Lance Nacio grew up in Lafourche Parish, about an hour outside New Orleans. His family, like others on the bayou, made a living from the land and shrimped, trapped, and grew much of what they ate. Since 1998, Lance has captained the the F/V Anna Marie (named for his daughters), a 55-foot vessel large enough to sustain rough weather and a carry sizable haul, while small enough to keep diesel costs down. Innovative cost-conscious thinking has kept Anna Marie Shrimp in business through some very difficult times, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and the BP oil spill. Lance turned catastrophe into an opportunity to invest in on-board plate freezers that had long been used in the big commercial fisheries in Alaska and Canada, but had never been used in the shrimp industry. Other investments in the F/V Anna Marie included wider mesh nets and modified turtle excluder devices, meeting their commitment to environmentally responsible fishing methods. Anna Marie Shrimp is building a legacy where tradition meets innovation. The result is leadership which will improve fishing practices, freshness standards, and wildlife sustainability. Lance believes their efforts will directly help to ensure that Louisiana shrimp will thrive for the next generations of fishermen.