Interviewer(s): T. McGuire. Houma, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

After several attempts, I got in to see Mike Voisin of Motivatit Seafoods to chat with him about his role with the Louisiana Oyster Task Force and other matters. He then introduced me to his father, Ernie Voisin, and he talked about the oysters. While the interview ranged over a number of issues, Mr. Ernie was most animated in discussing the unique pressure-processing techniques they had invented. The washing process is designed to combat vibrio disease; oyster people in other states are constantly attempting to get Louisiana oysters quarantined, and thus out of their own markets, so the processing equipment, though expensive, is an effort to save Motivatit's standing in the California market.

Ernie Voisin is a Houma native who grew up working for his dad on oyster boats. In 1947, at age19, he moved to California and worked in the aircraft industry for 17 years. He returned to Louisiana in 1971 and started Motivatit Seafoods, processing and distributing oysters. His ancestor, Jean Voisin, came from France and married a Cajun girl in 1700s. Ernie's son, Mike, is a 7th generation native, active in oyster politics in the state.