MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Gulf Coast promoters are launching a new marketing campaign to increase sales of Alabama seafood, funded with grant money provided by BP after its 2010 oil spll in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission is kicking off a three-year, $5 million marketing drive to increase demand for Alabama seafood. The ads particularly target state consumers and restaurants across the region.
Commission members gathered in Mobile on Friday to unveil the campaign.
Advertising on television, print and billboards will direct people to EatAlabamaSeafood.com, which includes information on restaurants, seafood retailers, distributors and charter boats. The site also includes recipes, a field guide to seafood, profiles of chefs and event information.
Chris Blankenship, director of marine resources for the state and the administrator of the seafood commission, said the panel established by Gov. Robert Bentley includes all parts of the state's seafood industry.
"The campaign and website go a long way to share the coastal experience and to help consumers and retailers more easily access fresh, local seafood," he said.
Parts of the Gulf Coast economy are still recovering from damage caused by the BP oil spill. The Alabama coastal town of Bayou La Batre is home to commercial fishing vessels and seafood processing houses that were hurt by the spill.
The state's seafood industry accounts for about $390 million in sales annually.
