LDWF Estimates Inland Fish Kills Following Hurricane Ida

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ida, August 28, 2021

Following Hurricane Ida’s August 29 landfall, LDWF staff estimate that approximately 280 million fish were killed in inland waters, over an area that spanned approximately 1.8 million acres. LDWF staff notes strongly that there is no way to know exactly how many fish were killed following the storm. However, biologists…

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Gulf Council Recommends Increasing Vermilion Snapper Catch Limits

Fresh vermilion snapper on ice

The Council took final action on a Framework Action to increase the vermilion snapper overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limit. The most recent stock assessment (SEDAR 67, 2020) determined that the stock is not overfished nor experiencing overfishing. In addition to incorporating new recreational catch and effort…

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As Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Events Approach, Volunteers are Still Needed

Boat full of recovered abandoned traps.

Time is running out to sign up to participate in the 2022 derelict crab trap rodeo events.  Two events are scheduled for this year: one in the Barataria Basin and one in the Calcasieu Basin (more details below). These rodeo events allow LDWF and members of the public to work…

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Louisiana Shrimp Season to Close January 24 in Portions of State Inshore and Outside Waters

Map showing shrimp closure lines off coast of Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2021 fall shrimp season will close at official sunset on Monday, January 24, in the following portions of the state inside and outside waters: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a…

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Study: 2020-21 hurricanes caused $579 million of damage to LA fishing industry

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ida, August 28, 2021

Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida, which swept through Louisiana during various points in 2020 and 2021, resulted in an estimated $579 million in losses to the state’s fisheries infrastructure, revenues, and biological resources, according to a study by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LSU and Louisiana Sea…

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Completion Of Four Oyster Broodstock Reefs In Plaquemines And St. Bernard Parishes

hands holding single oyster, with oysters in background

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has completed construction of four reefs located at Petit Pass, Karako Bay, Lake Machias, and Mozambique Point in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. Approximately 5,000 cubic yards of limestone was placed within each 10-acre site for a total of about 20,000 cubic…

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Louisiana Shrimp Season to Close December 20 in Portions of State Waters

Map of December shrimp closures 2021

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2021 fall inshore shrimp season will close in all state inside waters on Monday, December 20, 2021, at official sunset, with the exception of the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River: Lake Pontchartrain, including Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes,…

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Alternative Oyster Culture Grant Applications Accepted through Jan. 13

oyster farm

The first round of Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grant applications will open Dec. 8. 2021, and close Jan. 13, 2022. Applications can be found at www.laseafoodfuture.com/aoc. A public meeting to review eligibility and the scoring process will be held Dec. 16, 2021, at 6 p.m. via Zoom; register by Dec. 15 at http://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhghhTIt4pOlgJo….

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Venting Tools or Descending Devices Required for All Fishermen Targeting Reef Fish

photo of red snapper with barotrauma on descending device

The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act of 2020) was signed into law on January 13, 2021. The new Act will require commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to…

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Seafood HACCP and Sanitation Courses for Processors 2022

Picking crab meat

LSU AgCenter’s School of Food Sciences is offering two Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) related workshops for seafood dealers—specifically processors, packers, wholesalers, importers, harvesters and warehouses. Both courses will be held at LSU’s Efferson Hall, at the corner of Highland Rd. and E. Parker Blvd.; advance registration is required and…

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