Loan Opportunity Info Available for Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Participants

school of tuna in blue water

NOAA Fisheries is sending this notification to clarify information about loan opportunities through the federal Fisheries Finance Program (FFP) for Gulf of Mexico IFQ participants. The federal FFP is a direct government loan program that receives an annual loan authority from Congress to provide long-term loans to the commercial fishing…

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Louisiana Shrimp Season to Close in Additional State Inshore Waters

Louisiana shrimp closure map as of January 23, 2023

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2022 fall inshore shrimp season will close at official sunset on Monday, January 23, in the following portions of the state inside waters: Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), and a section…

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As Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Event Approaches, Volunteers are Still Needed

derelict crab trap

Time is running out to sign up to participate in the 2023 derelict crab trap rodeo event. The event will take place this year in the Terrebonne Basin (more details below). This rodeo event allows LDWF and members of the public to work hand-in-hand, removing derelict crab traps that create…

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Notice of Intent to Reduce Cobia Recreational and Commercial Bag Limits

illustration of a cobia fish by Diane Rome Peebles

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to decrease the current 2 fish daily bag limit to 1 fish daily per person and establish a two fish per vessel / per day limit regardless of the number of trips for both recreational and commercial harvest….

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NOI to Remove Buoy Requirements from Freshwater Gill and Trammel Nets

hands of fisherman sorting freshwater fish such as shad and catfish in boat

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) today to remove the requirement of using international orange buoys to mark gill and trammel nets in fresh water.  The buoy requirement language was carried over to freshwater gear from the saltwater marking rule, and is being removed…

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Extension of Emergency Measures Modify the Greater Amberjack Recreational Fixed Closed Season

greater amberjack

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces the extension of regulations to reduce the recreational harvest of greater amberjack. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council agreed NOAA Fisheries should extend emergency action while they develop long-term management measures to rebuild the greater amberjack population. How Long is the Emergency Rule Effective: The…

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Shrimp Season to Close December 19 in Portions of State Waters

map of Louisiana coast illustrating areas to close December 19, 2022

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2022 fall inshore shrimp season will close in all state inside waters on Monday, December 19, 2022, at official sunset, except for the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River: Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi…

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Final Rule to Revise the Gulf Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits

king mackerel swimming

Key Messages: NOAA Fisheries announces implementation of the final rule for Framework Amendment 11 under the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. This rule modifies Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group king mackerel catch limits.   When Rule Will Take Effect: Regulations…

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Commercial Large Coastal Sharks Possession Limit Increases to 55 Sharks

blacktip shark

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks (great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, silky shark, spinner shark, and tiger shark) is increasing from 45 to 55 per…

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Final Rule to Implement Two Framework Actions for Gulf Red Snapper

red snapper

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will implement two framework actions under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to Data Calibrations (Data Calibrations Framework) and Annual Catch Limits (Catch Limits Framework) for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Red Snapper….

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