A Notice of Intent( NOI ) has been adopted by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to modify the menhaden fishery’s buffer zone and spill reporting regulations.
( Editor’s Note: The pogy / menhaden fishery is connected to significant redfish, tarpon, and other species bykill events. )
Zone of Buffer
This section of the NOI creates a southern buffer area for the business harvest of menhaden, one mile off the coast of Louisiana and three miles from the location of Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach in eastern Louisiana. The existing 14-mile pilot and the existing 3 mile buffer at Grand Isle, Louisiana, may be extended by this action. may stay in place.
Reporting
The NOI part establishes a 48-hour window for retrieving any menhaden or bycatch that is intentionally or unintentionally released into the environment and offers penalties and restitution for breaking the rules. In addition to the existing internet requirement, the NOI even specifies that reporting must be done by phone call within two hours of any Enforcement Division release. The proposed rule change specifies the certain reporting components that the Enforcement Division notification may contain.
Following a bass release, the following information must be reported:
- The launch date and time
- bass varieties that have been released
- The fish’s released tendency
- The vessel’s title was used to release the fish.
- Estimate of the bass that were released
- Video and photo proof of the transfer
- the release’s locations
- causes of the transfer
The Commission may hear a presentation about the financial effects of this concept before it becomes final.
Click here to view the entire Notice of Intent.
