News

Gulf Council Recommends Modifying King Mackerel Catch Limits

king mackerel swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on Framework Amendment 11 to Modify Gulf group king mackerel Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and Annual Catch Limits (ACL). The recent SEDAR 38 Update stock assessment determined that Gulf king mackerel is not overfished and is not experiencing…

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NOAA Fisheries Approves New Criteria for GOM Reef Fish and Red Drum Management

Man holding mutton snapper on boat

NOAA Fisheries approved new criteria to inform Gulf of Mexico reef fish and red drum management. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recommended these criteria changes for two amendments, Amendment 48 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Amendment 5 to the…

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LWFC Passes NOI to Add Oysters, Brown Trout to Domesticated Aquatic Organism Approved Species List

LA Fisheries Forward caged oysters

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) to update the Domesticated Aquatic Organism (DAO) approved species list by adding Eastern Oyster and Brown Trout. In addition to adding these two species, the NOI proposes creating the Molluscan Shellfish permit and the Coldwater Trout permit. This…

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Second Round of Alternative Oyster Culture Grant Applications Open Now

oyster farm at Sea Grant hatchery

The second round of Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grant applications will open May 6, 2022; the closing deadline for grow-out and nurseries is June 9 and for parks and hatcheries July 7. Applications can be found at www.laseafoodfuture.com/aoc, as well as a press release announcing the applicants selected in the first…

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LWFC Adopts Notice of Intent to Create Passive Gear Marking Regulations

two fishermen holding large hoop net with catfish

On May 5, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to create a rule regarding marking nets and traps in freshwater. The proposed rule mirrors the existing saltwater rule in Title 76 and would apply to gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, slat traps, and…

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LDWF Announces Opening Dates for the Spring Inshore Shrimp Season

2022 shrimp opening zones map

Today, May 5, 2022, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the state inshore waters based on information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists and public comments. The Commission action sets the opening date of the spring inshore shrimp season as follows:…

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Shrimp Season to Open in Remaining State Outside Waters on April 25

Map designating opening area of outside waters to shrimp

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between Mound Point on Marsh Island and Freshwater Bayou Canal shall reopen to shrimping at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022. The opening area is defined as follows: The eastern boundary line originates on…

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LDWF Begins Online Ordering for Oyster Hatchery Larvae

two eyed larvae as viewed under microscope

Beginning at 8 a.m. April 19, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will be opening its online ordering portal to provide the oyster industry with hatchery-reared oyster larvae produced at the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery. Requests will only be taken via the online ordering portal and…

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