Concerns from recreational fisherman about the negative impacts to Louisiana’s fisheries resources by the commercial menhaden industry, including potential impacts to sensitive coastal estuaries, have been the subject of fierce debate for some time. Similar to the gill net conflict in the 1990’s, user conflict issues between the recreational fishing community and the commercial menhaden industry have reached a point of critical concern.
In 2024, in response to public opposition, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission considered a Notice of Intent (NOI) that would have imposed new regulations on the commercial menhaden fishing industry that included a 1-mile coastwide buffer, a 3-mile buffer around Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach in Southwest Louisiana and included new reporting and clean-up requirements in the event of intentional or unintentional spills. The proposed regulations were celebrated by the recreational fishing community but met with stiff resistance from the menhaden industry.
Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) supported the proposed NOI and urged the Commission to vote to establish the 1-mile buffer as well as commit to ensuring adequate enforcement.
Ultimately, the original NOI was amended and called for a ½ mile coastwide buffer, a one-mile buffer around Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach in southwest Louisiana and a 3-mile buffer around the Grand Isle area. It also imposed new reporting and clean-up regulations for intentional and unintentional fish spills and equipment malfunctions. The new reporting rules were a holdover from the original NOI. The amended NOI was unanimously approved by the Commission, and they allowed the new regulations to go into effect immediately to ensure the industry began following the new rules when the 2024 commercial menhaden fishing season began on April 15, 2024. The approved NOI was not what the Louisiana Wildlife Federation had hoped for but was considered a step in the right direction, and the Federation supported the compromise.
Now, barely eighteen months after that compromise, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, at their October meeting, directed the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work with the menhaden fishing industry to craft and submit a new Notice of Intent for the November 2025 Commission meeting. While no specifics were provided by the Commission as to the need for another NOI, we will presume that the menhaden fishing industry is seeking to reduce or rescind the recently agreed to ½ mile buffer restrictions.
LWF remains consistent with our 2024 position and continues to advocate for the original 1-mile coastwide buffer and a 3-mile buffer around Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach in Southwest Louisiana and Grand Isle. Additionally, the Federation supports a 1-mile outside and 3-mile inside buffer zone around the Chandeleur Islands, an area of critical importance to fish species such as the Atlantic Tarpon, protected sea turtles, and the endangered marine seagrass ecosystem.
The protection of Louisiana’s marine resources and access to quality fishing opportunities for Louisiana residents is important. If Louisiana is considering changes to a buffer zone, we urge the Commissioners to establish the one-mile and three-mile buffers as well as a commitment to ensuring adequate enforcement. We also encourage the Commission and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to continue to examine menhaden harvest off Louisiana’s coast, not just from a by-catch perspective, but from a more comprehensive approach that balances the distinct user group conflicts. This includes people enjoying our beaches and anglers in near-shore areas along our coast.
Other Gulf states, including neighboring Mississippi, which also allows reduction fishing, have established buffers near sensitive areas like beaches and barrier islands and in areas where user conflicts are greatest. Texas has established buffer zones as well near passes and barrier islands where menhaden harvest is prohibited. We believe a similar step is needed in Louisiana to protect fisheries resources, help maintain the integrity of beaches, barrier islands, and marshes and limit the negative encounters between Louisiana anglers and business owners and commercial menhaden fishing vessels.
You can submit your written comments to support a one-mile buffer zone for menhaden fishing to comments@wlf.la.gov
You can show up to voice your comments to support a one-mile menhaden buffer zone at the Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 9:30 AM LWFC meeting. LDWF Headquarters- Joe L. Herring Room, 2000 Quail Road, Baton Rouge, La., 70808
For more information or questions, contact LWF Advocacy Manager Rick Owens at rick@lawildlifefed.org.