The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission ( LWFC ) adopted a Notice of Intent( NOI ) to change the maximum size restriction for red drums from 16 inches and 27 inches to an 18-inch minimum size limit total length. Five to three fish per day will be the dark drum’s regular take-and-possession cap. Moreover, it will be forbidden for captain and crew on charter or mind boats to retain any red drum that is larger than the maximum size limit of 24 inches overall length. On charter trips, charter guides and crew will still be permitted to fish to show off how to find red drum, but they will not be allowed to keep the drum until the ship reaches a certain limit.
The genetic data that show the purple drum stock is overfishing and has an escape rate below the 30 percent minimum limit, causing a declining biomass, are the basis for the proposed changes. Management adjustments are required to boost the escape charge and prevent the stock biomass from deteriorating to an depleted state.
Steps after that:
Before noon on Thursday, October 5, 2023, interested parties may send comments about the proposed Rule to Jason Adriance, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, or via email to[ email protected ].
Click here to view the entire Notice of Intent.
The first step in enacting a final Rule, which could take anywhere from 90 days to one year, is the Commission’s adoption of the Notice of Intent ( NOI ). The common opinion time may start after the NOI is adopted and is published in the State Register. All common comments received will be taken into account by the Commission, who may also make any necessary or appropriate changes. The proposed Rule will be sent to the Legislative Oversight Committee for review in the absence of any NOI modifications made by the Commission. The Rule may be made public as last in the State Register after the 30-day monitoring period has passed or after receiving a favorable review from the Oversight Committee.
Why Is Escape Price So Important?
An” catapult” rate is used to gauge the red disc stock’s adolescent population. Escapement is the percentage of red disc that enters the spawning property abroad from coastal waters as juveniles through the recreational fishery( red disc is not permitted in Louisiana ). There are currently too few red drum surviving to make it offshore and eventually spawn, despite the fact that Louisiana’s escapement rate is currently 20 %, which is below the established management escape rate limit of 30 %.
