News

January 2023 Council Meeting Summary

gray triggerfish

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from January 30 – February 2, 2023. The Council heard a presentation on the Return ‘Em Right project and received and update from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr….

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Second Round Alternative Oyster Culture Grant Recipients Announced

shucked cage grown oyster in gloved hand

The second round of Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grants, totaling $465,000, have been announced. Thirteen grants were awarded to: Ryan Anderson, for a grow-out farm Albert Besson, dba Barataria Beauties Oyster Company, for a grow-out farm Michael “Laine” Fontenot, Gulf of Mexico Tuna Company, for a grow-out farm Khai Dang,…

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New Cameron Alternative Oyster Culture Park under Development, Now Accepting Grow-out Farm Applicants

LA Fisheries Forward caged oysters

The Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District has been selected for an Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grant in the amount of $100,000 to establish a new, 48-acre oyster Park at the southern end of Calcasieu Lake. The Port Commission recently approved the establishment of said Park and encourages potential…

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Second Round of Alternative Oyster Culture Grant Applications Open Now

oyster farm at Sea Grant hatchery

The second round of Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grant applications will open May 6, 2022; the closing deadline for grow-out and nurseries is June 9 and for parks and hatcheries July 7. Applications can be found at www.laseafoodfuture.com/aoc, as well as a press release announcing the applicants selected in the first…

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NIOSH Fishing Survey Inquiry

shrimp boat in Gulf of Mexico at dusk

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working on a research project with commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically about the commercial fishing experience and fishing equipment used on the boat. We are looking to hear from professionals and key stakeholders, who are knowledgeable about…

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Completion Of Four Oyster Broodstock Reefs In Plaquemines And St. Bernard Parishes

hands holding single oyster, with oysters in background

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has completed construction of four reefs located at Petit Pass, Karako Bay, Lake Machias, and Mozambique Point in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. Approximately 5,000 cubic yards of limestone was placed within each 10-acre site for a total of about 20,000 cubic…

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New Commercial Fishing Licenses Now Available

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that several changes made to Commercial License in the 2021 Legislative Session go into effect today (Nov. 15, 2021). Some of the new licenses include: The Freshwater Charter Guide License – Louisiana freshwater charter guides will be required to have a…

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LDWF, LSU conducting hurricane damage survey for commercial seafood industry

NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ida, August 28, 2021

Was your marine fisheries/seafood business affected by Hurricane Ida, Laura, Delta or Zeta?  Whether those impacts were large or small, we want to hear from you! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has teamed up with LSU to develop a survey of commercial business losses from these storms.  Please…

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LDWF Warns Public of Potential Fish Kills Due to Hurricane Ida

Close up of redfish face

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) says it will investigate each one of the substantial fish kills it predicts throughout southeast Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane-related fish kills are generally caused by low dissolved oxygen (DO), and can occur from landfall of the storm until weeks after the…

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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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