After years of negotiations, proposed legislation, scientific studies, and good-faith discussions about protecting Louisiana's coastal fisheries, we were presented a Deal on menhaden buffer zones in 2024. CCA Louisiana, representing 25,000+ members across the state, agreed that it wasn’t enough, but it was a positive step forward. The Deal would provide some protection while more studies were conducted, and more evidence of their devastation and poor stewardship was proved.

But now, everything has changed.

The Commission gave a directive to the staff to create an NOI to reduce the regulations on Menhaden. Since the directive was given the original proposal from the commercial menhaden industry is apparently undergoing some changes before the Notice of Intent (NOI) is published. We haven't seen these changes yet, but as soon as we have them, we will notify you immediately.

Here's what's critical: Regardless of what changes may be coming, we still need you to keep sending your sentiments to the LDWF Commission AND showing up on November 6th for the public meeting.

What CCA Requested on Behalf of Our Members:

1. Minimum of One-Mile Buffer Coastwide (Including East of the River)

Louisiana's own science showed that bycatch of sportfish decreases dramatically in deeper water. A one-mile buffer protects spawning grounds and reduces the killing of 22,000+ breeding-size bull redfish annually - the exact fish you can no longer legally keep.?
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2. One-Mile Buffer Around Chandelier Islands

A critical spawning and nursery habitat that deserves enhanced protection, especially given documented incidents in these waters. Especially as the state and federal governments are spending fortunes to protect it.?
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3. Closed Season During Redfish Spawning (Set A)

When redfish are most vulnerable - gathering in large schools to spawn - they need protection from purse seine nets. Our request would close menhaden operations during peak spawning season.

4. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

Science-based limits on how much menhaden can be harvested annually, ensuring sustainable populations of this critical forage fish species. This might be more important than ever since the east coast is about to reduce their catch by 40-50%. We don’t need added pressure from this fleet, our ecosystem can’t sustain it.?
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5. Extended Protections at the Mouths of Passes

These areas are highways for marine life moving between offshore and inshore waters. Enhanced buffer zones at pass mouths protect these critical migration corridors.?
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6. Regulations on Hose Cage Design

Modified equipment requirements to reduce bycatch mortality when nets are set. Better cage design means more non-target species can escape.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever?
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Louisiana's own biologists proved our case WITH THE BUFFER IN PLACE.

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?The July 2025 LGL study documented:?
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• 22,000+ breeding bull redfish killed annually
• 81 million Atlantic croaker killed
• 25 million sand seatrout killed
• Bycatch decreases significantly in deeper water (exactly what buffer zones achieve)

But science isn't enough when industry lobbying kicks into high gear.

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?Since the Deal was in place, the menhaden industry has:?
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• Flooded newspapers with paid advertisements
• Launched PR campaigns claiming economic hardship
• Pressured commissioners to roll back protections to boost their profits
• Misrepresented the science we all paid for

They're trying to erase protections that haven't even been fully implemented yet.

What CCA Needs You to Do RIGHT NOW:

ACTION 1: Email the LDWF Commission?
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TO: comments@wlf.la.gov CC: info@ccalouisiana.com

ACTION 2: Mark your calendar for the upcoming LDWF Commission Meeting.?
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DATE: Thursday, November 6 at 9:30 am

LOCATION: 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808?
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?WHY IT MATTERS: Your physical presence shows commissioners that Louisiana's fishing families are watching and engaged. Please plan to attend.

ACTION 3: Share This Information

Forward this email to every angler you know. Post on social media using #ProtectLouisianaWaters. Text your fishing buddies. Time is running out.

The Bottom Line?
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We negotiated in good faith. We brought the science. We had a deal that we didn’t like but we upheld our end of the bargain. It is not time to start negotiating again from this position.

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?We cannot let that happen. This proposal has nothing to do with science, good stewardship of the resource or anything else, just increased profits. And if you can catch over a billion pounds of fish and create this devastation and are still not “profitable”? Then the problem is with the business and not the Commission’s job to prop it up.

Your voice - multiplied by 25,000 members - is our greatest weapon against industry lobbyists and paid PR campaigns.

Louisiana's children deserve to inherit coastal waters as productive as the ones we grew up fishing. The science is on our side. Now we need to show commissioners that Louisiana's fishing families are united and engaged. Together, we fight for Louisiana's resources. Thank you for being part of this fight. Your membership and voice make all the difference.

For Louisiana's fishing future,

CCA Louisiana Leadership Team

P.S. - The NOI changes are coming. We'll update you the moment we see them. But don't wait - start emailing and planning for November 6th TODAY. The industry won't wait, and neither can we.