On October 5, 2023, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to establish a one-mile coastwide buffer against industrial-scale netting. The NOI would also increase penalties for fish spills, which negatively impact sensitive coastal habitats.
As part of the required process for regulatory change in Louisiana, the NOI will be open for further public comment and must still pass through state House and Senate Natural Resources Committee review before being finalized in early 2024.
Menhaden are a key prey species for many sportfish, including redfish and tarpon. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust appreciates the recent steps by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to expand protections for menhaden. BTT continues to work with LDWF and our conservation partners, including the Coastal Conservation Association, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the American Sportfishing Association to ensure long-term sustainability of the Louisiana menhaden fishery.
Read the notice and learn more from the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
2937 SW 27th Avenue Suite 203
Miami, FL 33133
