Commercial
fishing for large coastal sharks, as defined by Louisiana
rule (L.A.C. 76:VII.357), closes in Louisiana waters at 11:30
p.m. on July 31, 2006, and the closure will remain in effect
until 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1, 2006. Federal waters of the Gulf
of Mexico will also be closed for commercial harvest of large
coastal sharks during the same time period.
Upon closure of this season on July 31, all commercial harvest,
possession, purchase, exchange, barter, trade, sale or attempt
to purchase, exchange, barter, trade or sell large coastal
sharks or their fins is prohibited through 12:01 a.m. Sept.
1, 2006.
The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries made the decision after
publication by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
in the Federal Register that the federal waters adjacent to
Louisiana waters will be closed on that date.
NMFS determined
that the large coastal shark commercial fishery quota for
the second trimester fishing season is projected to be reached
and action is necessary to ensure that the trimester quota
for large coastal sharks for the period July 1 through August
31, 2006, in the Gulf of Mexico is not exceeded.
