Commercial Fishing

LDWF: All segments of fishing community that show impacts are covered by Governor’s request

Louisiana fishing boats

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…

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LWF Commission Passes Resolution in Response to 2019 Flooding

birds in flight along Louisiana coastline

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…

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LDWF Plans Six Crab Trap Closures Along Coast for Derelict Crab Trap Collection

derelict crab trap

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…

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Louisiana Inshore Shrimp Season Closed June 28 in State Inside Waters

LA coast map showing shrimp closures

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced the 2019 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Friday (June 28) from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line except for the following waters: The open waters of the Louisiana portion of Mississippi Sound…

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Understanding Louisiana’s Path to a Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Commerce last week notifying the federal government that Louisiana’s fisheries are in a dire situation due to the extreme duration of high river levels. This year (2019) has been the wettest year on record in the Mississippi…

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Un-designation of a Portion of Public Oyster Seed Grounds Finalized

oyster boats at dock

A rule to un-designate a portion of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds east of the Mississippi River has been finalized by publication in the Louisiana State Register. This action will not become effective until the first lottery phase of the oyster moratorium lifting process commences. Lifting the long-standing oyster lease…

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LA Sea Grant Publishes ‘Disaster Declarations 101’

Louisiana fishing boats

In an effort to help fishermen understand a disaster declaration, the Louisiana Sea Grant Law & Policy Program has published ‘Disaster Declarations 101’.  See below, or download Disaster Declarations 101 PDF.  What does a disaster declaration mean? A disaster declaration is a tool that allows the federal government to provide…

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Gov. Edwards Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Flooded Fisheries

high water on Mississippi River in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. –Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today that he has requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Louisiana from the U.S. Department of Commerce following impacts of the spring flood flight on the fishing industry in Louisiana. Troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and the financial…

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LDWF preliminary findings show flooding affecting shellfish, finfish

Photo of a typical landscape of the Atchafalaya River Basin

The recent Louisiana high water events along with the opening of the Bonne Carre’ Spillway are having a noticeable effect on the state’s supply of oysters, shrimp, crab and finfish, according to preliminary assessments from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Preliminary results from monitoring of commercial harvest…

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June Council Update

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met last week in Destin, Florida. The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished:  Data Collection Advisory Panel The Council populated its Data Collection Advisory Panel (AP) and created its charge. The charge is “To review and evaluate data collection and…

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