The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2019 fall inshore shrimp season would close in all state inside waters on Monday, December 16, 2019, at official sunset, except for the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound,…
KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries is sending an end-of-year reminder to ensure IFQ participants are informed about end of year restrictions as well as subsequent start of year information. We are also providing additional information on the IFQ system functions and requirements to ensure participants clearly understand how to participate in…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will again host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup events during the month of February. The Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program was initiated by LDWF in 2004 to address the removal of derelict and abandoned crab traps. Derelict traps increase…
Commercial harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Western Zone will close at 12:00 pm, central time, on November 21, 2019. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 am, central time, on July 1, 2020. WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING: The 2019/2020 commercial Western Zone quota is 1,096,000 pounds. Updated…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of vermilion snapper (a.k.a. beeliner) 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…
For a limited time, fishermen can get their commercial fishing licenses, and trip ticket training, at the following field offices/dates: November 19 – 21, 2019 8 am – 3:30 pm LDWF Bourg Office 468 Texas Gulf Road, Bourg, LA December 3 – 5, 2019 8 am – 3:30 pm LDWF…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a framework action that considers modifying federal for-hire multi-day trip possession limits. The Council recommends allowing anglers on federal for-hire fishing trips that last longer than 30 hours to possess two daily bag or vessel limits at any time…
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…
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…
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….