1. A. The season for the taking of menhaden as well as processing of menhaden shall be from the third Monday in April through November 1.
2. B. No menhaden may be landed in Louisiana ports except during the menhaden season as described in LAC 76:VII.307.A.
3. C. The menhaden season shall apply to all state and federal waters seaward of the inside-outside line described in LAC 76:VII.370, subject to the Coastal Buffer Restrictions established in Subsection D, and in Chandeleur and Breton Sounds as described in Subsection E below. All other inside waters and passes are permanently closed to menhaden fishing.

4. D. Coastal Buffer Restrictions

   1. 1. Quarter Mile Coastal Buffer Restrictions.

      1. a. Cameron Jetties to Rutherford Beach. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning one-quarter statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the eastern shore of the Cameron Jetties (Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 43.25 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 20 minutes 32.63 seconds W), thence eastward to a point west of Parish Road 364 and Rutherford Beach (Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 38.51 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 08 minutes 01.75 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      2. b. Mermentau River to Rollover. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning one-quarter statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the eastern shore of the Mermentau River where it exits Lower Mud Lake (Latitude 29 degrees 43 minutes 25.64 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 00 minutes 30.26 seconds W), thence eastward to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 33 minutes 27.24 seconds N, Longitude 92 degrees 26 minutes 41.78 seconds W. All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      3. c. Western Point Au Fer to Bayou Grand Caillou. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning one-quarter statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the western shore of Point Au Fer Island on the eastern shore of Atchafalaya Bay (Latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes 33.78 seconds N, Longitude 91 degrees 20 minutes 22.49 seconds W), thence eastward to the western most shore of Bayou Grand Caillou (Latitude 29 degrees 10 minutes 28.06 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 41.21 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      4. d. Cheniere Ronquille to Southwest Pass. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning one-quarter statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line near Cheniere Ronquille on the eastern shore of Bay Long (Latitude 29 degrees 19 minutes 02.36 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 48 minutes 43.90 seconds W), thence eastward to the westernmost shore of Southwest Pass on the Mississippi River (Latitude 28 degrees 55 minutes 50.00 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 24 minutes 59.94 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.

   2. 2. Half Mile Coastal Buffer Restrictions.

      1. a. Sabine to Holly Beach. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the Texas-Louisiana state boundary (Latitude 29 degrees 41 minutes 04.95 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 50 minutes 09.44 seconds W) to near the easternmost point of the rock breakwaters west of Holly Beach (Latitude 29 degrees 46 minutes 00.90 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 29 minutes 26.91 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      2. b. Holly Beach to Cameron Jetties. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from near the intersection of a private levee road and LA-27 (Latitude 29 degrees 46 minutes 01.54 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 24 minutes 23.00 seconds W), thence eastward to the eastern shore of the Cameron Jetties (Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 43.25 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 20 minutes 32.63 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      3. c. Rutherford Beach to Mermentau River. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from a point west of Parish Road 364 and Rutherford Beach (Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 38.51 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 08 minutes 01.75 seconds W), thence eastward to the eastern shore of the Mermentau River where it exits Lower Mud Lake (Latitude 29 degrees 43 minutes 25.64 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 00 minutes 30.26 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      4. d. Rollover to Point Au Fer. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from a point at Latitude 29 degrees 33 minutes 27.24 seconds N, Longitude 92 degrees 26 minutes 41.78 seconds W), thence eastward to Point Au Fer Island on the eastern shore of Atchafalaya Bay (Latitude 29 degrees 18 minutes 33.78 seconds N, Longitude 91 degrees 20 minutes 22.49 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      5. e. Bayou Grand Caillou to Cheniere Ronquille. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the westernmost shore of Bayou Grand Caillou (Latitude 29 degrees 10 minutes 28.06 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 56 minutes 41.21 seconds W), thence eastward to Cheniere Ronquille on the eastern shore of Bay Long (Latitude 29 degrees 19 minutes 02.36 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 48 minutes 43.90 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      6. f. Mississippi Delta to Baptiste Collette. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the western shore of Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River (Latitude 28 degrees 55 minutes 50.00 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 24 minutes 59.94 seconds W), thence eastward to a point near the mouth of Baptiste Collette (Latitude 29 degrees 24 minutes 32.91 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 17 minutes 09.76 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      7. g. Breton and Chandeleur. The menhaden season shall apply to waters one-half statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from a point near the southern shore of Breton Island (Latitude 29 degrees 27 minutes 50.76 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 51.51 seconds W), thence northward and eastward to the Louisiana-Mississippi state boundary (Latitude 30 degrees 08 minutes 14.51 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 09.62 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.

