State of Louisiana Makes Great Strides for Recreational Anglers

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries 05.28.13

Yesterday, NOAA officials announced a change to Louisiana’s federal red snapper recreational fishing season, which was originally set to run a mere nine days, will now begin on June 1 and remain open through June 24, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per person at a 16-inch minimum total length.

NOAA administrators came to the decision to extend Louisiana’s federal red snapper season based in large part on research conducted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists that proved Louisiana was landing less fish than previously accounted for by NOAA.

“The decision by our federal counterparts to extend the Louisiana federal red snapper season was no doubt based on a combination of good, sound science provided by our biologists and the pressure we have continued to put on them,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “These actions only strengthen our case for regional management. We will continue to show accountability and that we have the best intentions for the resource and our recreational anglers.”

“I am extremely proud of the team of biologists I work with. Because of their dedication to the resource and our local fishermen, NOAA is now working with us, instead of against us,” said LDWF Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. “We still have significant steps to take toward our proposed state-by-state management method.”

Next week LDWF Secretary Robert Barham will officially modify Louisiana’s red snapper season to mirror the federal season. There will also be discussion of the state snapper season at the next Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting set for Thursday, June 6.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.