Charter-for-hire

LDWF, LDR Resume Partnership to Expedite Boat Registrations

four men fishing from inshore charter boat

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) are resuming their partnership to expedite the process of registering boats. Beginning March 28, an LDR representative will be on-site at LDWF Headquarters in Baton Rouge every Monday from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Since…

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Commercial Large Coastal Shark Possession Limit Increases to 55

blacktip shark

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks (great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, silky shark, spinner shark, and tiger shark) is increasing from 45 to 55 per…

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NOI To Set Annual Commercial And Recreational Closed Season For Flounder

box of several flounder and one black drum

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) has adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to set an annual closed season for the recreational and commercial harvest of Southern Flounder from October 15 through November 30 of each year. Modifications in this rule create one statewide closed season for Southern Flounder…

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NOAA: The GOM VMS Requirement for Charter/Headboat Vessels is 3-1-22

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

Key Message: The Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) program vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirement will become effective March 1, 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council selected the VMS requirement to enhance recreational data and catch limit tracking in the Gulf of Mexico for improved fisheries management. When:…

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January 2022 Council Update

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually from January 24-27, 2022. The Council began by electing Dr. Greg Stunz as Vice Chair. The Council also revised and adopted Committee assignments through August 2022. The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished during the meeting: Vermilion Snapper After hearing…

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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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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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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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