LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries

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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Private Recreational Red Snapper Landing Estimates Through May 30, 2021

Thu Bui holding caught red snapper

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has released the latest private recreational red snapper landing estimates through May 30, 2021. LA Creel, LDWF’s near real-time landings data collection program, indicates that 67,947 pounds, or 8 percent, of Louisiana’s 2021 annual private recreational allocation of 832,493 pounds have been…

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New Grant Program to Enhance and Expand Alternative Oyster Culture

Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) has received a $3 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to expand alternative oyster culture (AOC) throughout the coast. AOC – also known as alternative oyster culture – is when oysters are grown…

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Artificial Reef Program Reminds Shrimpers of Reef Locations in Lake Borgne and Mississippi Sound

fishing boat at sea

The Lake Borgne, Grand Banks, West Karako Bay, and Cabbage Reef artificial reef sites were established in April 2020.  Buoys were placed at each reef site at the time of deployment but are currently missing. LDWF is working to replace the buoys on these reefs and reminds shrimpers to be…

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Opening Dates for the 2021 Spring Inshore Shrimp Season

Louisiana coastal map showing inside waters opening May 24, 2021

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has set the opening dates for the state inshore waters based on information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists and public comments. The Commission action sets the opening date of the spring inshore shrimp season as follows: All Louisiana inshore…

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LWFC Passes a Notice of Intent to Update the Domesticated Aquatic Organism Rules

image of fishing net laying on a dock

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) to update the Domesticated Aquatic Organism (DAO) rules and add species to the list of permitted species. The NOI proposes the addition of four groups to the approved DAO list and removes some that are no longer under…

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Shrimp Season to Open May 10 in the Remaining State Outside Waters

shrimp boat Grand Isle Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island westward to the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal shall reopen to shrimping at 6:00 a.m. on May 10, 2021. The closure area is defined as…

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Reminder: NOAA Rules Regarding TEDs During Recovery Efforts

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds shrimpers who are actively participating in rescue or recovery efforts related to the sunken Seacor Power lift boat in both state and federal waters that turtle excluder devices (TEDs) must be completely removed and nets must have a tail bag that…

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90-Day Public Comment Period for Phase 0 Oyster Lease Applications Ends May 4

photo of three oyster boats in Gulf waters

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will conclude a 90-day public comment period for Phase 0 oyster lease applications on Tuesday, May 4. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission established the public comment period to bring transparency to the leasing process and provide coastal landowners with an opportunity…

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