Commercial Fishing

LDWF to Begin Accepting Applications for $14.6 Million CARES Act Funds

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will soon begin accepting applications for $14.6 million in financial assistance that will be available to Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

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LWFC Sets 2020-2021 Oyster Season

oyster boat in Gulf

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2020-2021 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry. The following dates were set for the upcoming oyster season:…

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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…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

People returning derlict crab traps

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), together with individual volunteers and organizations, has successfully removed and disposed of over 45,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps. The removal of these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Last year, LDWF, Lake Pontchartrain…

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LDWF Announces Opening Date for the Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season based on information provided by biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), input from the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, and public comments. Season openings are as follows: From the Mississippi/Louisiana state…

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LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 6 in a Portion of State Inside Waters

Map showing waters closed to inshore shrimping July 6, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020, in all remaining inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line.  This closure includes the Louisiana portion of Mississippi Sound as…

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Gulf Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Reduce Burdens on Domestic Fishing

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. The Executive Order aims to improve the competitiveness of our domestic seafood industry, put more Americans to work, and place more sustainably sourced and safe-to-eat seafood products on our families’ tables….

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LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 1, 2020 in a Portion State Inside Waters

Map of shrimp closing areas July 1, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River except for: the open waters of the Louisiana portion…

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June 2020 Council Update

hooks on a basket

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually June 15 – 18, 2020.  The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished. Fishing Access and Possession Allowances in Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a document…

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