LOUISIANA

NEWS FROM THE LA. DEPT. OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
The Public Information Section of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is responsible for the distribution of LDWF news releases and the department's biweekly newsletter.

2008-363 (December 10, 2008)

COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSES AVAILABLE IN BOURG FROM DEC. 16 TO 18

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Licensing Section will be selling commercial fishing licenses from the Bourg office from Dec. 16 to 18.

Most commercial fishing licenses will be available for purchase from Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The office is located at 468 Texas Gulf Road in Bourg and their contact number is 985-594-4130.

Fishermen are reminded that only cashier’s checks, money orders and cash will be accepted at the Bourg office. No credit cards or personal checks will be taken. To avoid processing delays, those purchasing licenses are asked to bring their license renewal notices with them.

In addition to continual sales in Baton Rouge, LDWF has offered commercial licenses from its office in Bourg twice a year since January of 2002. It has successfully provided LDWF with an improved method of customer service and has proven to be a convenient way for commercial fishermen to keep their important licenses current.

2008-362 (December 9, 2008)

2009 DATES ANNOUNCED FOR WHITE LAKE FACILITIES USE BY GROUPS CONDUCTING NON-CONSUMPTIVE ACTIVITIES

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced today a list of selected dates between March 10 and July 14, 2009, for public use of facilities at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WCA).

“We are again offering facility access at White Lake for non-consumptive use by educational groups, conservation organizations and anyone interested in an outdoor retreat opportunity in a unique wetland environment,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.

White Lake WCA is located south of Gueydan in Vermilion Parish. LDWF owns and manages lodge facilities and 71,000 acres of wetlands and marshland. The lodge facilities, accessible only by water, will be available for day-use or overnight use at rental rates that vary based on level of services required by the group using the site. Boat transportation to and from the site will be provided as part of the day use and overnight use access for 2009 group use dates.

“The facilities and landscape would be ideal for birding groups, nature photographers, environmental or wetland ecology students, or small business retreats,” said LDWF’s Jimmy Anthony, Office of Wildlife assistant secretary. “We can provide site staff for guided boat tours and biologists for lectures on the ecosystem within the conservation area.”

White Lake WCA and the surrounding Mermentau River Basin provide abundant habitat for a variety of avian and aquatic species. The property will seasonally have migrant passerine birds, shorebirds, wading birds, rails, gallinules, and the common moorhen. Hawks and owls are also common. Coastal terns and gulls use habitat contained on White Lake at times. Several large breeding rookeries of waders are present on the property. Most notably, along Blackfish Bayou, buttonbush growth supports a rookery with a large number of black-crowned night herons.

Access dates and fees for 2009 are as follows:

SCHEDULE FOR NON-CONSUMPTIVE ACTIVITIES AT WHITE LAKE WCA

Day trips: March 24; April 14 and 21; May 5 and 19; June 2 and 23; and July 7 and 14.
Overnight trips: March 10-11; April 7-8; May 12-13; and June 9-10.

FEE SCHEDULE FOR WHITE LAKE WCA FACILITY USE

Day Use
$300 - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with no food or drink or additional services provided by LDWF. (For up to 15 people.)

$300 + $10/person - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with coffee, cold drinks and bottled water provided. (For up to 15 people.)

$300 + $20/person - Includes one-day use of Lodge for meetings with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water and lunch provided. Lunch provided (for up to 15 people) will consist of a sandwich tray and chips or something similar. It will not include a hot lunch.

Exemptions from day-use Lodge rental fee: State agencies, local and federal agencies, and universities conducting research, or educational activities, conducted in cooperation with LDWF. Costs for beverages or lunch may apply ($10/person for drinks, $20/person for drinks and lunch).

Overnight Use
$400 + $25/person/night -- Includes overnight stay at Lodge with only linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

$400 + $35/person/night -- Includes overnight stay at Lodge with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water and linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

$900 + $35/person/night -- Includes overnight stay at Lodge with coffee, cold drinks, bottled water, meals (breakfast, lunch and supper) and linens provided. (For up to 12 people.)

Exemptions from overnight Lodge rental fee: State agencies, local and federal agencies, and universities conducting research, or educational activities, conducted in cooperation with LDWF. Costs for beverages or lunch may apply ($10/person for drinks, $20/person for drinks and lunch).

