LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries

2021 Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Events; Volunteers and Sponsors Needed

Boat full of recovered abandoned traps.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will again host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup event this February.  LDWF encourages volunteers and sponsors to participate in these events to make this crab trap rodeo successful in 2021 and keep our Sportsman’s Paradise pristine. Volunteers Volunteers will…

Read More

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….

Read More

Feedback Requested: Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program Alternative Options

derelict crab trap

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), together with individual volunteers and organizations, has successfully removed and disposed of over 45,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps. The removal of these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Looking for possible options to…

Read More

Gov. Edwards announces program to help Louisiana shrimpers

raised TEDs and nets

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today a $250,000 program that will pay part of the cost shrimp fishermen will have to pay for mandated devices to protect sea turtles and other animals from getting trapped in their nets. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will operate the Skimmer Turtle…

Read More

Commission to Allow Oyster Lease Holders to Renew Leases by Mail

photo of three oyster boats in Gulf waters

Yesterday, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted to allow oyster leases to be renewed by mail for the 2020-2021 lease renewal period.  As has occurred in past years, oyster leases may also be renewed in person at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) office in New Orleans. …

Read More

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…

Read More

LDWF to Begin Accepting Applications for $14.6 Million CARES Act Funds

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will soon begin accepting applications for $14.6 million in financial assistance that will be available to Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

Read More

LWFC Sets 2020-2021 Oyster Season

oyster boat in Gulf

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2020-2021 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry. The following dates were set for the upcoming oyster season:…

Read More