This Thursday, November 5th, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will consider a notice of intent to establish an exclusion zone for commercial menhaden fishing at their monthly meeting in Baton Rouge. Meeting time is 9:30am.
Agenda Item #9 reads “Receive and Consider a Notice of Intent to Establish an Exclusion Zone for Commercial Menhaden Fishing – by Commissioner Chad Courville with Supplemental Information Presented by Jason Adriance, Marine Fisheries Biologist”. The proposal being put forth is a one-mile exclusion zone for commercial harvesting from the Louisiana coastline.
These small, oily baitfish are of significant importance to anglers, even if they aren’t a target species. That’s because they’re an essential food source for most gamefish in the Gulf and Atlantic waters, as well as whales, dolphins, and other marine species. They’re also a highly valuable commercial species. Billions of menhaden each year are processed into fish oil, fish meal, fertilizers, cosmetics and other products.
In recent years, menhaden harvest has increased and created conflicts with recreational anglers, as well as put gamefish species at risk. Thousands of spawning size red drum each year are killed as a result of bycatch. And according to some researchers, the nearshore harvest of menhaden may be responsible for a decrease in the total biomass of red drum and spotted seatrout – as much as fifty percent!
While a one-mile zone is certainly better than the status quo, the FFI Gulf Coast Council would prefer to see it extended to 2 or even 3 miles. The reason is that large numbers of nearshore spotted seatrout and red drum that depend on menhaden often exist beyond the one-mile boundary. Extending the boundary would not only reduce the bycatch of red drum, but perhaps offset the need for drastic limit changes in speckled trout.
Participation
Due to the public health emergency guidelines established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 40 members of the public will be allowed in the meeting room. However, the meeting will be broadcast via Zoom.
To attend via webinar, first register at:
https://wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_k_8aD3IYQAyi4nTeqwpYKA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Public Input
The GCC strongly encourages it’s Louisiana members to speak up on this item! While attending and speaking in person may not be likely, the public can send comments to the Commission in advance of the meeting. Please email to Comments@wlf.la.gov by 5:00pm, Wednesday, November 4th. Your email must include the agenda item # (9) in the subject of your email. The body of your message should include your name and address before your comment.
No comments will be accepted via webinar.
