01-11-2011, 08:10 PM
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has announced the recreational harvest of gag grouper in state waters will be prohibited effective immediately. The latest stock assessment for the species indicates that gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished.
Federal fisheries managers recently announced a temporary rule that closes Gulf federal waters to recreational fishing for gag grouper. The closure will remain in place while they develop long-term measures to improve gag grouper populations.
The commission's actions allow regulations in state waters to complement regulations of the National Marine Fisheries Service for federally managed waters. NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council typically request consistent regulations for Louisiana waters to enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations.
For more information, please contact Ashley Wethey at (225) 765-5113 or awethey@wlf.la.gov.
Federal fisheries managers recently announced a temporary rule that closes Gulf federal waters to recreational fishing for gag grouper. The closure will remain in place while they develop long-term measures to improve gag grouper populations.
The commission's actions allow regulations in state waters to complement regulations of the National Marine Fisheries Service for federally managed waters. NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council typically request consistent regulations for Louisiana waters to enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations.
For more information, please contact Ashley Wethey at (225) 765-5113 or awethey@wlf.la.gov.