Charter-for-hire

Gulf Council Asks for Information on Gag Grouper

gag group La Fisheries Forward

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about what they have observed, including any “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. Scientists are currently…

Read More

November/December Council Update

large red snapper being held by La Sea Grant and LDWF employees

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually on November 30 and December 1, 2020. The meeting began with a presentation from the NOAA Office of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species on its Draft Amendment 14, which considers creating a framework for establishing acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits…

Read More

New Gulf For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements Begin January 2021

Educational materials are on their way to all permit holders and are available online  NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils are implementing the new Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program in January 2021. The intent of the program is to provide more timely catch information…

Read More

Final Rule Revises the Annual Catch Limit for Gray Snapper in the Gulf

fishing rods on a boat

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule reduces the annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper.  WHEN WILL THE RULE TAKE EFFECT: The rule becomes effective on December 17, 2020.  WHAT THIS MEANS: The final rule reduces the annual catch…

Read More

Greater Amberjack Management Listening Sessions

saltwater fish caught on charter trip hanging on sign

Greater Amberjack is an important recreational and commercial fish species in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions. To address management and stakeholder concerns about the Greater Amberjack fisheries in both regions, Congress authorized funding of $10 million for a multi-year Greater Amberjack Research Program to be implemented through…

Read More

CARES Act Application Deadline Extended to November 23

Louisiana commercial fishing

Due to the impacts of hurricanes Laura and Delta, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the application deadline by a month for the $14.6 million in financial assistance available to Louisiana’s fishing industry hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The original deadline was 11:59 p.m. Oct….

Read More

CARES Act Fund Applicants Should Verify they are Completing the Correct Application

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is alerting the public that there is only one LDWF application available for commercial fishing industry assistance via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. LDWF has been accepting applications since Sept. 14 from Louisiana commercial fishermen and others in the…

Read More

Recreational Harvest of Gray Triggerfish in Federal Waters Will Reopen September 1, and Close October 26, 2020

gray triggerfish

Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) will reopen at 12:01 am, local time, on September 1, 2020, and close at 12:01 am, local time, on October 26, 2020. Recreational harvest will reopen in the Gulf for the 2021 fishing season at 12:01 am,…

Read More

LDWF main office, other locations, close Monday Aug 24

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries main office in Baton Rouge will be closed Monday due to the threat associated with Hurricanes Marco and Laura. The closings of state agencies were ordered by the Division of Administration. LDWF offices along with other state offices in the following parishes will…

Read More