News

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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LDWF Artificial Reef Program’s Master Plan Addresses Loss of Shallow-water Platforms Along LA Coast

tarpon swimming around submerged pipes

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Jack Montoucet have announced the LDWF’s Artificial Reef Program will help Louisiana anglers by preserving offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico where oil and gas platforms in less than 100 feet of water are being removed….

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Continuation of Reductions in Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Catch Levels

fishing rods on a boat

KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that continues reductions in the Gulf of Mexico red grouper commercial and recreational annual catch limits and associated annual catch targets put in place through an emergency action requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The emergency action reduced…

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Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Solicits Participants for 2020

hooks on a basket

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is pleased to announce the eighth offering of the Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) in the Southeast fishery region. MREP provides fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries with an opportunity to gain insight into how fisheries data are collected and how those data…

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LDWF Data Updates Loss of Aquatic Resources from Historic 2019 Flooding

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The lingering effects of the 2019 record floodwaters on Louisiana’s aquatic life continue to be measured by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  The Mississippi River remained above flood stage for a historic length of time, with records dating back to 1900.  Additionally, local rainfall also impacted other drainages. …

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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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Reminder of Current Blue Crab Harvest Regulations

crab traps floating in water

At its September 6, 2018 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to change regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs in 2019.  The rule prohibits the recreational and commercial take and/or possession of female blue crab for a 35-day period beginning…

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August 2019 Council Update

reef fish swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 12-15, 2019.  The Council re-elected Dr. Tom Frazer as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair.  The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions:   Recreational For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target Buffer…

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Recommended Reduced Annual Catch Target Buffer for Federal For-Hire Red Snapper

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to reduce the buffer between the annual catch limit and the annual catch target for federal for-hire red snapper to 9%. The buffer is in place to account for management uncertainty. Seasons are set based on the annual catch target…

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