KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that continues reductions in the Gulf of Mexico red grouper commercial and recreational annual catch limits and associated annual catch targets put in place through an emergency action requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The emergency action reduced…
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is pleased to announce the eighth offering of the Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) in the Southeast fishery region. MREP provides fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries with an opportunity to gain insight into how fisheries data are collected and how those data…
The lingering effects of the 2019 record floodwaters on Louisiana’s aquatic life continue to be measured by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The Mississippi River remained above flood stage for a historic length of time, with records dating back to 1900. Additionally, local rainfall also impacted other drainages. …
At its September 6, 2018 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to change regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs in 2019. The rule prohibits the recreational and commercial take and/or possession of female blue crab for a 35-day period beginning…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 12-15, 2019. The Council re-elected Dr. Tom Frazer as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair. The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions: Recreational For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target Buffer…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to reduce the buffer between the annual catch limit and the annual catch target for federal for-hire red snapper to 9%. The buffer is in place to account for management uncertainty. Seasons are set based on the annual catch target…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks will increase from 45 to 55 per day effective immediately. The large coastal shark group includes great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark,…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) continues to measure the impacts that the historic flooding event has had on the state’s crucial aquatic life. Last month, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration which could provide financial assistance to any segment of Louisiana’s fishing industry…
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission recently passed a resolution in response to the impacts of 2019 floodwaters on Louisiana’s fisheries. Water levels are expected to qualify this event as the longest flood fight in the state’s history. The resolution described the severity of the flood event and requested LDWF…
Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, together with individual volunteers and organizations, has successfully removed and disposed of over 41,000 abandoned and derelict crabs. The removal of these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Last year, LDWF, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation…