The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind
shrimpers that the final application deadline for new federal
shrimp moratorium permits is Oct. 26, 2007. However, federal
regulations require these new permits be onboard vessels fishing
for Gulf of Mexico shrimp in federal waters beginning on March
26, 2007.
Current
federal open-access shrimp permits are valid to the expiration
date printed on the permit or March 25, 2007, whichever comes
first.
The National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) presented information on how
to apply for the new permits at a series of recent meetings
held in Biloxi, MS, Metairie, LA, Port Arthur, TX, Brownsville,
TX and Palacios, TX.
Due to
low fishermen turnout at the Nov. 28 Metairie meeting, LDWF
is concerned that many fishermen who shrimp in Gulf of Mexico
federal waters may be unaware of the new permit requirements,
qualifying criteria and application process.
Using
permit histories of current federal open-access permit holders,
the NMFS is planning to send application packages to those
who appear to meet the eligibility requirements for the new
moratorium permit.
Interested
persons may contact the NMFS Southeast Region Permits Office
at 727-824-5326 to receive additional information and request
application packets. Permit applications and forms (Basis
of Eligibility for the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Moratorium and
Gulf Shrimp Vessel and Gear Characterization), which must
be submitted with applications are also available on the NMFS
Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/permits.htm.
In an
effort to assist these shrimpers, LDWF is making packets containing
federal shrimp moratorium permit application forms and instructions
available at their Baton Rouge, Bourg, New Iberia and Lake
Charles offices.
