LA Fisheries Forward

Recreational Red Snapper and Gray Triggerfish Seasons Closed

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gray triggerfish

The state recreational red snapper season closed at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2018, and the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish closed in Louisiana waters at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2018.  

Preliminary estimates from the LA Creel survey indicate that the State’s quota of 743,000 pounds of red snapper for the private sector of the recreational fishery is projected to be harvested by August 12, 2018.  The Secretary of the Department has the authority to re-open the recreational season if finalized landings data indicate such harvest would be within the quota allowed under the Federal Exempted Fishing Permit.

This year, state and federal seasons are running concurrently because federal fisheries managers approved LDWF’s application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to manage the private recreational snapper season in state and federal waters in 2018 and 2019. Under the EFP, participating anglers are allowed to fish red snapper in the state territorial seas and adjoining federal waters, from shore to 200 nautical miles.

NOAA Fisheries has determined the Gulf-wide recreational annual catch target of 217,100 pounds of gray triggerfish has been met, and announced a closure in Federal waters to prevent overfishing. The closure in Louisiana state waters provides consistency with federal regulations and assists with enforcement.   The season is scheduled to re-open on March 1, 2019.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet was authorized by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in previously promulgated rules to change or modify the opening and closing dates for any recreational reef fish season in Louisiana waters when notified of a modification to a season by NOAA Fisheries.

For more information, contact Jason Adriance at (504) 284-2032 or [email protected].

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.