Regulations, Identifications and FEMA

Recent Changes in Regulations for Vermilion Snapper

Offshore anglers should be sure to note the changes in snapper regulations. Both state and federal laws now specify that the minimum size for vermilion snapper (beeliners) for both recreational and commercial fishermen will increase from 10 to 11 inches.

Additionally, commercial fishermen will have an annual closed season from April 22 through May 31 of each year.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has declared vermilion snapper to be over-fished, and the federal reef fish management plan includes measures to end over-fishing and rebuild the spawning stock in 10 years.

Vermilion snapper are still part of a 20 fish per person aggregate bag limit for vermilion, lane, gray triggerfish, almaco jack, goldface tilefish, tilefish, blackline tilefish, anchor tilefish and blueline tilefish. However, not more than 10 vermilion snapper per person may be included in that bag limit.

Fish ID Books Still Available

Saltwater anglers with questions about fish identification may want to get a copy of Sea Grant’s A Fisherman’s Guide to Common Coastal Fishes. This handbook uses color photographs of the fish species, which often make it possible to “picture-ID” your fish. It is printed on heavy weatherproof paper, and costs $20. Assembled by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists, it is available through the Louisiana Sea Grant Communications Office, 105 Sea Grant Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (225/578-6448). For a complete list of Sea Grant handbooks visit http://www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/resources/handbooklist.htm.

Fact Sheets Help Navigate FEMA Programs, Regulations

The Sea Grant Legal Program has developed a series of information sheets to help people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita navigate FEMA programs and related legal issues during the continuing rebuilding process. The information sheets are available online in PDF format at http://www.lsu.edu/sglegal. Click on the box at the top the page to access the fact sheets.

“This project came about after our extension program partners in the LSU AgCenter identified a need for a plainer explanation of FEMA reconstruction guidelines,” said LSGLP Director Jim Wilkins. “In many instances, specialized federal programs and documents are not only difficult for the general population to understand but also for many local authorities who’ve never extensively dealt with a particular program before.”

The information sheets answer questions about the National Flood Insurance Program, flood elevations, rebuilding after a flood, and other reconstruction matters.

“These documents will play a critical role in helping people make rebuilding decisions,” said Dr. Rod Emmer, Executive Director of the Louisiana Floodplain Management Association, who is working with the LSGLP on the project. “Homeowners must understand the basics of these programs and then they will be better prepared to determine if they qualify for them. The increased cost of compliance is one such program that offers a way to better protect lives and property.”

Governor Blanco Denies LNG Application

Last month Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced her decision to deny the Freeport McMoran application for new liquefied natural gas facilities off the coast of Louisiana. The governor’s office issued a statement that while Louisiana stands ready to encourage the development of this growing industry, there are doubts whether there is “sound scientific evidence to show that these emerging technologies will not seriously harm our already fragile Gulf ecosystem or the fisheries that are so crucial to our fishing industry.”

The governor stated: "After considerable consultation with biologists, conservationists, business developers, and Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama and Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, I have come to the conclusion that insufficient evidence exists at this time to approve this application for an open rack vaporizer (ORV) system. The Freeport McMoran application is only one of many pending LNG projects. We must avoid the harm presented by the cumulative impact of multiple offshore LNG facilities .”

Blanco is requiring that two conditions be met in order to move forward with LNG expansion:

1. That only closed-loop systems be used unless sufficient data is produced that show negligible impacts to marine life from ORV systems, and
2. That Louisiana receives a share of the revenues gained from LNG projects.

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