Concerns raised by the public over potential menhaden fishing violations in Terrebonne Parish prompted an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), but no wrongdoing was found. On July 24, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents conducted a compliance check on menhaden boats operating near Taylor's Bayou and Wine Island. This action followed several citizen reports suggesting that the boats were fishing too close to the shore, violating the recently modified buffer zone regulations.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in a statement obtained by their official news release, emphasized their appreciation for citizen vigilance, the boats in question were discovered to be fishing legally, the agents reviewed GPS tracking data during the compliance checks and confirmed the boats had not veered into the off-limits area. According to the established rules, commercial menhaden fishing vessels must maintain a one-half-mile distance from the coast, increasing to one mile around Grand Terre, Elmers Island, and Holly Beach, and even further to three miles around Grand Isle.
Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries, Tyler Bosworth, commented on the importance of public involvement, saying, "I would like to thank all members of the public who are participating in LDWF’s mission to conserve, protect, and promote the vital fisheries of our state." The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures last year were aimed at safeguarding coastal habitats by establishing these buffer zones, with detailed maps and coordinates available on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website for reference.
On July 24, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents boarded two menhaden fishing boats. The captains cooperated and allowed access to their GPS systems, which showed the boats were fishing outside the restricted buffer zone near Raccoon Island, as required. This confirmed they were following the rules. The Department encourages the public to report any suspicious activity to help protect Louisiana’s ecosystems and fisheries.
