News

LDWF main office, other locations, close Monday Aug 24

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries main office in Baton Rouge will be closed Monday due to the threat associated with Hurricanes Marco and Laura. The closings of state agencies were ordered by the Division of Administration. LDWF offices along with other state offices in the following parishes will…

Read More

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…

Read More

LDWF Announces Opening Date for the Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

silhouette of trawl arm and net on shrimp boat in water

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 state…

Read More

Modifications to Charter Vessel and Headboat Electronic Reporting Requirements

saltwater fish caught on charter trip hanging on sign

NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to modify reporting requirements for the owners or operators of vessels with Charter Vessel/Headboat federal permits for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish or Gulf coastal migratory pelagics. WHEN THE RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT: The final rule will be effective on January 5,…

Read More

Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15

shrimp boat in Gulf of Mexico at dusk

NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will open to shrimp trawling beginning 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on July 15, 2020, corresponding to the time Texas opens its waters to shrimp trawling. WHY THIS IS HAPPENING: The waters off Texas are closed to shrimp…

Read More

LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 6 in a Portion of State Inside Waters

Map showing waters closed to inshore shrimping July 6, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020, in all remaining inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line.  This closure includes the Louisiana portion of Mississippi Sound as…

Read More

Gulf Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Reduce Burdens on Domestic Fishing

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. The Executive Order aims to improve the competitiveness of our domestic seafood industry, put more Americans to work, and place more sustainably sourced and safe-to-eat seafood products on our families’ tables….

Read More

LA Inshore Shrimp Season to Close July 1, 2020 in a Portion State Inside Waters

Map of shrimp closing areas July 1, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2020 spring inshore shrimp season will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River except for: the open waters of the Louisiana portion…

Read More

June 2020 Council Update

hooks on a basket

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually June 15 – 18, 2020.  The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished. Fishing Access and Possession Allowances in Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a document…

Read More