Saving Seafood

Trump administration releases its expanded oil and gas drilling plan

November 21, 2025 — Californians were already gearing up for battle even before the Trump administration released a draft plan on Nov. 20 that proposes a broad expansion of oil and gas drilling and lease sales along America’s coasts, including California, Alaska and west of Florida.

The Department of the Interior announced as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of 27 existing Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, covering roughly 1.27 billion acres. That includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of America and six along the Pacific coast.

The plan quickly drew opposition from state leaders and environmental groups – and support from some business organizations. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office fully opposes the plan.

Read the full article at USA Today

LOUISIANA: Oyster enforcement in Louisiana nets 10 immigration arrests

November 17, 2025 — Ten people were arrested earlier this month for alleged immigration violations during a joint state and federal patrol of oyster beds in St. Bernard and Terrebonne parishes.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported the arrests Nov. 10 following its enforcement efforts with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard. The agencies conducted their operation Nov. 3-4.

Read the full article at Louisiana Illuminator

LOUISIANA: Commission Proposes Menhaden Buffer Expansion to Protect Chandeleur Islands and Other Sensitive Areas

November 17, 2025 — Louisiana’s menhaden fishery has long been defined by respect – respect for the Gulf, for science, and for the coastal communities that depend on both. This month, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) to adjust nearshore buffer zones for menhaden fishing, the latest step in Louisiana’s effort to balance ecological protection with sustainable working waters – expanding protections in sensitive areas while refining limits in less fragile zones.

The adjustment follows a directive from the Commission to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to consult with both the menhaden industry and recreational fishermen to strengthen existing rules. The resulting proposal increases the buffer zone by over 4% – from 264 to 276 square miles – enhancing protections in sensitive habitats while adjusting historically important fishing grounds, where Louisiana’s menhaden industry has fished for over 75 years.

What the Buffer Zone Adjustment Includes

The proposal expands protections in Louisiana’s most ecologically sensitive areas while restoring access in long-fished waters where new research shows limited environmental impact. The newly proposed rule would modify existing menhaden buffer zones along several parts of Louisiana’s coast:

  • Expanded protections in the Chandeleur Islands and around Isle Dernieres, and adjusted buffer areas in select regions (Cameron Jetties to Rutherford Beach, Mermentau River to Rollover, Point Au Fer to Bayou Grand Caillou, Bay Long to Southwest Pass) based on LDWF’s scientific assessment.
  • Creation of a new open-water connection between Baptiste Collette and Breton Island, improving alignment between existing buffer zones and coastal geography within Breton and Chandeleur Sounds.
  • Technical and organizational updates, including clearer structure and the addition of GPS coordinates for existing buffers around Elmer’s Island, Grand Isle, and Grand Terre, enhancing clarity, transparency, and enforcement.

Read the full article at NOLA.com

GEORGIA: Right whales return to Georgia coast

November 10, 2025 — North Atlantic right whales have returned to their calving grounds off Georgia earlier than expected. Or at least two of them did.

Anglers videoed the two endangered whales off Hilton Head, S.C., and Savannah Wednesday afternoon, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Two right whales were also reported near Cape Lookout, N.C., on Saturday but researchers couldn’t determine if they were the same whales.

“It is possible they are the same pair that was seen off Cape Lookout on Saturday,” DNR senior wildlife biologist Jessica Thompson told The Current GA. “The sighting documentation was similar. They had video that made it clear it was two adult right whales, but not clear enough to confirm ID. There was also an unconfirmed sighting at another location in N.C. of a single adult. No others have been seen in the Southeast yet. These are the early birds.”

The state marine mammal of Georgia, North Atlantic right whales are one of the most imperiled large whales, with a population estimated last month at 384 individuals. These bus-sized mammals migrate more than 1,000 miles each fall from Canada and New England to the Southeast. The waters off Georgia, north Florida and South Carolina are considered their core calving area, but they usually arrive in late November or early December.

Thompson, leader of the agency’s work with marine mammals, called the early sighting of these two uncommon but not unheard of. It did create an urgency to “make sure boaters know right whales are back and everyone is aware of the need to be vigilant.” She also encouraged boaters to report all sightings and stay at least 500 yards from any whale seen.

Read the full article at GPB

LOUISIANA: Grocery stores criticized by Louisiana senators for selling possibly tainted shrimp

November 10, 2025 — Louisiana Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) are worried about the safety of imported shrimp sold in major grocery stores nationwide.

The senators sent letters this week to the CEOs of Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, saying the stores continue to sell imported shrimp that could contain Cesium-137, a radioactive substance linked to cancer and other health problems

“Ensuring that American families have access to safe, quality food is essential for us to advance President Trump’s agenda to Make America Healthy Again,” the senators wrote.

Read the full article at Yahoo! News

LOUISIANA: Louisiana reduces size of menhaden fishing buffer zones

November 7, 2025 — The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) is moving forward with a proposal to reduce the size of buffer zones for menhaden fishing near the state’s beaches, a move praised by the industry and criticized by environmental groups.

