The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will hold their monthly meeting at 9:30am this Thursday, June 4, at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters in Baton Rouge. Added to the agenda is a report by Jason Adriance, LDWF Marine Fisheries biologist, on the Status of the Commercial Menhaden Fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (agenda item #12).
Each and every predatory fish that sports anglers target along the northern Gulf Coast feed on menhaden (pogies) at some stage. In some estuaries, it’s the most important feed source for redfish, speckled trout, spanish mackeral, flounder, jack crevalle, and several others.
Equally of concern is the bycatch. The methods used to harvest menhaden often lead to the demise of thousands of bull reds (spawning stock). There is grave concern among a large number of Louisiana fly fishing guides that continuation of harmful commercial fishing practices may negatively impact gamefish.
Due to health guidelines set in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 25 members of the public will be allowed to attend the meeting. However, a live video stream of the meeting is available via ZOOM app.
To attend via Zoom webinar, click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar.
We strongly encourage all FFI members to attend via webinar (if not in person) and to send comments by email via comments@wlf.la.gov. The email must include the agenda item # (for menhaden, it’s #12) in the email subject, and your name and address in the email body before your comments. Here is an example:
Subject: Status of Menhaden Fishery in GOM #12
Body:
Jonathon Smith
123 Green Forest Rd, Chicotville, LA
I believe menhaden are overfished in the Gulf of Mexico, and there is too much bycatch that harms other fisheries of greater value.
Email comments must be received PRIOR to the meeting and no later than Wednesday midnight.
