Finfish

Gulf Council Asks for Information on Gag Grouper

gag group La Fisheries Forward

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about what they have observed, including any “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. Scientists are currently…

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Segment 2 Virtual Seafood HACCP Workshop Jan. 29, 2021

fish filet Louisiana Fisheries Forward

Sponsored by LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Sea Grant, Virginia Tech and Virginia Sea Grant  Training in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is mandated for seafood processors, packers, wholesales, importers, harvesters and warehouses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Seafood HACCP courses teach the principles of HACCP and empower…

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November/December Council Update

large red snapper being held by La Sea Grant and LDWF employees

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually on November 30 and December 1, 2020. The meeting began with a presentation from the NOAA Office of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species on its Draft Amendment 14, which considers creating a framework for establishing acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits…

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New Gulf For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements Begin January 2021

Educational materials are on their way to all permit holders and are available online  NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils are implementing the new Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program in January 2021. The intent of the program is to provide more timely catch information…

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Final Rule Revises the Annual Catch Limit for Gray Snapper in the Gulf

fishing rods on a boat

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule reduces the annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper.  WHEN WILL THE RULE TAKE EFFECT: The rule becomes effective on December 17, 2020.  WHAT THIS MEANS: The final rule reduces the annual catch…

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October Gulf Council Update

red snapper

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually on October 26-28, 2020. The Council began by populating its Council Committee Roster for October 2020 – August 2021. The meeting agenda was modified to allow Council members, fishermen, and the broader stakeholder community time to prepare for the anticipated landfall…

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NOAA Fisheries Announces a New and Improved Catch Shares Online System

gray triggerfish

NOAA Fisheries is currently developing an updated Catch Shares Online System. The new system will be hosted in a cloud application that should decrease the unexpected down-times in the future. As development of the new Catch Shares Online System is underway, NOAA Fisheries will be looking for volunteers, both shareholder…

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CARES Act Application Deadline Extended to November 23

Louisiana commercial fishing

Due to the impacts of hurricanes Laura and Delta, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the application deadline by a month for the $14.6 million in financial assistance available to Louisiana’s fishing industry hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The original deadline was 11:59 p.m. Oct….

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CARES Act Fund Applicants Should Verify they are Completing the Correct Application

fishing pier on Lake Pontchartrain

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is alerting the public that there is only one LDWF application available for commercial fishing industry assistance via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. LDWF has been accepting applications since Sept. 14 from Louisiana commercial fishermen and others in the…

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