The LWFC voted to shrink the buffer zones around Louisiana beaches to a quarter-mile, removing a prior half-mile buffer zone that was put in place in 2024. The decision followed a clash between the menhaden fishing industry and environmentalists in 2023 after net spills lead to hundreds of thousands of dead fish washing up on shore.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

LOUISIANA: In win for commercial menhaden industry, LWF Commission approves controversial loosened regulations

November 7, 2025 — The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Thursday advanced a plan to decrease the size of a no-fishing zone after members of the commercial menhaden fishing industry complained that guidelines put in place last year had cut their haul by up to 25 percent.

The panel last year had restricted menhaden boats to areas at least a half-mile offshore at points west of the Mississippi River. At its meeting Thursday, members voted 4-3 to approve a notice of intent to decrease the buffer zone to a quarter-mile in some areas, but increase it in other areas deemed more sensitive.

Hundreds of recreational anglers in attendance opposed the pullback. They had wanted the commission to push the buffer zone out to a mile offshore.

Read the full article at WBRZ

LOUISIANA: Gulf Menhaden Industry Replies: Backwoods University Hosts Ben Landry of Ocean Harvesters

November 5, 2025 — The following was released by the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition:

Last week, Backwoods University, a podcast series from the MeatEater network, explored the menhaden fishing industry, known locally as “pogie” fishing, along the Louisiana coast. At that time, host Lake Pickle was unable to reach a representative from the commercial sector. Since then, he connected with Ben Landry, Vice President of Public Affairs for Ocean Harvesters, who joined him for a bonus episode to provide the industry’s perspective. “My job is not to tell anyone how to think,” Pickle said. “My job is to try my best to present both sides and let people make up their own mind.”

The conversation comes as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prepares to vote on changes to buffer zone laws, which determine how close to shore menhaden boats may operate.

Listen to the full episode here

The episode provides an in-depth look at how the Gulf’s commercial menhaden fleet views issues of sustainability, regulation, and coexistence with recreational fishing communities.

The conversation begins by clarifying a common misconception about ownership. Both Ocean Harvesters and Westbank Fishing are American-owned and operated, using U.S.-flagged vessels. While processing companies such as Omega Protein and Daybrook Fisheries have foreign parent ownership, this structure does not affect or direct fishing operations or change the domestic nature of the fleets.

A major focus of the discussion is the ongoing debate over Louisiana’s buffer zones, the designated distance commercial menhaden vessels must maintain from shore. The industry supports retaining the current half-mile buffer across most of the coast while allowing quarter-mile zones only in select, low-use areas without development, where recreational fishing is minimal. Larger, established buffer zones around Grand Isle and Holly Beach would remain intact. The goal, as outlined, is to balance access to nearshore menhaden schools, where the fish naturally congregate, while minimizing user conflicts on the water.

The episode also explores recent scientific work on bycatch, particularly a report indicating that about 85% of non-target fish survive when they remain in the net during pumping. However, survival drops sharply if fish enter the pump. To address this, menhaden fleets are working to redesign and standardized hose-cage systems to prevent large fish, such as red drum, from being pulled through the hose. The conversation describes how different configurations were tested across vessels this season to further improve survival rates. It is believed that this effort could dramatically reduce the bycatch mortality of the fishery.

Beyond bycatch mitigation, the industry has invested more than $3 million combined in stronger, more durable nets, significantly reducing accidental spills and tears, from about 15-20 per year just a few years ago to two this past season. These measures form part of a broader effort to demonstrate that the fishery can operate responsibly while maintaining jobs for Gulf Coast crews.

Pickle and Landry also discuss a recent incident involving menhaden boats and tarpon anglers. Tracking data showed vessels operating roughly three-quarters of a mile away from recreational boats during a legal set. The crews reported that any tarpon or sharks caught were released alive. The conversation emphasizes the importance of lowering tensions, maintaining open communication, and avoiding situations that could escalate conflict on the water.

Throughout the interview, Landry reflects on the long history of the menhaden fishery, which has operated for over 80 years in the Gulf and more than 145 years on the Atlantic coast, and on its continued role as a working-waterfront industry that supports local jobs. Both Pickle and Landry agree that improving understanding and dialogue between sectors is essential to maintaining sustainable fisheries and safe operations.

The episode closes with an invitation to Backwoods University from Ocean Harvesters to tour its facilities in Moss Point, Mississippi, and Abbeville, Louisiana, to see firsthand how the fishery operates.

The menhaden, or “pogie,” fishery has supplied fertilizer, animal feed, bait, and omega-3-rich oils for over a century. Menhaden are small, oily fish that play a vital role in coastal ecosystems while supporting significant local employment. The industry operates under state and regional management and is subject to ongoing scientific monitoring to ensure sustainable harvest practices.

