Louisiana Fisheries
Current NewsAbout UsBiological InfoManagement InfoHabitat Info
Louisiana Fisherman Professionalism ProgramAquaculture InfoLegal & Socio-Economic Issues
Fisheries & PeopleResources & PublicationsFisheries FAQsSearch
LSU AgCenter Louisiana Sea Grant Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Fisheries

Home > Current News > 2008

News: 2008

Commission Modifies Rules for Vermilion Snapper and Commercial Red Snapper
Posted: 3/12/08

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued a declaration of emergency and notice of intent to modify the commercial Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) red snapper commercial landing and offloading requirements, to reduce the minimum size for red snapper harvested commercially to 13 inches total length, to modify creel and size limits and to eliminate the commercial closed season for vermilion snapper, at their March 6 2008 meeting, as recommended by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Some of these items were passed by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at their February 2008 meeting, but additional changes were made to provide consistency with new regulations on harvest of red snapper in Federal waters that were part of the Federal Amendment 27 of the Reef Fish Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico. Providing all of the changes as a single packet allows reef fish harvesters a more complete listing of all potential rule changes for their information, and for the general public to comment on as part of the rulemaking process.

At the February meeting, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission took action to reduce the commercial and recreational vermilion snapper minimum size limit from 11 inches to 10 inches total length; the 10 fish recreational bag limit restriction for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit was eliminated; and the 40-day commercial closure for vermilion snapper, which extended from April 22 through May 31 each year, was eliminated.

Also at the February meeting, the Commission established rules, consistent with Federal rules, regarding the landing and offloading of red snapper under commercial IFQ provisions. Commercial red snapper IFQ fishermen can land their vessels anytime during the day and night, provided that a landing notification has been given 3 to 12 hours prior to landing; can only offload red snapper from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and do not need to give law enforcement an offloading notification for red snapper. For the purposes of these regulations, the term “landing” means tying a vessel to a dock. “Offloading” means removing red snapper from a vessel.

At the March meeting, the Commission established rules to reduce the commercial minimum size for red snapper from 15 inches to 13 inches total length.

Also at the March meeting, the Commission established that the recreational red snapper season will open on June 1, 2008, and remain open through September 30, 2008. The recreational bag limit for red snapper shall be 2 fish per person per day during this open season. Captain and crew members shall not harvest or possess red snapper or grouper of any species while operating as charter vessels and headboats as defined in Federal Regulations 50 CFR Part 622.2. Their bag limit is zero for all of these species.

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.

Public comments on the Notice of Intent to modify the permanent rule will be accepted prior to Thursday, May 1, 2008. Comments should be submitted to Harry Blanchet, Marine Fisheries Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 or by e-mail to hblanchet@wlf.louisiana.gov, with "March Reef Fish Notice of Intent" in the subject line.

Back to Main

 


Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Sea Grant LSU AgCenter