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.
The NOI represents a hybrid approach - modestly increasing overall restricted area while refining the rule's design based on habitat sensitivity, historical fishing access, and scientific input.
Commission Advances Restoration and Science-Based Coast Protections
The Chandeleur Islands, part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, have eroded over decades due to storms and sea level rise. A $360 million restoration led by CPRA, LDWF, and federal partners is rebuilding dunes, marshes, and nesting grounds critical to migratory birds and sea turtles. Expanding protections here reflects the state's goal of safeguarding fragile ecosystems while preserving productive working waters.
By expanding protections around the Chandeleur and Isle Dernieres islands, the Commission's proposal reflects the state's broader coastal protection goals - safeguarding Louisiana's most fragile ecosystems while preserving access to productive working waters.
How the Menhaden Industry's Responsible Management Reinforces the State's Science-Based Coastal Policy
Louisiana's menhaden fishery operates under strict management and oversight. It is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a sustainable fishery and routinely collaborates with state and federal agencies to support research and monitoring.
Recent data from the State's $1 million taxpayer-funded bycatch study, conducted with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, show that red drum comprise just 3.4% of all red drum landings in Louisiana's menhaden fishery. In addition, the industry's total bycatch of all species remains below the 5% cap established by state legislation. These findings helped guide LDWF's determination that certain nearshore areas could safely reopen without harming red drum or other species, allowing for a more targeted and equitable rule.
The fleet has also modernized its operations. Since 2023, companies have invested over $6.5 million in Spectra/Plateena net technology, significantly reducing the risk of accidental fish spills. Further innovations, such as hose-end cage systems, have helped lower incidental red drum mortality by 24%.
These measures demonstrate the industry's ongoing investment in responsible, science-based practices. The Commission's modified buffer proposal reflects that same philosophy - pairing environmental stewardship with a commitment to sustaining the working communities that define Louisiana's coast.
An Industry Anchoring Coastal Communities
Beyond environmental stewardship, the menhaden fishery remains a cornerstone of Louisiana's coastal economy. The sector supports more than 2,000 jobs, generates over $419 million in annual economic output, and purchases roughly $62 million in goods and services across 32 coastal parishes.
These jobs sustain year-round livelihoods along the Gulf. Menhaden products - including fishmeal and fish oil - are essential to U.S. aquaculture, pet food, and animal feed supply chains.
Balancing Protection and Productivity
The Commission's updated NOI underscores Louisiana's long-standing approach to resource management: protecting what's fragile, sustaining what's working, and grounding decisions in science. For the menhaden industry, this update represents another instance of compromise - accepting new restrictions around ecologically sensitive zones while gaining carefully reviewed access to waters found to be less at risk.
While the new rule increases protected waters, it reflects collaborative input - ensuring changes are targeted and that coastal communities continue to thrive alongside restoration priorities.
Looking Ahead
The proposed buffer adjustments will next move through Louisiana's formal rulemaking process, beginning with publication in the Louisiana Register and a period for public comment before any final adoption.
Louisiana's success has always depended on stewardship and strength - protecting land and water while sustaining the people who rely on them. The Commission's latest action continues that balance, advancing a coast that is both productive and protected.