Skeet Range (optional activity for groups using site for scheduled events)
$10/person/25 clay pigeons.

$15/person/25 clay pigeons, 25 shotgun shells provided.

Exemptions - Any persons using the skeet range at LDWF-sponsored events.

Boat Tours (optional activity for groups using site for scheduled events)
$10/person/ride. Limited to authorized function attendees.

Exemptions: Any state, local or federal agency working in cooperation with the LDWF on cooperative initiatives or universities/conservation organizations working with LDWF on cooperative research projects, or educational activities conducted in cooperation with LDWF.

For more information, visit the LDWF Web site at ww.wlf.louisiana.gov and click on 2008 White Lake Non-Consumptive Dates under LA ANNOUNCEMENTS, or call 337-479-1894 or e-mail Wayne Sweeney at sweeneykw@bellsouth.net.

2008-360 (December 9, 2008)

FALL INSHORE SHRIMP SEASON EXTENDED IN PORTION OF ZONE 1

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has extended the fall inshore shrimp season in that portion of Shrimp Management Zone 1 extending north of the south shore of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne until further notice.

The department is also reminding shrimpers that the fall inshore shrimp season in the remainder of Zone 1 and all of Zones 2 and 3 will close Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 at official sunset except in the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line (LA R.S.56:495.1.(A)2) which will remain open until 6 a.m., March 31, 2009.

The fall shrimp season opening and closing dates were fixed by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at its Aug. 7 meeting. However, the commission has provided LDWF Secretary Robert Barham with authority to change the closing dates of the 2008 fall shrimp season if biological and technical data indicate the need to do so.

Current LDWF trip ticket report data have indicated that significant quantities of marketable size shrimp remain in those waters affected by the season extension and this action should provide shrimpers with additional economic opportunities without adverse impacts to the shrimp resource.

Shrimpers are also reminded of the statutory provision which removes the 100 count per pound minimum possession size on white shrimp taken or possessed between Oct. 15 through the third Monday in December of each year. Following Dec. 15, the minimum possession limit of 100 count per pound on white shrimp taken or possessed onboard a vessel will become effective and the minimum count size will be strictly enforced.

2008-357 (December 8, 2008)

State Officials and Fishing Industry Leaders to Meet Dec. 11 to Discuss Distribution of Federal Funds for Gustav and Ike Impacts

Representatives of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and Louisiana Sea Grant will meet Thursday, Dec. 11 in New Orleans to discuss the use of $40 million in federal funds allocated for the state’s commercial fishing industry following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The 1 p.m. meeting at the Lindy Boggs Conference Center on the University of New Orleans campus will gather proposed ideas for use of the $40 million awarded to the state in November by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The conference center is located at 2045 Lakeshore Drive.

LDWF will administer distribution of the NOAA funds, provided to help restore and rebuild fishing communities devastated by the two September storms. Those present will be given the opportunity to offer suggestions and comments regarding the intended use of recovery funds.

2008-253 (December 2, 2008)

COUGAR CAPTURE IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD UNSUCCESSFUL

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Bossier City Police Department (BPPD) responded to a call on Sunday, Nov. 30 that a cougar had been spotted in a residential neighborhood in Bossier City. LDWF’s efforts to immobilize the 125-pound cat with a tranquilizer dart were not immediately successful and BPPD officers shot the animal to minimize the possible threat to public safety.

The state’s third documented cougar sighting in three months was witnessed by neighbors in Bossier City, as well as law enforcement officers, state biologists and news media representatives. The cougar was discovered in the same neighborhood where a black bear was treed three years ago. That incident resulted in capture and relocation of the bear.

“This neighborhood is situated close to the Red River,” said Maria Davidson, LDWF Wildlife Division. “Animals will utilize forested corridors along rivers and streams to cover great distances between forest woodlots.”

LDWF staff worked with the BPPD to secure the area for the public’s safety in advance of biologists’ efforts to tranquilize the animal. When the 125-pound cat was hit with the tranquilizer dart, it was startled and began to move within the tree where it was situated. BPPD officers then shot the cougar out of concern for public safety.

“Our standard procedure is to tranquilize the animal in a situation such as this and relocate it to ensure public safety as well as the welfare of the animal,” said Davidson. “It simply did not work in this situation.”

