News

NOI to Remove Buoy Requirements from Freshwater Gill and Trammel Nets

hands of fisherman sorting freshwater fish such as shad and catfish in boat

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) today to remove the requirement of using international orange buoys to mark gill and trammel nets in fresh water.  The buoy requirement language was carried over to freshwater gear from the saltwater marking rule, and is being removed…

Read More

Extension of Emergency Measures Modify the Greater Amberjack Recreational Fixed Closed Season

greater amberjack

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces the extension of regulations to reduce the recreational harvest of greater amberjack. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council agreed NOAA Fisheries should extend emergency action while they develop long-term management measures to rebuild the greater amberjack population. How Long is the Emergency Rule Effective: The…

Read More

Shrimp Season to Close December 19 in Portions of State Waters

map of Louisiana coast illustrating areas to close December 19, 2022

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the 2022 fall inshore shrimp season will close in all state inside waters on Monday, December 19, 2022, at official sunset, except for the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River: Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi…

Read More

Final Rule to Revise the Gulf Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits

king mackerel swimming

Key Messages: NOAA Fisheries announces implementation of the final rule for Framework Amendment 11 under the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. This rule modifies Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group king mackerel catch limits.   When Rule Will Take Effect: Regulations…

Read More

Commercial Large Coastal Sharks Possession Limit Increases to 55 Sharks

blacktip shark

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the daily possession limit for commercially harvested large coastal sharks (great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, silky shark, spinner shark, and tiger shark) is increasing from 45 to 55 per…

Read More

Final Rule to Implement Two Framework Actions for Gulf Red Snapper

red snapper

Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will implement two framework actions under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to Data Calibrations (Data Calibrations Framework) and Annual Catch Limits (Catch Limits Framework) for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Red Snapper….

Read More

Second Round Alternative Oyster Culture Grant Recipients Announced

shucked cage grown oyster in gloved hand

The second round of Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) grants, totaling $465,000, have been announced. Thirteen grants were awarded to: Ryan Anderson, for a grow-out farm Albert Besson, dba Barataria Beauties Oyster Company, for a grow-out farm Michael “Laine” Fontenot, Gulf of Mexico Tuna Company, for a grow-out farm Khai Dang,…

Read More

Lane Snapper Harvest in Federal Waters of the Gulf Closes on November 15, 2022

fishing rods on a boat

What/When/Where: Commercial and recreational harvest of lane snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022. Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2023.   Why This Closure Is Happening: The 2022 stock annual…

Read More

Oyster Harvest Closes in a Portion of the Public Oyster Seed Grounds East of the Mississipi

hands holding single oyster, with oysters in background

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will close oyster harvest in a portion of the public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River, in St. Bernard Parish, at one half-hour after sunset on Sunday, November 13, 2022. The portions of the public oyster seed grounds to be…

Read More

October 2022 Council Meeting Summary

gray triggerfish

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Biloxi, Mississippi, on October 24-27, 2022. The meeting began with the Council populating its’ Council Committees through August 2023. NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit provided remarks to the Council and stakeholders on agency priorities. Additionally, the Council heard presentations on the Joint Council Workgroup…

Read More