Backwoods University is a bi-weekly podcast series from the MeatEater network examining the intersection of outdoor life, conservation, and culture. Hosted by Lake Pickle, a lifelong hunter, conservationist, and Mississippian, the show highlights diverse perspectives on environmental and policy issues affecting the modern outdoors.

About the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) is a collective of menhaden fishermen, related businesses, and supporting industries. Comprised of businesses along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition conducts media and public outreach on behalf of the menhaden industry to ensure that members of the public, media, and government are informed of important issues, events, and facts about the fishery.

Press Contact
Menhaden Fisheries Coalition
(202) 595-1212
www.menhaden.org

From Fraud to Fresh: How Shrimp Festivals Are Making Authenticity a Badge of Honor

November 4, 2025 — The following was released by SeaD Consulting:

For the second consecutive year, every vendor at the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid has been verified as serving 100% local, wild-caught Gulf shrimp, reaffirming the event’s commitment to authenticity, transparency, and support for Louisiana’s fishing communities.

Through independent testing by SeaD Consulting, using the company’s groundbreaking RIGHTTest system, each participating vendor’s shrimp passed genetic verification onsite—delivering results in under two hours. This testing program has set a new national standard for seafood festivals, ensuring attendees are served genuine Gulf shrimp from regional waters.

This marks a broader trend across the South: festivals are now holding themselves accountable to the standards they advertise. Last year, SeaD Consulting exposed vendors at the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores and the Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in Morgan City for selling imported shrimp while promoting “local” seafood. Following those revelations, the National Shrimp Festival introduced a Chief Shrimp Investigator role and, with support from the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama, contracted SeaD Consulting to test every vendor. Non-compliant vendors faced fines and were barred from selling until they sourced local, wild-caught shrimp confirmed through RIGHTTest verification.

Meanwhile, rumors of imported shrimp sales at New Orleans Jazz Fest prompted a round of genetic testing this year — with only one vendor found out of compliance. Across the Gulf Coast, festivals are recognizing that consumer trust and community sustainability depend on serving what they promise.

“It’s hard to believe that we have to ensure compliance through genetic testing, but here we are,” said Dana Honn, of the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid. “The flood of imports in the U.S. has deeply impacted our shrimping communities, and we’re proud to be in our second year providing education, transparency, and support for our coastal fishers. We have to save them. I don’t want a world where we don’t have a seafaring community providing local fresh shrimp.”

The Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid’s unwavering commitment to authenticity not only boosts consumer confidence but also helps preserve Louisiana’s maritime heritage. Vendors at the festival worked directly with local shrimpers to keep their supply fresh and Gulf-sourced throughout the weekend, reinforcing the event’s theme: SOS — Save Our Shrimpers.

About the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid

A Celebration of Our Shrimpers and Their Coastal Communities

The Louisiana Shrimp Festival/Shrimp Aid aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by local shrimp and fishing industries while creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities and the broader seafood sector. Featuring award-winning musical artists, top New Orleans restaurants and pop-ups, and family-friendly programming, the festival embodies the spirit of Louisiana culture. The annual “Shrimp Aid” pavilion brings together shrimpers, chefs, and industry leaders for panels, discussions, and documentary screenings focused on sustaining local fisheries.

The Second Annual Louisiana Shrimp Festival took place October 18–19, 2025, at The Broadside in Mid-City New Orleans, with all proceeds directed toward efforts supporting shrimpers and building stronger seafood markets.

About SeaD Consulting

SeaD (Seafood Development) Consulting partners with seafood producers, researchers, agencies, and environmental organizations to advance transparency and innovation across the seafood sector. Through its RIGHTTest™ genetic verification platform, SeaD helps eliminate seafood mislabeling and substitution fraud while promoting sustainable, traceable sourcing practices.

For more information, visit www.seadconsulting.com or contact Glenda Beasley at gb@seadconsulting.com or 512.750.5199.

Disclaimer: SeaD’s testing and reporting is intended to be used as an investigatory tool to assist the restaurant industry’s fight against seafood mislabeling and is not intended for use in any legal proceedings, nor may SeaD’s data, testing, or reporting be used in any legal proceeding without the express written authorization of SeaD.

MISSISSIPPI: By backing sustainable open ocean aquaculture, Congress can help boost local seafood production

October 30, 2025 — As we celebrate National Seafood Month this October, we must take a moment to acknowledge how and why we’re falling short on providing Mississippians with fresh local seafood.

We’re faced with a real problem: we do not have enough wild-caught fish to meet the growing demand. And this has consequences that reverberate through our kitchens and the commercial fishing industry.

For consumers, this means less American-grown seafood on our plates. And as waters continue to get warmer and fish stocks shrink or move, it could also mean fewer jobs for professional fishermen like me and fewer fish on plates. While regional fishery management councils have taken steps to protect fish stocks, the truth is wild-caught fisheries alone cannot meet the growing demand for seafood in the U.S. We must supplement fishermen’s efforts with science-based, sustainable open ocean aquaculture.

Read the full article at The Meridian Star