   3. 3. Enhanced Coastal Buffers.

      1. a. Restrictions off Holly Beach. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning 1 statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from a point near the intersection of a private levee road and LA-27 (Latitude 29 degrees 46 minutes 01.54 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 24 minutes 23.00 seconds W), thence westward to the easternmost point of the rock breakwaters west of Holly Beach (Latitude 29 degrees 46 minutes 00.90 seconds N, Longitude 93 degrees 29 minutes 26.91 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      2. b. Restrictions around Isle Dernieres. The menhaden season shall not apply to waters surrounding Isle Dernieres near Isles Dernieres Barrier Islands Refuge bounded by the area beginning from a point on the inside-outside line at Latitude 29 degrees 02 minutes 50.38 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 50 minutes 30.80 seconds W, thence continuing south to Latitude 29 degrees 02 minutes 21.66 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 50 minutes 32.74 seconds W, thence continuing westward to Latitude 29 degrees 02 minutes 25.99 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 51 minutes 17.43 seconds W, thence continuing northwest to Latitude 29 degrees 02 minutes 44.68 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 52 minutes 42.17 seconds W, thence continuing north-northwest to Latitude 29 degrees 03 minutes 04.67 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 53 minutes, 25.74 seconds W, thence continuing northward to Latitude 29 degrees 03 minutes 39.94 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 53 minutes 27.59 seconds W, thence continuing northeast to a point on the inside-outside line at Latitude 29 degrees 05 minutes 07.96 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 51 minutes 34.74 seconds W. All waters within the described buffer above and within the current one-half statue mile seaward buffer adjacent to this area shall be closed to menhaden harvest. All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      3. c. Restrictions off West Grand Terre Island. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning 1 statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the eastern shore of Barataria Pass (Latitude 29 degrees 16 minutes 19.03 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 56 minutes 42.19 seconds W) to the western shore of Pass Abel (Latitude 29 degrees 17 minutes 50.67 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 54 minutes 30.80 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      4. d. Restrictions off Grand Isle. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning 3 statute miles seaward of the inside-outside line from the eastern shore of Caminada Pass (Latitude 29 degrees 11 minutes 55.77 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 02 minutes 28.00 seconds W) to the eastern shore of Barataria Pass (Latitude 29 degrees 16 minutes 19.03 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 56 minutes 42.19 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.
      5. e. Restrictions off Elmer’s Island. The menhaden season shall apply to waters beginning 1 statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line from the eastern shore of Belle Pass (Latitude 29 degrees 05 minutes 10.22 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 13 minutes 24.89 seconds W) to the eastern shore of Caminada Pass (Latitude 29 degrees 11 minutes 55.77 seconds N, Longitude 90 degrees 02 minutes 28.00 seconds W). All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.

5. E. For purposes of the menhaden season, Breton and Chandeleur Sounds are described as that portion of the statutorily described inside waters as shown on a map by Raymond C. Impastato, P.L.S., dated July 20, 1992, and more particularly described as follows.

   1. 1. Beginning at the most northerly point on the south side of Taylor Pass, Latitude 29 degrees 23 minutes 00 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 20 minutes 06 seconds W which is on the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495; thence westerly to Deep Water Point, Latitude 29 degrees 23 minutes 36 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 22 minutes 54 seconds W; thence westerly to Coquille Point, Latitude 29 degrees 23 minutes 36 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 24 minutes 12 seconds W; thence westerly to Raccoon Point, Latitude 29 degrees 24 minutes 06 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 28 minutes 10 seconds W; thence northerly to the most northerly point of Sable Island, Latitude 29 degrees 24 minutes 54 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 28 minutes 27 seconds W; thence northwesterly to California Point, Latitude 29 degrees 27 minutes 33 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 31 minutes 18 seconds W; thence northerly to Telegraph Point, Latitude 29 degrees 30 minutes 57 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 57 seconds W; thence northerly to Mozambique Point, Latitude 29 degrees 37 minutes 20 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 29 minutes 11 seconds W; thence northeasterly to Grace Point (red light no. 62 on the M.R.G.O.), Latitude 29 degrees 40 minutes 40 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 23 minutes 10 seconds W; thence northerly to Deadman Point, Latitude 29 degrees 44 minutes 06 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 05 seconds W; thence easterly to Point Lydia, Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 27 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 16 minutes 12 seconds W; thence northerly to Point Comfort, Latitude 29 degrees 49 minutes 32 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 14 minutes 18 seconds W; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Mitchell Island, Latitude 29 degrees 53 minutes 42 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 50 seconds W; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Martin Island, Latitude 29 degrees 57 minutes 30 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 05 seconds W; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Brush Island, Latitude 30 degrees 02 minutes 42 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 06 seconds W; thence northerly to Door Point, Latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 45 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 08 seconds W; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Isle Au Pitre, Latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 27 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 02 seconds W; thence north (grid) a distance of 19214.60 feet to a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary, Latitude 30 degrees 12 minutes 37.1781 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 57.8925 seconds W; thence S60 degrees 20 minutes 06 seconds E (grid) along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary a distance of 31555.38 feet, Latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 57.4068 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 05 minutes 48.9240 seconds W; thence S82 degrees 53 minutes 53 seconds E (grid) continuing along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary a distance of 72649.38 feet, Latitude 30 degrees 08 minutes 14.1260 seconds N, Longitude 89 degrees 52 minutes 10.3224 seconds W; thence south (grid) a distance of 32521.58 feet to the Chandeleur Light, Latitude 30 degrees 02 minutes 52 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 18 seconds W, which is on the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495; thence southeasterly along the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495 to the point of beginning.

