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Home > Current News > 2008

News: 2008

Commission Adopts Notices of Intent to Administer Oyster Seed Ground Vessel Permit
Posted: 11/7/08

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed two notices of intent on Nov. 6, 2008 describing administrative procedures related to the Oyster Seed Ground Vessel Permit.

This new permit was established by Act 922 of the 2008 Regular Legislative Session and is required of all vessels harvesting oysters for commercial purposes only from the public oyster seed grounds and reservations, except those public areas of Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes.

The notices of intent outline administrative procedures for the renewal and reissuance of permits, as well as the operations and functions of the Seed Ground Vessel Permit Appeals Board.

As of Jan. 1, 2009, all vessels fishing oysters on the public oyster seed grounds and reservations, except those in Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes, are required to have the vessel permit.

The renewal and reissuance notice of intent describes the process for an existing permit holder to renew his permit for the following year or to be provided with a reissuance of a previous permit for a different vessel. To qualify under renewal, a vessel owner must have held a permit in the current or preceding license year. If the vessel listed on a permit is no longer in service, and the vessel owner now has a new vessel, the vessel owner can qualify for a reissuance permit by relinquishing the permit for the out-of-service vessel and obtaining a reissuance of that permit in the name of the new vessel.

The Appeals Board was established by Act 922 to hear appeals of permit applications previously denied by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Such appeals can only be based on the determination of a hardship as per criteria outlined in the notice of intent. The board shall only be comprised of licensed Louisiana oyster harvesters who hold a seed ground vessel permit. After hearing an appeal, the board may make a recommendation on permit issuance to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed rule to Patrick D. Banks, Marine Fisheries Division, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, PO Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 no later than 4:30 p.m., Jan. 6, 2009.

A complete copy of the two notices of intent may be accessed online at: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/education/commissionactions.

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