Sustainability

Gov. Edwards announces program to help Louisiana shrimpers

raised TEDs and nets

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today a $250,000 program that will pay part of the cost shrimp fishermen will have to pay for mandated devices to protect sea turtles and other animals from getting trapped in their nets. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will operate the Skimmer Turtle…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

People returning derlict crab traps

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), together with individual volunteers and organizations, has successfully removed and disposed of over 45,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps. The removal of these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Last year, LDWF, Lake Pontchartrain…

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LDWF Asks Saltwater Anglers to Complete Web-Based Survey on Spotted Seatrout Management

two men fishing out of boat on Big Lake

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana State University and Louisiana Sea Grant have released a survey to gather public input on spotted seatrout management options. This survey is an additional effort to collect public input on these options; we also conducted eight statewide public meetings earlier this…

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LDWF to release Inshore and Nearshore Artificial Reef RFIQ from Qualified Non-profit Organizations

shrimp boat at sea

The Artificial Reef Program (Program) is responsible for the planning, siting, material selection, permitting, and monitoring oversight of inshore artificial reef development. Inshore reefs are those artificial reefs developed solely in Louisiana state waters between the Louisiana Intracoastal Waterway and the Louisiana coastline and within Lake Pontchartrain. Nearshore waters are…

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2020 Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Events; Volunteers Needed

pelicans watching LDWF agent handle trap

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will again host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup events during the month of February. The Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program was initiated by LDWF in 2004 to address the removal of derelict and abandoned crab traps.  Derelict traps increase…

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New Phone Numbers Available For Sea Turtle And Marine Mammal Strandings

turtle excluder device with turtle escaping

New phone numbers to report sea turtle and marine mammal strandings in Louisiana are now available. The public is encouraged to report strandings as soon as possible with as much information, such as photos and GPS location, as can be obtained to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at…

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Louisiana’s Seafood Future Releases 2019 Findings Report on Fishing Industry and Coastal Change

shorebirds and pelican in shallow water at Grand Isle

Louisiana’s Seafood Future released a report that summarizes a year of outreach to the Louisiana seafood industry. The report’s findings draw on public meetings with and surveys completed by seafood industry members in the last year. Governor John Bel Edwards spurred this effort in early 2018, when he asked the…

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Gulf Council Asks for Information on King Mackerel

king mackerel swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of king mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about trends or “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. A scientific stock assessment of king mackerel…

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