LWFC Sets 2020-2021 Oyster Season

oyster boat in Gulf

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2020-2021 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry. The following dates were set for the upcoming oyster season:…

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Revised Reporting Requirements for Federal Seafood Dealers in Portions of TX and LA

birds in flight along Louisiana coastline

Hurricane Laura made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane on August 27, 2020.  NOAA Fisheries has determined that catastrophic conditions exist in the following Texas counties and Louisiana Parishes: Orange, Jefferson, Chambers, Harris, and Galveston Counties, and Saint Tammany, Orleans, Saint Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Saint Charles, Lafourche, Terrebonne,…

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Recreational Harvest of Gray Triggerfish in Federal Waters Will Reopen September 1, and Close October 26, 2020

gray triggerfish

Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) will reopen at 12:01 am, local time, on September 1, 2020, and close at 12:01 am, local time, on October 26, 2020. Recreational harvest will reopen in the Gulf for the 2021 fishing season at 12:01 am,…

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LDWF main office, other locations, close Monday Aug 24

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries main office in Baton Rouge will be closed Monday due to the threat associated with Hurricanes Marco and Laura. The closings of state agencies were ordered by the Division of Administration. LDWF offices along with other state offices in the following parishes will…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

People returning derlict crab traps

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), together with individual volunteers and organizations, has successfully removed and disposed of over 45,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps. The removal of these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Last year, LDWF, Lake Pontchartrain…

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LDWF Announces Opening Date for the Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season based on information provided by biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), input from the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, and public comments. Season openings are as follows: From the Mississippi/Louisiana state…

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Modifications to Charter Vessel and Headboat Electronic Reporting Requirements

saltwater fish caught on charter trip hanging on sign

NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to modify reporting requirements for the owners or operators of vessels with Charter Vessel/Headboat federal permits for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish or Gulf coastal migratory pelagics. WHEN THE RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT: The final rule will be effective on January 5,…

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Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15

shrimp boat in Gulf of Mexico at dusk

NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will open to shrimp trawling beginning 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on July 15, 2020, corresponding to the time Texas opens its waters to shrimp trawling. WHY THIS IS HAPPENING: The waters off Texas are closed to shrimp…

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