   2. 2. Breton Sound and Chandeleur Sound Buffer Restrictions

      1. a. The menhaden season shall not apply to waters in Chandeleur and Breton Sounds on the inside of the Chandeleur Islands bounded by the area beginning at a point on the inside-outside line at Latitude 29 degrees 44 minutes 45.35 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 54 minutes 14.82 seconds W, thence northwest to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 51.19 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 54 minutes 46.84 seconds W, thence northeast to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 49 minutes 23.13 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 48.41 seconds W, thence northwest to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 51 minutes 29.54 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 55.94 seconds W, thence northeast to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 53 minutes 11.74 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 51 minutes 34.82 seconds W, thence north to a point at Latitude 29 degrees 56 minutes 35.56 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 51 minutes 30.31 seconds W, thence northwest to a point at Latitude 30 degrees 02 minutes 58.34 seconds N, longitude 88 degrees 53 minutes 43.96 seconds W, thence east to a point on the inside-outside line at Latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 12.42 seconds N, Longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 17.49 seconds W, thence southerly along the inside-outside line to the point of beginning. All coordinates are in NAD 1983 feet.

6. F.

   1. 1. No menhaden purse seine gear shall be released or abandoned while on the water or during the course of fishing operations. In the event that gear is released, such gear shall be marked in an appropriate manner to facilitate retrieval and effectively warn of navigational hazards caused by the released gear. Such gear shall be retrieved from the water within 48 hours of release. Failure to retrieve the gear within the prescribed period shall be considered abandonment of the gear.
   2. 2. If the contents of menhaden purse seine gear are released during the course of fishing operations, all reasonable attempts to retrieve any dead menhaden and any dead bycatch from the environment shall commence within 12 hours of the event. Retrieval efforts shall continue until the released contents of the menhaden purse seine have been removed from the environment to the extent practicable.

   3. 3. Any unintentional or intentional release of purse seine gear or contents of purse seine gear by the commercial reduction menhaden fishery shall be reported to the Enforcement Division within two hours of such release. This reporting shall be by email and by phone call to the Enforcement Division dispatch and communications center. The report shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

      1. a. the date and approximate time of the release,
      2. b. the species of fish released,
      3. c. an estimated number of fish released,
      4. d. an estimate of the disposition of the fish released,
      5. e. the vessel which released the fish,
      6. f. to the extent available and practicable, photographic or video documentation of sufficient resolution to clearly depict the scope and composition of the release,
      7. g. the coordinates of the location of the release, and
      8. h. the causative factors of the release of fish.
   4. 4. Any release of the contents of a menhaden purse seine as set forth in this Subsection shall be considered waste of a fishery resource and subject to civil fine and restitution for the value of the wasted fish. Failure to retrieve menhaden purse seine gear from the environment or the released contents of a menhaden purse seine to the extent practicable, as set forth in this Subsection shall constitute a commercial littering violation pursuant to R.S. 30:2531.3.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:6(25)(a), R.S. 56:313, R.S. 56:315, R.S. 56:326.3, and R.S. 56:409.1.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 5:329 (October 1979), amended LR 14:547 (August 1988), LR 19:58 (January 1993), LR 19:1179 (September 1993), LR 48:1588 (June 2022), LR 49:514 (March 2023), LR 50:830 (June 2024), LR 52:372 (March 2026).