The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) near real-time data collection program, is 294,236 pounds, or 37 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This estimate covers the period through June 16.
The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 816,439 pounds of red snapper approved under the EFP according to landings estimates from LA Creel.
The private recreational red snapper season began May 24 in both state and federal waters. This season will run weekends only (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including the Thursday of Fourth of July) with a daily bag limit of two fish per person and a 16-inch total length minimum size limit.
Louisiana is operating under its second year of an EFP which allows the state to manage the private recreational red snapper season in state and federal waters. Under the EFP, participating anglers are allowed to fish red snapper in the state territorial seas and adjoining federal EEZ, from shore to 200 nautical miles, during the season set by the LDWF Secretary or Commission. NOAA Fisheries continues to regulate federal for-hire vessels (charter and headboats). State charter captains (those who do not have a federal Gulf of Mexico charter permit for reef fish) may only fish for red snapper in state waters when the state recreational red snapper season is open.
For more information on the 2019 red snapper season and detailed landing estimates, visit: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/red-snapper.
