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Striking a Balance on Louisiana’s Coast

Louisiana’s coastal regions are a testament to the need for equilibrium. These waters are a lifeline for countless families, contributing over $419 million annually to the economy. Simultaneously, they nurture some of the nation’s most vibrant ecosystems. Decisions regarding their protection must be science-driven, informed by local knowledge, and forged through compromise.

The recent Notice of Intent (NOI) from the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission aims to adjust menhaden buffer zones. This initiative represents a science-based compromise that enhances protection in critical areas while allowing sustainable fishing in traditional zones.

Science-Driven Decisions

The Commission tasked the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) with a thorough evaluation of current buffer zones to determine where enhancements are necessary and where traditional fishing can be safely resumed.

The outcome is a plan that expands the buffer zone by over 4 percent, increasing from 264 to 276 square miles, while refining boundaries to better align with ecological requirements.

• Increased protections around the Chandeleur Islands and Isle Dernieres.
• Improved enforcement through GPS coordinates, clearer language, and reorganized zones.
• Restored access in historical fishing areas with minimal environmental impact.

Precision in Regulation

This approach ensures that protection is enhanced where it is most needed, relying on data rather than politics to guide responsible fishing practices.

Addressing Concerns with Evidence

Some groups argue that modifying nearshore buffers is a regression. However, Louisiana’s data tells a different story.

The state’s $1 million bycatch study reveals:

• Menhaden fishery accounts for only 3.4 percent of red drum landings.
• Total bycatch remains below the 5 percent cap set by legislation.
• Reopened areas show no significant impact on red drum populations.

Modernizing the Menhaden Fleet

Louisiana’s menhaden industry has invested over $6.5 million in safer, more sustainable equipment, including:

• Spectra and Plateena nets for durability and reduced accidental releases.
• Hose-end cage systems cutting red drum mortality by 24 percent.
• New protocols for rapid response, spill containment, and crew training.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

These voluntary upgrades represent one of the most significant modernization efforts in the Gulf’s commercial fisheries, reflecting a commitment to exceed regulatory requirements.

The Commission’s NOI aligns with this philosophy, enhancing protections where necessary while supporting responsible fishing where risks are low.

Supporting Communities and Traditions

For many parishes, the menhaden industry is a vital economic pillar. Over 2,000 Louisianans are employed in the fishery and its supply chain, supporting local businesses like machinists, truckers, and processors.

These jobs provide year-round stability, supporting families in communities where other industries have vanished. Menhaden fishing has been a cornerstone for generations, fueling essential supply chains such as aquaculture, pet food, and animal feed.

Protecting Louisiana’s coast means safeguarding these livelihoods.

Collaborative Path Forward

The future of our coast depends on shared stewardship, not division. We are committed to collaborating with the Commission, LDWF, legislators, conservationists, and scientists to enhance transparency, enforcement, and public trust.

Shared Success for Coast and Community

The Commission’s NOI is a pragmatic step forward, recognizing that Louisiana can protect its delicate habitats while preserving its working-water heritage. It underscores the importance of science over rhetoric and acknowledges that compromise is a strength, not a weakness.

Our coast is invaluable, as are the people who rely on it. This proposal honors both.