LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 6 in a Portion of State Inside Waters

Map showing waters closed to inshore shrimping July 6, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020, in all remaining inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line.  This closure includes the Louisiana portion of Mississippi Sound as…

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Gulf Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Reduce Burdens on Domestic Fishing

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. The Executive Order aims to improve the competitiveness of our domestic seafood industry, put more Americans to work, and place more sustainably sourced and safe-to-eat seafood products on our families’ tables….

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LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 1, 2020 in a Portion State Inside Waters

Map of shrimp closing areas July 1, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River except for: the open waters of the Louisiana portion…

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June 2020 Council Update

hooks on a basket

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually June 15 – 18, 2020.  The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished. Fishing Access and Possession Allowances in Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a document…

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LDWF Asks Saltwater Anglers to Complete Web-Based Survey on Spotted Seatrout Management

two men fishing out of boat on Big Lake

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana State University and Louisiana Sea Grant have released a survey to gather public input on spotted seatrout management options. This survey is an additional effort to collect public input on these options; we also conducted eight statewide public meetings earlier this…

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LWFC: Notice of Intent to Modify GOM Greater Amberjack Commercial Trip Limits

greater amberjack

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to decrease the commercial trip limit of greater amberjack from 1,500 lbs to 1,000 lbs gutted weight.  This action matches those taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries in federal waters. Additionally, the NOI provides…

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New COVID-19 Fact Sheets in Vietnamese

proper distancing graphic in Vietnamese

Fact sheets on COVID-19 specifically geared for commercial fishermen and processors have now been translated to Vietnamese.  Experts from LSU School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Louisiana Sea Grant put together tips for how to properly handle seafood during a public health emergency. Click here for the processors fact sheet, titled…

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LDWF to release Inshore and Nearshore Artificial Reef RFIQ from Qualified Non-profit Organizations

shrimp boat at sea

The Artificial Reef Program (Program) is responsible for the planning, siting, material selection, permitting, and monitoring oversight of inshore artificial reef development. Inshore reefs are those artificial reefs developed solely in Louisiana state waters between the Louisiana Intracoastal Waterway and the Louisiana coastline and within Lake Pontchartrain. Nearshore waters are…

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LDWF buildings reopen in BR May 15, statewide May 18

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will be opening its offices in phases beginning Friday, May 15, at its headquarters in Baton Rouge and across the state on Monday, May 18. The Baton Rouge office, located at 2000 Quail Drive, is opening earlier to focus on the large…

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NOI to Modify the Minimum Commercial and Recreational Size Limits for Cobia

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to modify commercial and recreational minimum size limits for cobia. The proposed changes would modify the existing rule on the minimum commercial and recreational size limits for cobia from 33 inches fork length to 36 inches fork length. …

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