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State Waters Changing
Following the guidelines of Act 336 of the 2011 State Legislature, and at the urging of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries secretary Robert Barham, the Loouisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted Thursday to set the state’s fishing boundaries into the Gulf of Mexico out to three marine leagues.
In effect, the LWFC’s unanimous vote pushes state regulations out from the current three-mile limit to 10.357 miles into Gulf waters.
Barham said research for Act 336 uncovered a little-known provision that could allow the state to push its state waters “...to include offshore islands and out to three leagues.”
In asking the commission to approve the move, Barham said, “We are following the expressed will of the people through the (state) Legislature an the governor, that this is the collective will of the people.”
Barham further reminded the commission that its approval extended to fisheries-related matters only.
Act 336 contained this proviso: “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof shall not extend to the boundaries recognized herein until the U.S. Congress acknowledges the boundary described herein by an Act of Congress or any litigation resulting from the passage of the Act which originated as Senate Bill 145 of the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature of Loouisiana with respect to the legal boundary of the state is resolved and a final non-appealable judgement if rendered.”
Barham further stated that he expects the action to spark the issue in Congress.
“They (Congress) will never take action unless we do something,” Barham said.
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I agree with you Mike. This is great news.
Unless the US congress okays this ,all it means is LDWF won't enforce federal law.
I hope it sails thru .BUT ,i look for some senators to use this as payback for D.Vitter holding up appointments.
I really hope i'm wrong but i don't think so.
Regardless of the outcome in Congress I love seeing states push back.
This is good news that our state is finally standing up for its fishermen. Does anyone know if our state will attempt to go non-compliant on the federal AJ and gag grouper seasons as well? Tight lines!
I believe this changes nothing in the grand isle area because state law does not override federal regulations.
Changes nothing! For some it will and for others it won't. I would be willing to bet a bunch of money (if I had a bunch of money) that there will be a whole lot of people fishing for red snapper knowing that the state game wardens will not be enforcing federal law in what they will be saying is state waters.
And it isn't a foregone conclusion that the Federal government is going to fight us on this issue.
For years the State has done very little in supporting the recreational fishermen. At least now its a step in the right direction. Now if we can just get some support on the issue of tidal waters and posted waterways.
I would love for these changes to stick. I was offshore one day and had to tell my friend's son to throw back a redfish. It broke my heart. The little boy fought that bull red on a little speck rod for 30 minutes or so. He was sweating and out of breath. He was upset. It is long overdue for states to stand up to the feds.
Mike, You stated you did not understand why this thread did not have 100 post. I think it is because it is the same problem of conservative amircans are quiet by nature and it will take something drastic to wake up the sleeping gaint of conservative america.
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Figured this post needed a bump. I don't understand how this topic doesn't have a thread with 100 post in it!
Law was passed. Looking forward to a REAL snapper season next year.
No more throwing back of redfish at the shallow water rigs anymore either.
How is this not on the tip of everyone's tongue?