Louisiana Finfish Task Force public meetings in 2025
3 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Louisiana Finfish Task Force
The Louisiana Finfish Task Force will discuss a Notice of Intent to reduce the buffer zone for the commercial menhaden industry and consider filling a vacancy in its membership due to a House of Representatives seat opening. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.
- Discuss Notice of Intent to reduce buffer zone for commercial menhaden industry
- Discuss FTF membership for House of Representatives vacancy
Louisiana Finfish Task Force
The Finfish Task Force will hear results of a commercial menhaden bycatch study from LGL Ecological Research Associates. They will also discuss requesting USDA relief from wild-caught catfish regulations, review recent LDWF commercial fishing reports, and discuss the state of the commercial fishing industry. Additionally, the task force will consider skimming for sheepshead and drum from January to March.
- Hear results of the Commercial Menhaden Bycatch Study from LGL Ecological Research Associates
- Request LDWF submit a follow-up letter to USDA seeking relief from wild-caught catfish regulations
- Presentation on recent LDWF Commercial Fishing Reports
- Discuss the state of the commercial fishing industry
- Discuss skimming for sheepshead and drum from January to March
The task force approved the February 12, 2025 meeting minutes and the amended August 27, 2025 agenda. Members discussed the impact of regulations and imports on commercial fishing and reviewed a menhaden by-catch study. No new regulations were approved.
- Approved February 12, 2025 meeting minutes
- Approved amended August 27, 2025 meeting agenda
- Removed request for LDWF to seek relief from wild-caught catfish regulations from the agenda
Louisiana Finfish Task Force
The Louisiana Finfish Task Force will meet to discuss fishing regulations and stock levels. The body will hear recommendations on bag limits and season structures for recreational Red Snapper and potential new Wahoo regulations.
- Recommendations on bag limit and season structure for recreational Red Snapper
- Recommendations on potential new Wahoo regulations
- Discussion on fisheries stocks following the snow storm event
- Discussion on Southern Flounder
- Officer elections
The Louisiana Finfish Task Force voted to create a state recreational management system for wahoo to prevent federal regulation. The group also elected new leadership and discussed recreational red snapper season structures and fish kill data following a snowstorm.
- Approved creation of a state recreational management system for wahoo
- Elected Ben Graham as chairman and Stuart Billeaud as vice-chairman
- Approved November 13, 2024 meeting minutes
- Approved amended agenda to include industry state and Greater Amber Jack discussions