On Wednesday, the FFI Gulf Coast Council sent out a letter to each member of the Louisiana House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee (HNRC) urging them to approve a bill that would create an exclusion zone for the commercial harvest of menhaden.
HB535 by Rep. Joe Orgeron of Golden Meadow would create a 1/2 mile exclusion zone, with special one mile buffers in specific areas, and a 3-mile buffer zone off Grand Isle. These shoreline areas are spawning grounds for many species. Many species of fish – including redfish and speckled trout – depend upon menhaden as an important food source for growth and reproduction.
Of greater concern is the bycatch – estimated to be 20 million pounds. Photographic and video evidence of large numbers of dead (bycatch) redfish from these shoreline operations is what led to public outcry for exclusion zones.
The Gulf Coast Council urges its members and all Louisiana fly anglers to submit comments of support to the House Committee on Natural Resources by emailing to h-natr@legis.la.gov. Please use the subject “I Support H.B. 535”. The bill is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, May 12th.
In the letter, the GCC Conservation Director also points out that Louisiana is one of only three states (out of 18) that allows largescale reduction harvest of menhaden – and the only state without a buffer zone.
FFI Conservation Committee Chairman Tom Logan stated the following, “Fly Fishers International formally endorses and joins our FFI Gulf Coast Council in support of HB535. Menhaden are essential forage for many species of Gulf game fish and this conservation measure will assist in recovery of stocks for benefit of those species and opportunities for fly fishing for them in Gulf coastal waters.”.
The letter also received the endorsement of FFI President & CEO Patrick Berry and FFI Chairman Dave Peterson.
FFI and the FFI Gulf Coast Council have been working with our conservation partners CCA, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partners, IGFA, Billfish Foundation, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, and several others in support of this measure, and with common goals for more sustainable menhaden management.
