Commercial Fishing

LDWF Warns Public of Potential Fish Kills Due to Hurricane Ida

Close up of redfish face

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) says it will investigate each one of the substantial fish kills it predicts throughout southeast Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane-related fish kills are generally caused by low dissolved oxygen (DO), and can occur from landfall of the storm until weeks after the…

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August 2021 Council Meeting Summary

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in San Antonio, Texas from August 23-26.  The meeting began with the induction of re-appointed members Susan Boggs, Jonathan ‘JD’ Dugas, and Dale A. Diaz. Bob Gill and Billy Broussard were inducted as new members.  These members are appointed to serve on…

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In-Person and Virtual Participation Instructions for the August 2021 Council Meeting

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting August 23-26, 2021. The meeting agenda and briefing materials are available on the Council meeting webpage. Both in-person and virtual attendees are welcome to join the meeting. The public will have two opportunities to…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

map of four crab trap closures in 2022

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has successfully removed and disposed of over 50,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps together with individual volunteers and organizations. The removal of these crab traps is critical to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Due to Covid-19, LDWF did not…

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LDWF Announces Opening Dates for 2021 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

raw Louisiana shrimp

Today, 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…

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LDWF Extends public comment period on draft ‘Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan’ to August 15

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish.  The economic impact to the…

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June 2021 Council Meeting Summary

Gray triggerfish swimming along sea bottom

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Key West, Florida from June 21-25, 2021. Red Grouper The Council took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 53: Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets. The most recent red grouper stock assessment (SEDAR 61) included information through 2017…

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Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 2 in Remaining State Inside Waters

fishing boats

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2021 spring inshore shrimp season will close at official sunset on Friday, July 2, 2021, in all remaining inside waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line For a map detailing this closure, see the map above…

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LDWF Seeks Public Input on Draft Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan

high water on Mississippi River in Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish. The economic impact to the…

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