LDWF Also Announces Modifications to Recreational Fishing Areas in Correspondence with FDA Testing
Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has ordered an emergency reopening of commercial fishing areas that were previously closed due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Commercial fishing will reopen for finfish and shrimp in portions of state waters in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes effective immediately today, Saturday, August 14.
With today's actions, adjustments were made to the areas closed to recreational fishing west of Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River. Those areas closed to commercial fishing now match the areas closed to recreational fishing. LDWF made these adjustments to align with areas reopened based on FDA testing and to allow LDWF enforcement agents to better monitor closed areas.
LDWF Secretary Robert Barham ordered these re-openings following the completion of comprehensive testing by the FDA. The FDA advised that following extensive sensory testing and analytical chemistry results, the seafood samples tested from previously closed areas are safe for consumption.
NOTE: Shrimpers are reminded that the fall inshore shrimp season begins on Monday, August 16 at 6 AM
These openings do not include the commercial harvest of crabs and oysters. The FDA testing method for crabs takes significantly longer to process, as such LDWF Secretary Barham chose a phased approach for opening commercial fishing. While LDWF continues to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to ensure the safety of Louisiana's seafood, these openings do not include the commercial harvest of oysters, as this activity is regulated by DHH.
All commercial and recreational closures east of Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River remain unchanged.
See below for maps detailing these new openings and fall shrimp season openings:
Commercial Fishing Reopening in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes
All state inside and outside waters from the western shore of Bayou Lafourche westward to the eastern shore of Oyster Bayou at 91 degrees 07 minutes 48 seconds west longitude will open to commercial fishing excluding the harvest of crabs and oysters effective Saturday, August 14, except in the following areas which will remain closed to commercial and recreational fishing until further notice due to continued presence of oil:
The portion of state inside waters north of 29 degrees 09 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 12 minutes 50 seconds north latitude from the western shore of Bayou Lafourche westward to 90 degrees 17 minutes 50 seconds west longitude, and
The portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 03 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 09 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 90 degrees 13 minutes 30 seconds west longitude and the western shore of Bayou Lafourche westward to 90 degrees 34 minutes 00 seconds west longitude, and
The portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 02 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 05 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 90 degrees 37 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 90 degrees 58 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
Commercial Fishing Reopening in Plaquemines, Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes
All state inside and outside waters from the western shore of Southwest Pass at the Mississippi River and 89 degrees 25 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to the western shore of Bayou Lafourche will open to commercial fishing excluding the harvest of crabs and oysters effective Saturday, August 14, except in the following areas which will remain closed to commercial and recreational fishing until further notice due to continued presence of oil:
The portion of state inside waters north of 29 degrees 23 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 50 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to the eastern shore of the Barataria Waterway, and
The portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 22 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 89 degrees 52 minutes 00 seconds west longitude, and
The portion of state inside and outside waters bounded by the following coordinates:
- 29 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 13 minutes 40 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 33 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds west longitude
The portion of state inside and outside waters bounded by the following coordinates:
- 29 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 52 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 21 minutes 00 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 52 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 15 minutes 40 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 56 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
- 29 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds north latitude
89 degrees 57 minutes 30 sec! onds west longitude
The portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 08 minutes 15 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 11 minutes 40 seconds north latitude from 90 degrees 03 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 90 degrees 07 minutes 00 seconds west longitude
To report a suspected oiled catch to LDWF you are encouraged to call 1-866-577-1401. Please be prepared to give your name, fishing license number and coordinates of suspected oil. All claims are taken very seriously, and any person found falsifying claims will be dealt with to the full extent the law allows.
