LWFC Proposes Removal of Shark Closed Season

Young man on charter boat holding bent rod with fish on line

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent at their meeting today to remove the shark closed season for recreational and commercial fishermen.  Currently, shark season is closed for 3 months from April to June for recreational and commercial possession.  The proposed regulations would remove the closed season….

Read More

NOAA Fisheries Announces Increase to Red Grouper Catch Limits in the Gulf

red grouper swimming along sea bottom

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for a framework amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. This framework amendment and final rule will revise the overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets for Gulf of Mexico…

Read More

Inshore Shrimp Season to Close June 30, 2022, in State Inside Waters

deckhand unloading shrimp from skimmer net on boat deck

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2022 spring inshore shrimp season will close at official sunset on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in all state inside waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line See the map above detailing this closure or click here….

Read More

For-Hire Vessels May Operate Under a Limited Exemption While Addressing Vessel Monitoring System Equipment Failures

Young man on charter boat holding bent rod with fish on line

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework Action to ensure that for-hire trips are not delayed or canceled in the event of vessel monitoring system equipment failures. As of March 1, 2022, vessels with charter vessel/headboat permits for reef fish and/or coastal migratory pelagics must…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More