Issues from leisure fishermen in regards to the adverse impacts to Louisiana’s fisheries assets by the industrial menhaden business, together with potential impacts to delicate coastal estuaries, have been the topic of fierce debate for a while. Much like the gill web battle within the 1990’s, consumer battle points between the leisure fishing group and the industrial menhaden business have reached some extent of crucial concern.
In 2024, in response to public opposition, the Wildlife and Fisheries Fee thought of a Discover of Intent (NOI) that will have imposed new rules on the industrial menhaden fishing business that included a 1-mile coastwide buffer, a 3-mile buffer round Holly Seashore and Rutherford Seashore in Southwest Louisiana and included new reporting and clean-up necessities within the occasion of intentional or unintentional spills. The proposed rules had been celebrated by the leisure fishing group however met with stiff resistance from the menhaden business.
Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) supported the proposed NOI and urged the Fee to vote to ascertain the 1-mile buffer in addition to commit to making sure satisfactory enforcement.
Finally, the unique NOI was amended and referred to as for a ½ mile coastwide buffer, a one-mile buffer round Holly Seashore and Rutherford Seashore in southwest Louisiana and a 3-mile buffer across the Grand Isle space. It additionally imposed new reporting and clean-up rules for intentional and unintentional fish spills and tools malfunctions. The brand new reporting guidelines had been a holdover from the unique NOI. The amended NOI was unanimously authorized by the Fee, they usually allowed the brand new rules to enter impact instantly to make sure the business started following the brand new guidelines when the 2024 industrial menhaden fishing season started on April 15, 2024. The authorized NOI was not what the Louisiana Wildlife Federation had hoped for however was thought of a step in the suitable path, and the Federation supported the compromise.
Now, barely eighteen months after that compromise, the Wildlife and Fisheries Fee, at their October assembly, directed the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries to work with the menhaden fishing business to craft and submit a brand new Discover of Intent for the November 2025 Fee assembly. Whereas no specifics had been supplied by the Fee as to the necessity for an additional NOI, we are going to presume that the menhaden fishing business is searching for to cut back or rescind the not too long ago agreed to ½ mile buffer restrictions.
LWF stays in step with our 2024 place and continues to advocate for the unique 1-mile coastwide buffer and a 3-mile buffer round Holly Seashore and Rutherford Seashore in Southwest Louisiana and Grand Isle. Moreover, the Federation helps a 1-mile outdoors and 3-mile inside buffer zone across the Chandeleur Islands, an space of crucial significance to fish species such because the Atlantic Tarpon, protected sea turtles, and the endangered marine seagrass ecosystem.
The safety of Louisiana’s marine assets and entry to high quality fishing alternatives for Louisiana residents is necessary. If Louisiana is contemplating adjustments to a buffer zone, we urge the Commissioners to ascertain the one-mile and three-mile buffers in addition to a dedication to making sure satisfactory enforcement. We additionally encourage the Fee and the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries to proceed to look at menhaden harvest off Louisiana’s coast, not simply from a by-catch perspective, however from a extra complete strategy that balances the distinct consumer group conflicts. This consists of folks having fun with our seashores and anglers in near-shore areas alongside our coast.
Different Gulf states, together with neighboring Mississippi, which additionally permits discount fishing, have established buffers close to delicate areas like seashores and barrier islands and in areas the place consumer conflicts are best. Texas has established buffer zones as properly close to passes and barrier islands the place menhaden harvest is prohibited. We imagine an identical step is required in Louisiana to guard fisheries assets, assist preserve the integrity of seashores, barrier islands, and marshes and restrict the adverse encounters between Louisiana anglers and enterprise house owners and industrial menhaden fishing vessels.
You may submit your written feedback to assist a one-mile buffer zone for menhaden fishing to feedback@wlf.la.gov
You may present as much as voice your feedback to assist a one-mile menhaden buffer zone on the Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 9:30 AM LWFC assembly. LDWF Headquarters- Joe L. Herring Room, 2000 Quail Highway, Baton Rouge, La., 70808
For extra info or questions, contact LWF Advocacy Supervisor Rick Owens at rick@lawildlifefed.org.
