NOAA Fisheries Announces a Temporary Rule Extending Use of Limited Tow Times in Lieu of TEDs

raised TEDs and nets

NOAA Fisheries is publishing a temporary rule to allow shrimp fishers to continue to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in specific Louisiana state waters from 91° 23’ West longitude eastward to the Louisiana/Mississippi border, and seaward out three nautical miles. This temporary rule…

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Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit Postponed until March 1, 2023

image of fishing net laying on a dock

Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU announces that the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit is postponed until March 1, 2023.  Normally held every two years, Summit is the state’s premier commercial fishing and seafood event that offers workshops, demonstrations, and expo. “It was a tough call to postpone, but Hurricane…

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LDWF Announces Commercial Fishing License Sale Locations and Dates

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) new Commercial License fee structure went into effect on November 15, 2021. Commercial fishermen are also reminded that most of their licenses can be renewed online at www.wlf.la.gov by clicking on “Buy A License”. However, due to changes enacted in the 2021 legislative session, some…

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New Commercial Fishing Licenses Now Available

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that several changes made to Commercial License in the 2021 Legislative Session go into effect today (Nov. 15, 2021). Some of the new licenses include: The Freshwater Charter Guide License – Louisiana freshwater charter guides will be required to have a…

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LDWF, LSU conducting hurricane damage survey for commercial seafood industry

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ida, August 28, 2021

Was your marine fisheries/seafood business affected by Hurricane Ida, Laura, Delta or Zeta?  Whether those impacts were large or small, we want to hear from you! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has teamed up with LSU to develop a survey of commercial business losses from these storms.  Please…

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October 2021 Council Meeting Summary

gray triggerfish

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Orange Beach, Alabama October 25-28, 2021.  The meeting began with the Council populating its Council Committees through August 2022.  The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions: Cobia The Council took final action on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment…

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NOAA Announces a Temp Rule Authorizing Tow Times in Lieu of TEDS in Some Areas

shrimp boat Grand Isle Louisiana

NOAA Fisheries is publishing a temporary rule to allow shrimp fishers to use limited tow times as an alternative to Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in specific Louisiana state waters from 91° 23’ West longitude eastward to the Louisiana/Mississippi border, and seaward out three nautical miles. This temporary rule is effective…

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LWFC Approves Oyster Lease Renewals By Mail Beginning November 5

photo of three oyster boats in Gulf waters

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted today to allow oyster lessees to renew lease agreements by mail for the 2021-2022 lease renewal period.  As has occurred in past years, lessees may also renew lease agreements in person at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) office in New…

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2022 Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Events; Volunteers and Sponsors Needed

Boat full of recovered abandoned traps.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup events this February.  LDWF encourages volunteers and sponsors to participate in these events to make the crab trap rodeos successful in 2022 and keep our Sportsman’s Paradise pristine. Volunteers Volunteers will help…

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Implementation of the Vessel Monitoring System Reporting Requirements for Federally Permitted Charter and Headboat Vessels Delayed

charter boat deckhand gets fish on line for customer

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries is delaying the implementation of the Gulf of Mexico vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirement for the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program from December 13, 2021, to March 1, 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council requested the VMS requirement with the intention of enhancing…

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