Louisiana Shrinks Buffer Zones for Menhaden Fishing
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) has approved a proposal to reduce the buffer zones for menhaden fishing near the state's beaches. The new rule shortens the protected area from a half-mile to a quarter-mile around most Louisiana beaches.
Background and Controversy
This decision follows tensions between the menhaden fishing industry and environmental groups in 2023, triggered by net spills that caused hundreds of thousands of dead fish to wash ashore.
Reactions from Environmental Groups
“Disappointing for anglers, conservationists, and those who care about Louisiana’s coastal ecosystems and habitat,” stated the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) in response to the LWFC’s vote.
“In 2024, anglers, conservationists, and the menhaden industry reached a compromise to establish modest protections for Louisiana’s shallow coastal waters by setting a half-mile buffer off most Louisiana beaches,” said TRCP Director of Fisheries Chris Macaluso. “What happened today is nothing less than the industry and their political allies backing out of that deal.”
Industry Perspective
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition, representing the commercial menhaden fishing industry, described the LWFC's decision as a balanced approach that prioritizes scientific considerations.
Summary
The LWFC's reduction of menhaden fishing buffer zones to a quarter-mile sparked sharp criticism from conservationists but was welcomed by the fishing industry as a science-based compromise.