| There
is some confusion among local oyster harvesters over recent
renewal notices received in the mail. As is customary, the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) sends
out license renewal notices to fishermen involved in seafood
harvesting.
LDWF
began selling oyster seed ground vessel permits on Nov.
17. This new permit was established as an oyster industry
initiative by Act 922 of the 2008 regular legislative session
and will be required by Jan. 1, 2009, for boats harvesting
oysters for commercial purposes from the public oyster seed
grounds or reservations, except those public areas in Calcasieu
and Sabine lakes.
The
permit will be issued in the name of the vessel owner, who
must identify the permitted vessel by the state registration
number or U.S. Coast Guard documented number. Qualifying
criteria for obtaining a permit was outlined by the new
law, and there are three ways a vessel owner can qualify
to purchase a permit:
- Vessels
owners who owned a vessel that was properly licensed and
had trip-ticket recorded oyster landings between Jan.
1, 2004, and May 31, 2007.
-
Vessel owners who purchased or constructed a vessel and
licensed that vessel between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 30,
2008, and that vessel had trip-ticket recorded oyster
landings between the time of construction/purchase and
July 1, 2008.
- Vessel
owner who was/is constructing a vessel and that vessel
is verified as being at least 50 percent complete in its
construction by July 1, 2008.
Permits
are only required for those taking oysters from the public
grounds for commercial purposes. A board is being established
to hear appeals of previously denied permit applications
and appeals based on hardship. Act 922 prohibits LDWF from
accepting new applications for the oyster seed ground vessel
permits after Dec. 31, 2009. The permit is $15 for residents
and $60 for non-residents. The taking of oysters from the
public natural reefs, oyster seed grounds or reservations
without an oyster seed ground vessel permit will result
in a class two violation.
For
more information or applications, contact the licensing
section at 225/765-2898. To review notices of intent passed
by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission relative
to this permit, visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/education/commissionactions.
Back
to Main |
