kds
Forum Replies Created
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Cut and paste from Nola.com…
State commissioners at a packed meeting in Baton Rouge on Thursday approved a proposal to ease some regulations on Louisiana’s controversial menhaden fishing industry while adding additional protections in certain sensitive areas off the coast.
The proposal sets in motion a process that could see the new rules take effect next year.
The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted 4-3 in favor of the proposal that would reduce the half-mile buffer zone in certain areas off the coast where fishing for menhaden, or pogies, is currently banned. The buffer would be a quarter-mile in those areas under the proposal, while the no-go zone for the menhaden industry would be extended in other particularly sensitive areas.
In total, banned areas for the industry would increase by around 4%. But the issue has nonetheless sparked deep controversy among recreational fishermen, charter captains and conservation groups who say there is too much at risk along Louisiana’s eroding coast to again allow the industrial-scale fishing closer to shore.
The industry argues that the current buffer zones have cut deeply into its profits, putting at risk jobs and tax revenue. Industry officials have pointed to a bycatch study recently carried out showing that the effects of menhaden boats were not as bad as some had feared.
One of the authors of the study told commissioners that the buffer zone reductions are unlikely to affect bycatch, or fish caught besides menhaden, on a per-net basis, meaning if the same amount of fishing occurs. Opponents argued the reductions would increase fishing, and bycatch as a result.
The current rules are the result of a compromise reached last year at the behest of Gov. Jeff Landry. The industry has been consistently urging the state to ease them, saying it faces a 15-25% reduction in its catch.
A public comment period will now follow until Jan. 23. State legislators will also have the option of weighing in. The earliest the new rule could take effect is March 20.
An overflow crowd packed Thursday’s meeting, which featured a long succession of speakers on various sides of the issues during the public comment period.
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Thanks for tips, I’m probably gonna explore today, I have a small window in the middle of the day to take the boat out. Google Earth has some nice looking tidelines in that area on a falling tide that I want to explore.
Trout reports from this time last year are bonkers, maybe this is the day!
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Dedication all around, I wanna see that sheaphead!
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I’m no pro but the tide on Monday looks garbage, Tuesday morning looks better, a falling tide may help activate the trout we’ve been waiting for. A safer bet I think would be targeting redfish though I wonder how the water looks after all this wind. They’re in there but expect to hit a lot of shoreline to find them
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That boat was completely submerged when I was there yesterday, I almost hit it. It’s right next to the launch on the MRGO side
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I’m gonna explore some of the south shore of Lake Borgne tomorrow when the tide falls in the morning, I’ll let you know what happens…
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Is the Biloxi Wildlife Management Area off limits to duck hunting?
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I feel encouraged, thank you!
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Honestly, I’m looking for something new and I haven’t fished that area before. I feel there have been some encouraging reports from both Pelain and Lake Robin recently so I wanna take a look.
If I get on the water at first light I’ll be fishing by 6:30am catching the end of a falling tide, which could be good but I expect the tidal movement to stall around 10am with the tide change. This feels like a small window to fish, could I capitalize on a rising tide in the same area later in the day, potentially for longer and expect a better result?
I’ll certainly add Bayou Lingeo to my route provided that SE wind doesn’t want to play games!
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Couldn’t get link to work but found the video on YT, that was a great spot for me back in the spring just not two days ago. I’m really looking forward to this fall fishing happening in earnest soon!
Until it cools some do you think I could expect anything different fishing out of Beshel or from Lou’s launch or even Lafitte? (All areas I’m familiar with, kinda!) I wonder if the Biloxi Marsh is overfished. So many boats on a Tuesday, I work in restaurants and rarely have weekends off so I can only imagine what it’s like then. I wanna make the best use of my time, should I look elsewhere or just be patient? Maybe that’s just fishing!
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I’m not aware of the oyster reef between those rigs but I’ll be on the lookout next time. Back in the spring I was consistently catching trout near the rig on the north side of Muscle Bay.
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sounds like a fun day!
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Wow, I got a few days off early this coming week, I can’t wait to explore somewhere new using your map!
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Thank you I’m gonna check it out!
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OMG yes! I raise my trolling motor as far as I can and switch to a cork when I get tired of snagging them
