A Louisiana investigation into possible menhaden fishing violations found no wrongdoing, the state’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) said.
On July 24, LDWF received several reports that menhaden boats were possibly operating within the restricted buffer zone, fishing too close to shore in Terrebonne Parish.
That same day, LDWF agents responded and located a fleet of menhaden vessels between Taylor’s Bayou and Wine Island—outside the buffer zone. Agents boarded two of the vessels named in the complaints to conduct compliance checks. The captains cooperated and allowed access to GPS tracking data, which showed the vessels had remained outside the buffer zone, where the boundary shifts northward near Raccoon Island.
After a thorough compliance check, LDWF Enforcement determined the boats were operating legally and had committed no violations, the agency said on July 31.
Last year, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission enacted several changes regulating the commercial menhaden fishery, including modifications and expansions to the coastal buffer zone.
The buffer zone includes a coastwide half-mile restriction. This extends to one mile at Grand Terre, Elmer’s Island, and Holly Beach, and to three miles at Grand Isle.
“I would like to thank all members of the public who are participating in LDWF’s mission to conserve, protect, and promote the vital fisheries of our state,” said Tyler Bosworth, secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries. “We rely heavily on information from the public to help protect the game, fish, and habitats of our state”.
