LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries

LDWF Announces Process to Lift Oyster Moratorium

hands holding single oyster, with oysters in background

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is lifting the long-standing oyster lease moratorium, which has been in effect since 2002.  The moratorium, which halted LDWF’s practice of leasing state-owned water bottoms to private entities for oyster cultivation, was originally instituted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at…

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Shrimp Season to Close in Portions of State Inshore and Outside Waters

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 fall shrimp season will close at official sunset on Sunday, January 24, in the following portions of the state inside and outside waters: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a…

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2021 Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo Event; Closures Will Remain

crab traps floating in water

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will not host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup event in 2021.  These events have taken place across coastal Louisiana since 2004, but concerns from increasing COVID-19 cases have led to the decision to cancel the event. The scheduled closures…

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Workforce Development Summit Panel Summary

Speaker addressing crowd at Summit

The commercial fishing industry in Louisiana has experienced changes within its demographics. Specifically, issues include aging of the fleet, (i.e., an increase in the average age of fishing vessels over time) and the graying of the fleet (i.e., an increase over time in the average age of fishing workers). While…

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Comment Period Extended for LA Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan Draft

hands holding single oyster, with oysters in background

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the public comment period to December 11 for its draft of the “Louisiana Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan.” The original deadline was December 4. LDWF is seeking public comment from all coastal stakeholders. The 2019 oyster stock assessment indicates that Louisiana…

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Meeting Dates for Skimmer Turtle Excluder Device Reimbursement Program (STEDRP)

shrimp boat at sea

On April 1, 2021, skimmer vessels 40 feet in length and over will be required by federal law to install turtle excluder devices (TEDs). The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will operate the Skimmer Turtle Excluder Device Reimbursement Program (STEDRP), which will reimburse up to 60 percent of the…

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Give Your Input on Draft of LA Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan

fresh oytser

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all coastal stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan.”  The LDWF Office of Fisheries is responsible for the protection, conservation and replenishment of Louisiana’s renewable, aquatic natural resources, including Louisiana oysters.  In the…

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