Gulf Council Asks for Information on King Mackerel

king mackerel swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of king mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about trends or “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. A scientific stock assessment of king mackerel…

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Reminder of Current Blue Crab Harvest Regulations

crab traps floating in water

At its September 6, 2018 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to change regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs in 2019.  The rule prohibits the recreational and commercial take and/or possession of female blue crab for a 35-day period beginning…

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August 2019 Council Update

reef fish swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 12-15, 2019.  The Council re-elected Dr. Tom Frazer as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair.  The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions:   Recreational For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target Buffer…

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Recommended Reduced Annual Catch Target Buffer for Federal For-Hire Red Snapper

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to reduce the buffer between the annual catch limit and the annual catch target for federal for-hire red snapper to 9%. The buffer is in place to account for management uncertainty. Seasons are set based on the annual catch target…

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Louisiana Commercial Shark Possession Limit to Increase

blacktip shark

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks will increase from 45 to 55 per day effective immediately. The large coastal shark group includes great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark,…

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LWF Commission Sets 2019-20 Louisiana Oyster Season

fishermen culling oysters on boat deck

At its August monthly meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2019-20 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by 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…

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LA Red Snapper Landing Estimates through July 21

Thu Bui holding caught red snapper

The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) near real-time data collection program, is 530,940 pounds, or 65 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This estimate covers the period through July 21. The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s…

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LDWF Announces Fall Inshore Shrimp Season Opening

LDWF map of fall inshore shrimp opening areas

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

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LDWF: All segments of fishing community that show impacts are covered by Governor’s request

Louisiana fishing boats

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) continues to measure the impacts that the historic flooding event has had on the state’s crucial aquatic life. Last month, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration which could provide financial assistance to any segment of Louisiana’s fishing industry…

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