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…
The Lake Borgne, Grand Banks, West Karako Bay, and Cabbage Reef artificial reef sites were established in April 2020. Buoys were placed at each reef site at the time of deployment but are currently missing. LDWF is working to replace the buoys on these reefs and reminds shrimpers to be…
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has set the opening dates for the state inshore waters based on information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists and public comments. The Commission action sets the opening date of the spring inshore shrimp season as follows: All Louisiana inshore…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island westward to the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal shall reopen to shrimping at 6:00 a.m. on May 10, 2021. The closure area is defined as…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants for its Standing and Special Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). Current members must reapply to be considered for future membership. The Council has one standing and eight special Scientific and Statistical Committees comprised of individuals who have expertise in stock…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds shrimpers who are actively participating in rescue or recovery efforts related to the sunken Seacor Power lift boat in both state and federal waters that turtle excluder devices (TEDs) must be completely removed and nets must have a tail bag that…
NOAA Fisheries is delaying the effective date of the final rule amending the definition of tow time and requiring the use of TEDs designed to exclude small sea turtles in their nets in skimmer trawls 40 feet in length and greater in the Southeastern U.S. shrimp fisheries until August 1,…
The 14 additional reefs and banks are officially part of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). As of March 22, 2021, FGBNMS encompasses 17 reefs and banks located approximately 80-125 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. These banks are a combination of small underwater mountains, ridges, troughs, and…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between Calliou Boca and the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island shall reopen to shrimping at 6:00 p.m. on March 26, 2021. The closure area is defined as follows: The eastern boundary line originates…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled additional required webinars for shrimpers who would like to receive Turtle Excluder Device reimbursement funds. On April 1, 2021, skimmer vessels 40 feet in length and over will be required by federal law to install turtle excluder devices (TEDs). The…