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…
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…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is required to make public notice regarding the nonpayment of fees related to oyster leases on both its website and in the official journal of the parish in which the delinquent lease is located. As per Louisiana Revised Statute 56:429, any lessee who…
The commercial fishing industry in Louisiana has experienced changes within its demographics. Specifically, issues include aging of the fleet, (i.e., an increase in the average age of fishing vessels over time) and the graying of the fleet (i.e., an increase over time in the average age of fishing workers). While…
From United States Coast Guard: Its 5:00 in the evening, you walk out to your back deck to take a look at your GPS, and as you go to sit down on your chair your feet come out from under you. The next thing you know you are in the water…
The Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant Oil Spill Science team has produced new resources for the public: Oil on the water: Insights into oil spill response—This new publication details some of the cleanup tools and techniques emergency responders use after an oil spill to protect people and natural resources. To…
Sponsored by LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Sea Grant, Virginia Tech and Virginia Sea Grant Training in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is mandated for seafood processors, packers, wholesales, importers, harvesters and warehouses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Seafood HACCP courses teach the principles of HACCP and empower…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the public comment period to December 11 for its draft of the “Louisiana Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan.” The original deadline was December 4. LDWF is seeking public comment from all coastal stakeholders. The 2019 oyster stock assessment indicates that Louisiana…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all coastal stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana Oyster Management and Rehabilitation Strategic Plan.” The LDWF Office of Fisheries is responsible for the protection, conservation and replenishment of Louisiana’s renewable, aquatic natural resources, including Louisiana oysters. In the…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that the daily take and possession limit of oysters shall not exceed 10 sacks in Calcasieu Lake Public Oyster Area effective one half hour after sunrise next Friday (Oct. 30, 2020). Biological data collected post hurricanes Laura and Delta have…