Commercial
Fishing for Shallow-Water Grouper Closes in Louisiana Waters
Posted:
12/6/04
The Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a declaration of
emergency at its December 2 meeting to close the commercial
fishery for shallow-water grouper (red, black, gag, yellowfin,
scamp and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind and red
hind), as requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS). NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
requested consistent regulations for Louisiana waters.
Regulations for
the shallow-water grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico include
a commercial quota. Based on reported landings, NMFS closed
the shallow-water grouper commercial fishery in federal waters
off Louisiana, and requested that the Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enact compatible rules.
Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission closed the commercial season
for shallow-water groupers in Louisiana waters from 12:01
a.m. on December 3, 2004, until 12:01 a.m. January 1, 2005.
The commission
also authorized LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau to change
or modify opening and closing dates for commercial shallow-water
grouper seasons in Louisiana waters to comply with changes
or modifications in season dates in federal waters. The commission's
actions ensure that regulations in state waters will mirror
regulations of NMFS for federally managed waters.
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