Dr. Jim Lacour, LDWF veterinarian, performed a necropsy on Monday to take DNA samples and uncover any clues to help determine if the cougar was a wild animal or possibly an animal that had been kept as a pet and then released.

“Currently, all indications are that this cougar was a wild, free ranging animal,” Davidson reported. “A three- to four-year-old male cougar is within the most common age class to roam long distances in search of a new home range.”

Photographic evidence submitted to LDWF in September verified the presence of cougars in the state. A Sept. 4 photo from Natchitoches Parish and an Allen Parish photo on Sept. 29, both from citizens utilizing trail cameras, may have captured the same cougar’s image. It has not been determined whether or not the Bossier City cougar is that same animal.

Anyone holding a captive cougar in Louisiana must have a permit issued by LDWF, as captive cougars may compromise public safety. LDWF may issue permits to existing owners in the state in order to reduce difficulties associated with determining the validity of reported cougar sightings.

The mountain lion, cougar, panther or puma are names that all refer to the same animal. Their color ranges from lighter tan to brownish grey.

Cougars in Louisiana are protected under state and federal law. Penalties for taking a cougar in Louisiana may include up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine. Anyone with any information regarding the taking of a cougar should call LA Operation Game Thief, inc. at 1-800-442-2511. Callers may remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.

To report verifiable sightings of cougars containing physical evidence such as photos, tracks and/or scat please call Maria Davidson at 337-948-0255 or the nearest LDWF Region office at:

Minden 318-371-3050
Monroe 318-343-4044
Pineville 318-487-5885
Ferriday 318-757-4571
Lake Charles 337-491-2575
Opelousas 337-948-0255
Baton Rouge 225-765-2360

2008-348 (December 2, 2008)

COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSES AVAILABLE IN BOURG FROM DEC. 16 TO 18

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Licensing Section will be selling commercial fishing licenses from the Bourg office from Dec. 16 to 18.

Most commercial fishing licenses will be available for purchase from Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The office is located at 468 Texas Gulf Road in Bourg and their contact number is 985-594-4130.

Fishermen are reminded that only cashier’s checks, money orders and cash will be accepted at the Bourg office. No credit cards or personal checks will be taken. To avoid processing delays, those purchasing licenses are asked to bring their license renewal notices with them.

In addition to continual sales in Baton Rouge, LDWF has offered commercial licenses from its office in Bourg twice a year since January of 2002. It has successfully provided LDWF with an improved method of customer service and has proven to be a convenient way for commercial fishermen to keep their important licenses current.

2008-352 (December 2, 2008)

LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING TO AIR HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIFTH ANNUAL
GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF

If you were not able to catch the action up close and in person at the 5th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off, presented by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, there is still time to look on as some of the nation’s best chefs battle it out for the title of King or Queen of American Seafood.

From the comfort of your home you will be able to see highlights from this sizzling event on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting television network. The show covers both days of the competition, which was held in August at the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Foodservice EXPO.

On day one, there were 15 chefs preparing their signature dishes with domestic, sustainable seafood from their state. Things really heated up on day two of the competition when the five remaining chefs were challenged to create a dish using domestic sustainable seafood and mystery ingredients from Whole Foods Market, Southwest Airlines and Michelob Brewing Co. The chefs also had to make sure that this dish was something that would be easy for a home chef to recreate.

When the judges’ votes were tallied, Chef John Currence of City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, MS took home the prize with his Mississippi Redfish Courtboullion and Seafood Dirty Rice. In 2nd place was Chef Brian Landry of Galatoire’s Restaurant with his Louisiana Shrimp and Andouille Cassoulet.

The competition was not over yet, it was now time for the people to cast their vote and during the entire month of October, seafood lovers from all over the country had the opportunity to view the top five recipes at GreatAmericanSeafoodCook-Off.com and decide which chef’s recipe was the best. When the online votes were counted, the people’s choice was Louisiana’s own Chef Brian Landry.

Tune in to LPB on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. where Chef Brian Landry will appear live to talk about his experience in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and you will be able to take part in the fun as you watch him and his fellow competitors create their award winning dishes!

For more information about Louisiana oysters, visit www.LouisianaOysters.org.