Saving Seafood

Offshore wind companies pitch projects in the Gulf of Mexico, signaling interest in region

December 16, 2024 — After a period of stagnation for the offshore wind sector, a federal agency just announced that two new areas in the Gulf of Mexico have attracted interest from energy companies — a hopeful sign for a fledgling industry that Louisiana has sought to boost.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, which oversees offshore wind development, said Thursday that two areas off the coast of Southeast Texas have “competitive interest” for future business after two companies expressed interest in building wind farms there.

The 142,000 acres of note will likely be included in the next wind lease auction, scheduled for 2026, alongside other Gulf areas identified as apt for the technology.

While the companies’ proposed wind farms most likely would not supply energy to Louisiana, they suggest that the industry is eyeing the Gulf region for future projects.

Read the full article at NOLA

Why Texas gets 9 miles of off-shore territory but Louisiana gets 3 — and how it could change

December 2, 2024 — U.S. Rep. Garret Graves intends to sprint toward the finish line for the 118th Congress, which convenes Monday and disbands in a month, by pushing an issue he has been working since he was a Capitol Hill staffer 20 years ago.

“This has been an ongoing effort for me, for many years, to give Louisiana parity,” Graves said.

Graves, a Baton Rouge Republican who steps down when the 119th Congress assumes office on Jan. 3, teamed with Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, on a bill that would give Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama the same offshore sovereignty as Texas and Florida — moving the boundary line from three nautical miles to nine — thereby allowing Louisiana control of more energy exploration and fishing rights.

Graves said last week in announcing the Offshore Parity Act of 2024, “I’m not sure who was negotiating for us generations ago, but that is just ridiculous.”

History, rather than bonehead negotiators, played a greater role in setting state sovereignty over offshore waters.

Read the full story at NOLA.com

Fish kills following Hurricane Francine

September 19, 2024 — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) requests the public’s help spotting fish kills that may occur throughout south-central and southeast Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.

Through sampling and monitoring efforts, LDWF biologists have learned that restocking following storms is not usually necessary and will not speed up the recovery process unless there is a complete kill in a closed system. However, we need to know where fish kills occur and how extensive they are to monitor recovery and consider management tools going forward, including habitat restoration or stocking if needed. Please help us by reporting fish kills in your area.

Call 1-800-442-2511 or your local fisheries office to report a fish kill.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

LOUISIANA: Hurricane Francine Reaches Louisiana, Bringing Strong Winds and Heavy Rain to Wider Gulf Coast

September 12, 2024 — Tropical Storm Francine strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night, with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour and gusts of up to 101 mph recorded by an oil platform Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm prompted Louisiana residents to move inland, and oil and gas companies to stop a quarter of their production, according to the United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, as Reuters reported. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for several areas.

The hurricane center said hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge were expected to begin this afternoon.

“Outer rainbands are starting to move onshore of the coast of southern Louisiana. These conditions will continue to deteriorate over the next couple of hours. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Read the full article at ecowatch

Gulf Shrimpers Warn New Offshore Wind Interest off Texas, Louisiana Could Harm Industry

August 28, 2024 — An unsolicited proposal from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind for two commercial leases for wind energy development off the coast of Texas and/or Louisiana has raised significant new concerns for the U.S. shrimp industry, the Southern Shrimp Alliance said in a statement.

The Hecate proposal, which may potentially support hydrogen production, has the potential to close fishing grounds, interrupt maritime radar, and harm sensitive species and habitats for which shrimpers are held accountable under federal statutes, according to the SSA.

Read the full article at Seafoodnews.com

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

LOUISIANA: Louisiana declares disaster amid crawfish shortage

March 26, 2024 — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to  crawfish businesses in the U.S. state of Louisiana that were affected by extreme drought after the state’s governor issued a disaster declaration earlier in March 2024.

“The SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Louisiana small businesses affected by the drought and resulting crawfish shortage,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities weather this environmental and economic challenge.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

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

LOUISIANA: Louisiana extends compromise menhaden fishing buffers

February 16, 2024 — Louisiana fisheries regulators voted Feb. 15 to potentially extend a current ¼-mile menhaden purse seine buffer zone to ½-mile coastwide, pulling back from a 1-mile setback requirement for menhaden fishermen.

In a unanimous vote the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission amend its earlier October 2023 notice of intent, reducing the proposed 1-mile coastwide menhaden fishing buffer to a half-mile coastwide buffer.

The amended notice would still set a 1-mile buffer for menhaden crews working in waters off Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. Commercial and recreational fishing advocates alike expressed support for the decision, after hard-fought months of debate to convince state officials.

Omega Protein menhaden processors and their fishing partners, Ocean Harvesters, say they support the commission’s decision “and look forward to a productive and safe 2024 fishing season,” starting April 15.

“Although none of the stakeholder groups achieved exactly what they were advocating for, that often makes the best compromise – to achieve an agreement through mutual concessions,” said Ben Landry, vice president of public affairs for Ocean Harvesters.

Read the full article at National Fisherman