Oyster

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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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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The Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Conserve our Nation’s Waters

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.  The Executive Order aims to place the climate crisis at the forefront of the Nation’s foreign policy and national security planning. Section 216 of the Executive Order: Conserving our Nation’s Land…

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90-Day Public Comment Period for Phase 0 Oyster Lease Applications Ends May 4

photo of three oyster boats in Gulf waters

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will conclude a 90-day public comment period for Phase 0 oyster lease applications on Tuesday, May 4. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission established the public comment period to bring transparency to the leasing process and provide coastal landowners with an opportunity…

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Severe Weather Halts Production at the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery

tanks for oyster larvae at Sea Grant hatchery in Grand Isle

The Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery sustained some minor damage due to the severe weather that moved through the Grand Isle area on Tuesday, April 13th.  Oyster larvae production at the hatchery will be delayed until repairs can be made and utility services restored.  The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and…

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NOI to Restrict All Oyster Harvest On Four Proposed Broodstock Reefs

oyster shells

Today,  the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a Notice of Intent (NOI) to add four proposed recreational oyster broodstock reefs to Louisiana Administrative Code (LAC) 76:VII.537, which restricts all oyster harvest on reefs listed under that rule.  The Department plans to construct all four reefs using oyster cultch material by…

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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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