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…
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…
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. …
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks will increase from 45 to 55 per day effective immediately. The large coastal shark group includes great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark,…
At its August monthly meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2019-20 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry. The following dates were set for…
The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) near real-time data collection program, is 530,940 pounds, or 65 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This estimate covers the period through July 21. The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s…