Charter-for-hire

Commercial and Recreational Closure of Mid-water Snapper in Federal Waters

fishing rods on a boat

What/When: Commercial and recreational harvest of mid-water snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 am, local time, on September 18, 2021. The mid-water snapper complex consists of blackfin snapper, queen snapper, silk snapper and wenchmen. Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen January 1, 2022. Why This…

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NOAA: Modifications to Vessel Monitoring System Reporting Requirements for Gulf Charter and Headboat Vessels

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will establish Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) reporting requirements for Charter and Headboat Vessels with Gulf reef fish and Gulf coastal migratory pelagic federal permits. Regulations will be effective December 13, 2021. What This Means: The vessel owners or operators must install NOAA Fisheries…

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Hurricane Ida and Other Storm Recovery Resources

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ida, August 28, 2021

The Louisiana Hurricane Resources Web site, hosted by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, provides visitors with access to a wealth of data concerning storm preparedness and recovery, as well as archived information about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Click here to visit the website.

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LDWF Warns Public of Potential Fish Kills Due to Hurricane Ida

Close up of redfish face

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) says it will investigate each one of the substantial fish kills it predicts throughout southeast Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane-related fish kills are generally caused by low dissolved oxygen (DO), and can occur from landfall of the storm until weeks after the…

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August 2021 Council Meeting Summary

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in San Antonio, Texas from August 23-26.  The meeting began with the induction of re-appointed members Susan Boggs, Jonathan ‘JD’ Dugas, and Dale A. Diaz. Bob Gill and Billy Broussard were inducted as new members.  These members are appointed to serve on…

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Saltwater Anglers: Complete Survey on Spotted Seatrout Management Options

men fishing in boat at sunrise

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has released an updated survey to gather public input on spotted seatrout management options. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) directed the LDWF to conduct another survey on spotted seatrout management options prior to its October 2021 meeting.  This survey is…

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In-Person and Virtual Participation Instructions for the August 2021 Council Meeting

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting August 23-26, 2021. The meeting agenda and briefing materials are available on the Council meeting webpage. Both in-person and virtual attendees are welcome to join the meeting. The public will have two opportunities to…

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SEFHIER Validation Survey to Start in September for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind those charter, headboat, and dually-permitted vessels that have a federal Gulf Charter Vessel /Headboat permit for Reef Fish or a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (for-hire vessel) that the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER) validation…

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