The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) to update the Domesticated Aquatic Organism (DAO) approved species list by adding Eastern Oyster and Brown Trout. In addition to adding these two species, the NOI proposes creating the Molluscan Shellfish permit and the Coldwater Trout permit. This NOI will allow the development of additional aquaculture facilities in Louisiana while providing safeguards to protect native fish species. The addition of Eastern Oyster to the allowed species list will support and enhance Louisiana’s traditional oyster fishery, oyster restoration, and the growing Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) fishery.

Public comment on the NOI will be accepted until July 5, 2022. Comments may be submitted directly to Rob Bourgeois, LDWF Office of Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA., 70898-9000 or via e-mail to [email protected]. For more information, contact Rob Bourgeois at 225-765-0765 or [email protected].