoux in Grand Chenier, Louisiana.

Interview with David Richard and Kent Ledoux in Grand Chenier, Louisiana.

Edward Robin talks about his experience in the oyster industry in St. Bernard Parish.  He talks about the oyster drudge mechanism as well as the advancements in the oyster industry since he started out in 1947.  Robin discusses the new rules and regulations oyster fishermen must abide by.  He also discusses the oyster canning business and the various oyster canning facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi.  He talks about the detrimental effect that hurricanes have on oysters.  He also talks about crabbing, specifically the different stages of crabs.

Interview with Louis Blum in Houma, Louisiana.

 

Edward and Brad Robin are two oyster fishermen from Yscloskey.  They explain the process of how to catch oysters and the technology and terms used in the trade.  They mentioned the problems since the BP Oil Spill and hardships and struggles to keep all of their employees.  They also discussed the pirate wars between Mississippi and Louisiana.  Edward described life after World War II when he started Robin’s Seafood and the modern changes to the way oysters are caught from when he started as a child.

Interview with Sandra Boquet in Cameron, Louisiana.

The Skrmetta Family discusses canneries, seafood processing, shrimp peeling, oysters, Mavar Shrimp and Oil Company, shipyard, canning companies, shrimp drying, prohibition and dry States, and the Great Depression.

Chris Cenac Sr. discusses the dried shrimp industry in the 1930's.  He also talks about the Germans and their use of the shrimp.  He also tells about Louisiana State University in the 60's.  He talks about his ancestors and their travel to Louisiana.  This transcript also discusses the invention of canning and pasteurization and its introduction into America.  The creation and use of Tabasco on seafood was being promoted around the time.  He talks about the steamboats and trains as mode of transportation as well as the development of the telegraph.

Interview with Clifford Smith in Houma, Louisiana.

Dr. Chris Cenac is talking about the book he wrote, Eyes of an Eagle. The book describes the history of Houma, Louisiana, through the eyes of Dr. Chris Cenac's great-grandfather Jean Pierre Cenac, Sr. The Cenac family made many contributions to the improvement of technology and modernization of Houma and the surrounding areas. These include Houma Fish & Oyster Company, the first Ford dealership, and Louisiana Crushing Company. He also described the events leading up to the invention of the can, the air conditioner, the label making process, and getting gasoline out of the ground.