Licensing & Permitting

Final Rule to Replace Historical Captain Permit

This final rule allows eligible historical captains the opportunity to replace their historical captain permits with standard federal charter/headboat for-hire permits for the reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries.  An eligible captain is one that had a valid, non-expired, or renewable historical captain permit as of October 25, 2018,…

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LDWF Offices Closed to the Public Indefinitely Starting March 17

LA Fisheries Forward

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) offices throughout the state will be closed to the public indefinitely beginning Tuesday, March 17. To alleviate any additional public burden, LDWF is providing the public alternatives to process applications via mail, email and online. The summary below provides more information about how…

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LA Commercial Fishing Licenses & Trip Ticket Training at Field Offices

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

For a limited time, fishermen can get their commercial fishing licenses, and trip ticket training, at the following field offices/dates: November 19 – 21, 2019 8 am – 3:30 pm LDWF Bourg Office 468 Texas Gulf Road, Bourg, LA December 3 – 5, 2019 8 am – 3:30 pm LDWF…

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LDWF Commercial Fishing Licenses To Be Available At Field Offices

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will offer new and renewals of commercial fishing licenses and motorboat registration from the following locations: Bourg Office April 23-25, 2019 467 Texas Gulf Road Bourg, LA 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. New Orleans Office April 30-May 2, 2019 2045 Lakeshore Drive Suite…

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Gulf Council August Update

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Corpus Christi, Texas, August 20-23, 2018. The Council elected Dr. Tom Frazier as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair. The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions: Coral This week, the Council took final action on…

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NOAA Fisheries: New Management Measures in the Gulf Shrimp Fishery

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

KEY MESSAGE: A new rule for Amendment 17B to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan establishes transit provisions for shrimp vessels without a federal permit, specifies a minimum threshold number of Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) shrimp moratorium permits, and identifies a review panel process when that threshold is close to being…

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