NOAA Fisheries

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

raised TEDs and nets

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the Skimmer Turtle Excluder Device Reimbursement Program (STEDRP), which will reimburse up to 60 percent of the cost for two skimmer TEDs. The goal of the Louisiana cost-share program is to provide financial relief to fishermen who need to purchase…

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Commercial and Recreational Closure of Mid-water Snapper in Federal Waters

fishing rods on a boat

What/When: Commercial and recreational harvest of mid-water snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 am, local time, on September 18, 2021. The mid-water snapper complex consists of blackfin snapper, queen snapper, silk snapper and wenchmen. Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen January 1, 2022. Why This…

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NOAA: Modifications to Vessel Monitoring System Reporting Requirements for Gulf Charter and Headboat Vessels

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will establish Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) reporting requirements for Charter and Headboat Vessels with Gulf reef fish and Gulf coastal migratory pelagic federal permits. Regulations will be effective December 13, 2021. What This Means: The vessel owners or operators must install NOAA Fisheries…

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August 2021 Council Meeting Summary

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in San Antonio, Texas from August 23-26.  The meeting began with the induction of re-appointed members Susan Boggs, Jonathan ‘JD’ Dugas, and Dale A. Diaz. Bob Gill and Billy Broussard were inducted as new members.  These members are appointed to serve on…

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SEFHIER Validation Survey to Start in September for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind those charter, headboat, and dually-permitted vessels that have a federal Gulf Charter Vessel /Headboat permit for Reef Fish or a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (for-hire vessel) that the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER) validation…

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LDWF Extends public comment period on draft ‘Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan’ to August 15

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

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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Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits Increase in the Gulf of Mexico

gray triggerfish

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This rule increases the gray triggerfish catch limits for the commercial and recreational sectors. When Rule Will Take Effect: Regulations will be effective July 29, 2021. What This Means: The gray triggerfish total catch limit…

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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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Changes to the Cellular Electronic Logbook Program for GOM Shrimp Permit Holders

shrimp boat

NOAA Fisheries is working to improve the quality of information available for the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. This bulletin provides federal shrimp permit holders with an overview of the new changes occurring with the Cellular Electronic Logbook Program. Having appropriate and current data enables the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management…

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NOAA Fisheries Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Account Set-Up and Reporting

school of tuna in blue water

This is a reminder: fishermen with Federal Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic/Atlantic For-Hire charter/headboat permits are required to comply with the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting program. Fishermen with these permits are required to create an account and begin reporting electronically through one of the approved reporting applications. More Information: Fishermen…

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