FFI Gulf Coast Council

At the July 6th meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting, over two dozen fly fishing guides and nearly a dozen other conservationists helped pack the meeting room, for the purpose of speaking out on a proposed NOI to modify redfish regulations in the state.

They were joined by an equal number of speckled trout enthusiasts – including many prominent guides – who were there for a second NOI proposal, this one for seatrout.

Both seatrout and redfish are experiencing overfishing (depletion) due to a number of factors:

• • loss of habitat due to coastal erosion
  • decline in habitat diversity and water quality
  • decline in forage (mostly menhaden)
  • vast increase in angler numbers since current regs set in 1988
  • increase in angler efficiency

While the first three factors are certainly a huge part of the problem, the last two factors  are significant and would’ve alone required reductions in harvest – although not nearly as drastic.

In Part I, we’ll focus on what transpired for the redfish hearing.  We’ll recap the trout discussion in Part II.

First, some background on the redfish NOI discussion.  The Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) and Escapement Rate (ECR) for red drum have been trending downward since 2005. Recent recreational landings for redfish are the lowest since the 1980s. LDWF recommended a 35% reduction in harvest.

The FFI-GCC felt this 35 percent was insufficient due to the incredibly long time for recovery. Therefore we proposed to commissioners three options that would lead to a 40% or higher reduction in harvest – and recovery in much less time than LDWF’s proposal.

Prior to the meeting, LDWF released their proposal.  Here are details of that proposal and the estimated time it would take to reach the ECR Conservation Standard (30%) and the SPR Conservation Standard (30%) if that NOI had been adopted.

NOI as put forward by LDWF:
– 18″-27″ slot, 4 daily creel, no overslot
– 36.9% harvest reduction
– ECR target: 3 years
– SPR target: 26 years

Prior to any motions for adopting this NOI, speakers were allowed to comment on the subject. With the exception of two bowfishing guides, every speaker pointed out the folly of a proposal that would require 26 years to recovery. They also gave anecdotal evidence that the fishery is in serious decline and that jobs are in jeopardy unless drastic measures are taken.

After the comment period was over, Commissioner Joe McPherson shocked the audience by motioning for an NOI even more conservative than the FFI-GCC or other conservation groups had suggested.

NOI as put forward by Commissioner McPherson:
– 18″-24″ slot, 3 daily creel, no overslot
– 55.1% harvest reduction
– ECR target: 1 years
– SPR target: 9 years

As you can see, there is significantly less time to recovery for both ECR and SPR under this proposal. A vote was then taken, and much to everyone’s surprise, the motion carried 4-2.

The moment the vote was announced, the audience (the vast majority at least) erupted with applause!  And while this a great victory for conservation of red drum in Louisiana, it’s only the first step before it becomes law.

Steps in the process:

1. The Commission adopts an NOI (done).
2. The NOI is published in the State Register and public comment begins (this has begun).
3. The Commission then considers all public comments received and may make amendments to the original NOI.
4. Absent any amendments, the proposed Rule is sent to the Legislative Oversight Committee for review.
5. If reviewed favorably by the LOC, the Rule is published as final in the State Register.

Judging from feedback on social media since Thursday, it’s clear that nearly all fly anglers are ecstatic with this NOI.  Most in the kayak fishing community and even some in the conventional boat community are okay with the 3-fish limit, but a bit concerned about the narrow slot range.   Some are suggesting expanding to 18″-25″ or 18″-26″.

The biggest opposition will come from the bowfishing guides. They’ve already made it clear they plan to fight this all the way. At the hearing, they seem to think that there was no issue with redfish and no changes were necessary.

So now the process continues… to get this NOI into rule, its incumbent upon all fly anglers and other conservationists to send their comments to Jason Adriance at jadriance@wlf.la.gov .

Once the Commission receives comments and establishes a final NOI,  the Legislative Oversight Committee will determine whether to approve or decline the NOI.  It’s not too early to contact these legislators and let them know you support this.  In addition, contacting your local legislators wouldn’t hurt either.

LA House Natural Resources Committee
https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/NaturalResources

LA Senate Natural Resources Committee
https://senate.la.gov/Sen_Committees/NaturalResources

It should be pointed out that a prior proposal for reduction in speckled trout limits was declined by the Oversight Committee after heavy lobbying from one particular group.   So contacting these legislators is a must to getting the NOI passed!

One last note… nearly EVERY speaker during the comment period mentioned the unregulated menhaden harvest that plagues Louisiana.  The Bayou State is the only one that doesn’t have a commercial quota, and until earlier this year, the only state without a shoreline buffer zone. Even then, the buffer zone is a mere 1/4 mile… far less than any other state.

Some suggested adding language to the NOI to restrict menhaden. But as the commissioners rightly pointed out, this by law requires a notice in advance of the meeting. With a couple new commissioners now on board – both of which seem friendly towards our cause – perhaps there’s now a chance some fruitful action may be forthcoming.