A declaration
of emergency regarding the 2008-09 commercial fishing seasons
for reef fish was issued by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission at the Jan. 8 2008 meeting, as recommended by the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
The commercial
fishing seasons for all reef fish species listed in LAC 76:VII.335,
"Reef Fish – Harvest Regulations" continue
to remain open as of Jan. 1 of each year unless otherwise
provided for in LAC 76:VII.335 or LAC 76:VII.337, or as a
result of actions by the LDWF Secretary. These commercial
fishing seasons include closed seasons for some species and
species groups as listed in LAC 76:VII.335 and in LAC 76:VII.337,
including prohibition on harvest of goliath and Nassau groupers.
In addition, the
commission authorized the LDWF Secretary to close the season
for the commercial harvest of any species or group of species
of reef fish in Louisiana state waters if he is informed by
the regional administrator of NMFS that the applicable commercial
quota has been harvested in the Gulf of Mexico, and if he
is requested by NMFS to enact compatible regulations in Louisiana
state waters.
The secretary was
also authorized to re-open and close those commercial seasons
in Louisiana state waters if the commercial season dates in
the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico have been modified,
and that NMFS requests that the season be modified in Louisiana
state waters. Such authority shall extend through Jan. 31,
2009.
The commission's
actions ensure that regulations in state waters will complement
regulations of the National Marine Fisheries Service for federally
managed waters. NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council typically request consistent regulations for Louisiana
waters to enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations.
