News

In-Person and Virtual Participation Instructions for the August 2021 Council Meeting

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting August 23-26, 2021. The meeting agenda and briefing materials are available on the Council meeting webpage. Both in-person and virtual attendees are welcome to join the meeting. The public will have two opportunities to…

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SEFHIER Validation Survey to Start in September for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

LDWF staff holding a cobra on boat

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind those charter, headboat, and dually-permitted vessels that have a federal Gulf Charter Vessel /Headboat permit for Reef Fish or a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (for-hire vessel) that the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER) validation…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

map of four crab trap closures in 2022

Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has successfully removed and disposed of over 50,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps together with individual volunteers and organizations. The removal of these crab traps is critical to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts. Due to Covid-19, LDWF did not…

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LDWF Announces Opening Dates for 2021 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

raw Louisiana shrimp

Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season based on information provided by biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), input from the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, and public comments. Season openings are as follows: From the Mississippi/Louisiana…

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LDWF Extends public comment period on draft ‘Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan’ to August 15

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish.  The economic impact to the…

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Seafood HACCP and Sanitation Courses for Processors

Worker picking crab meat in processing facility

LSU AgCenter’s School of Food Sciences is offering two Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) related workshops for seafood dealers—specifically processors, packers, wholesalers, importers, harvesters and warehouses. Both courses will be held at LSU’s Efferson Hall, at the corner of Highland Rd. and E. Parker Blvd.; advance registration is required and…

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June 2021 Council Meeting Summary

Gray triggerfish swimming along sea bottom

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Key West, Florida from June 21-25, 2021. Red Grouper The Council took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 53: Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets. The most recent red grouper stock assessment (SEDAR 61) included information through 2017…

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Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits Increase in the Gulf of Mexico

gray triggerfish

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This rule increases the gray triggerfish catch limits for the commercial and recreational sectors. When Rule Will Take Effect: Regulations will be effective July 29, 2021. What This Means: The gray triggerfish total catch limit…

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