Saving Seafood

UL Lafayette biologists discuss new research on using invasive carp as crawfish bait

March 3, 2026 — The crawfish industry annually contributes more than $300 million to Louisiana’s economy. A research study at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is proving it could also help control invasive carp in Louisiana rivers.

Dr. Kelly Robinson and Dr. Emily Kane from the School of Biological Sciences in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences join La Louisiane podcast to discuss their research, funded by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, that tests the effectiveness of invasive carp as crawfish bait. The project, conducted in partnership with UL Lafayette Graduate School students and Nicholls State University, could incentivize large-scale harvest of invasive carp by commercial fishermen.

Learn more by listening to the conversation with La Louisiane managing editor Marie Elizabeth Oliver on KRVS. You can also watch it on UL Lafayette’s YouTube channel or read an edited transcript below.

Read the full article at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

LOUISIANA: Amendment seeks aid for Louisiana’s wild-caught crawfishermen

August 4, 2025 — Two Louisiana congressmen, Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins, have introduced an amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to support the state’s wild-caught crawfishermen during disaster relief.

The proposed amendment seeks to expand fishery disaster relief programs to include wild-caught crawfish, which currently do not qualify for disaster assistance under existing U.S. Department of Agriculture or Magnuson-Stevens Act provisions. This change would allow the Secretary of Commerce to declare a fishery disaster for red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish, providing relief in the event of natural or man-made disasters.

Read the full article at CenLANow.com

Louisiana lawmakers introduce bill to expand disaster relief for crawfishermen

August 1, 2025 — Louisiana lawmakers have introduced new bipartisan legislation aimed at providing federal disaster relief to crawfish fisheries,

Currently, wild-caught crawfish are not eligible for disaster relief through the U.S. Department of Agriculture or under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which governs most federal fishery management.

The Fisheries Modernization Act (H.R. 4800), introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., and Cleo Fields, D-La., would modify the legislation to specifically include red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish — two species central to Louisiana’s wild-caught industry. If passed, the measure would allow the Commerce Secretary to declare a fishery disaster for these species in the event of environmental catastrophes, infrastructure failures, or other crises that lead to significant drops in population or revenue.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

LOUISIANA: Louisiana representatives want to make crawfish eligible for federal disaster relief funds

July 31, 2025 — U.S. federal lawmakers from the state of Louisiana have introduced a bill that would make wild-caught crawfish eligible for the Department of Commerce’s fishery disaster relief program.

“Louisiana’s crawfish harvesters are a vital part of our state’s economy and heritage. This legislation not only recognizes that legacy, but it also ensures that when future disasters hit, they won’t be left behind. Including wild-caught crawfish under the Magnuson-Stevens Act is a simple yet practical way to give this industry the federal support it deserves,” U.S. Representative Cleo Fields (D-Louisiana) said in a statement.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA announces financial relief for drought-stricken Louisiana crawfish producers

May 15, 2024 — Louisiana crawfish producers suffering from drought conditions now have access to emergency financial relief, following requests from state officials and representatives for federal action.

Last year was a difficult one for Southern crawfish producers, with extreme heat and a subsequent freeze causing a sudden decrease in crawfish production. The Louisiana State University’s Agriculture Center estimated the potential losses from the extreme weather to be nearly USD 140 million [EUR 130 million].

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Crawfish Sales Are Crawling Back to East Texas Amidst Shortages in Louisiana

March 15, 2024 — If you’re a crawfish lover, you know finding this delicacy in east Texas has been a challenge. With a shortage in Louisiana restaurants here have taken a hit.

However, with crawfish boil season around the corner, some places are seeing lower prices and more crawfish on the way.

“Everybody that loves crawfish have been looking for them,” said Grace Murphy the owner of Double M Wholesale Seafood.

She says they’re getting back on track in delivering crawfish to their customers.

“Now, we are at the point where] we are getting a lot more in, deliver restaurants need,” said Murphy.

They serve over 30 restaurants across East Texas, from Nacogdoches to Terrell. So, when the drought in Louisiana dried up the crawfish supply they felt the pressure.

Read the full article at Seafoodnews.com

MISSISSIPPI: Crawfish prices start to drop in Mississippi

March 7, 2024 — Crawfish prices are starting to drop after last summer’s drought led to near-record high costs.

The Crawfish App, which averages the prices from more than 800 crawfish vendors, estimates the price per pound of boiled crawfish is $7.49 or $8.99 for live crawfish. That’s compared to more than $13.00 per pound back in January.

Elvin LeFebvre, the owner of Triangle Seafood and Po-boys in Hattiesburg, said they’ve seen a steady drop in prices over the last month, but they’re not receiving as many crawfish as usual.

Read the full article at WHLT

Louisiana’s drastic crawfish shortage leads US congressman to call for federal aid

February 10, 2024 — Experts are predicting a drastic shortage of crawfish in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and in response, U.S. Representative Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) is seeking federal financial relief.

“It’s going to be the worst season ever,” Louisiana State University AgCenter Representative Mark Shirley told the Louisiana Radio Network. “The population is just not there.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

LOUISIANA: Louisiana seeing a tough start to crawfish season in 2024

January 16, 2024 — Boiled Louisiana crawfish go for as much as $16.99 a pound in the New Orleans metropolitan area. This is as the local crawfish industry faces many problems in this new year.

Seafood businesses said last year’s drought and the freezing weather are the causes.

Denny Lacoste is the owner of Dennis’ Seafood in Metairie. Lacoste said 2024 has not been good for his Metairie business.

Pots that sit in his kitchen would usually hold lots of crawfish this time of year. But right now, they are empty.

“This does not look good right now,” Lacoste said.

The 2023 drought killed crawfish that grow underground. This leaves Lacoste with no mudbugs to sell.

“It’s a big part of the business,” he said. They’re saying they are going to be very expensive and hard to get.”

He said crawfish would cost him $10 a pound wholesale. Lacoste said that is not something he is willing to do.

Read the full article at Fox 8

US CBP to redistribute USD 2.6 million in seafood-related antidumping duties

June 13, 2023 — U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to redistribute USD 2,598,890 (EUR 2,417,871) collected from antidumping and countervailing duties on imported seafood products to domestic producers in the 2023 fiscal year.

The vast majority of the collected funds came from crawfish tail meat imported from China, which accounted for USD 2.3 million (EUR 2.1 million). Vietnamese frozen fish fillets were the other major contributor, accounting for USD 302,754 (EUR 281,676). CBP also collected a total of USD 3,270 (EUR 3,042) for frozen warmwater shrimp and prawns imported from Ecuador, Brazil, India, and Thailand.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource