The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that effective March 13 at 11:30 p.m., commercial fishing for large coastal sharks will close in Louisiana waters. This closure is in conjunction with the National Marine Fisheries Service, commercial fishing for large coastal sharks in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close on March 13, 2018.  The season will remain closed in state and federal waters until January 1, 2019, when the season is scheduled to reopen.

During the closed season, all commercial harvest, possession, purchase, exchange, barter, trade, sale or attempt to purchase, exchange, barter, trade or sell large coastal sharks or their fins is prohibited.

Vessels that have been issued or that possess a federal shark research permit may continue to operate under the conditions of that permit, which includes the presence of designated NOAA Fisheries observers aboard the vessel for the duration of the trip, until the quota for the federal shark research fishery is achieved.

LDWF reminds all recreational anglers and commercial harvesters that Louisiana waters are closed for the harvest of all sharks from April through June. The season for the commercial harvest of small coastal sharks in Louisiana waters will resume on July 1, 2018, after the seasonal closure ends.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.