Commercial Fishing

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…

Read More

Gulf Council recommends a new commercial trip limit for greater amberjack

greater amberjack

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework amendment that considers reducing the commercial trip limit for greater amberjack. The Council decided to reduce the trip limit to 1000 pounds gutted weight. When 75% of the annual catch target is met, the trip limit will…

Read More

Greater Amberjack Commercial Season Reopens June 1, Closes June 9

greater amberjack

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2019 commercial fishing season for greater amberjack in Louisiana State waters will close on Sunday, June 9, at 12:01 a.m. after a brief re-opening on June 1st.  The commercial season is currently closed through May 31 st  due to…

Read More

LDWF continues to collect biological impact data as Bonne Carre’ spillway opens for a second time

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

The Bonne Carre’ Spillway opened Friday for a historic second time this year, while the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) continued its biological monitoring of fish and wildlife resources related to the first spillway opening. More specifically, the LDWF is cooperatively monitoring the effects of freshwater inputs from…

Read More

Federal Waters off Texas Close to Shrimping May 15, 2019

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will close to shrimp trawling 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on May 15, 2019, corresponding to the time Texas closes its state waters to shrimp trawling. Federal waters off Texas are west of the line…

Read More

LDWF Announces Opening Dates for the Spring Inshore Shrimp Season

2019 spring shrimp opening map

Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the spring shrimp season in state inshore waters. The dates were determined based on information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and public comments. Season openings are as follows: The portion of state inside waters…

Read More

Shrimp Season to Open April 25 in a Portion of State Outside Waters

April 25, 2019 shrimp opening map

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between Calliou Boca and the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island shall reopen to shrimping at 12:00 p.m. on April 25, 2019. The closure area is defined as follows: The eastern boundary line originates…

Read More

LWF Commission Un-designates a Portion of Public Oyster Seed Grounds

oyster shells

At its April meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission undesignated a portion of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds east of the Mississippi River. This action will not occur until the first lottery phase of the oyster moratorium lifting process commences. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will continue considering…

Read More

Gulf Council Suggests Modifications to Red Grouper ACL and ACT

fishing rods on a boat

At its meeting this week in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to modify the red grouper annual catch limits and annual catch targets. The Council chose to set the red grouper annual catch limits and annual catch targets based on landings from the…

Read More