Louisiana DWF Launches New Program to Improve the Accuracy of Yellowfin Tuna Landings

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today that a more accurate method of determining Louisiana’s recreational  landings  of yellowfin tuna will go into effect January 1, 2013.  The new method requires anglers and charter captains possessing tunas, billfishes, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, and snappers first obtain an Offshore Landing Permit.  The permit is available at no cost to the public, and can be obtained through the Department’s website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/rolp or through smartphone applications.  The iPhone app can be downloaded free from the App Store by searching for Louisiana Recreational Offshore Landing Permits App.  The Android app can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store by searching for LDWF Rec. Offshore Landing App.  Permits will be available after January 1, 2013.

Anglers who land yellowfin tuna must report that catch prior to offloading the catch.  Reporting can be done through the smartphone application described above or by calling the toll free number 877-792-3440 and responding to the prompts provided.

Charter captains using tags provided by the department must report landings by the 15th of the month following the month in which the yellowfin tuna was landed.

A detailed description of the program and reporting requirements can be found at the department’s website www.wlf.louisiana.gov/rolp or by calling Jason Adriance at (504)-284-2032.

The department will hold three informational workshops explaining reporting requirements and the use of the new technology.  These workshops will be held in the following locations beginning at 5:30 p.m. local time:

January 15, 2013

LDWF Fisheries Research Lab

195 Ludwig Annex

Grand Isle, La 70358

January 16, 2013

Belle Chasse Auditorium

8398 Highway 23

Belle Chasse, La 70037

January 17, 2013

Houma Municipal Auditorium

880 Verret Street

Houma, La 70360

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.