I
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT
OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
2009-2010 Annual Report
WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
COMMISSION
Stephen Sagrera, Chairman
Patrick C. Morrow
Stephen J. Oats
Ann L. Taylor
Ronald Graham
Michael C. Voisin
Billy Broussard
BOBBY JINDAL, Governor
ROBERT J. BARHAM, Secretary
Lois Azzarello, Undersecretary
Randy Pausina, Assistant Secretary
Jimmy Anthony, Assistant Secretary
DIVISION ADMINISTRATORS
Joe Shepard, Fisheries
Kenneth Ribbeck, Wildlife
Robert Love, Coastal & Nongame Resources
Winton Vidrine, Enforcement
CONTENTS
03
09
21
69
02
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT & FINANCE
OFFICE OF WILDLIFE
OFFICE OF FISHERIES
11. Computer Center
13. Human Resources
13. Licensing
14. Fiscal
16. Public Information
20. Property Control
05. Enforcement
FROM THE SECRETARY
23.
Wildlife
36. Coastal Nongame & Resources
71. Environmental & Habitat Disaster Recovery
81. Access, Opportunity & Outreach
84. Habitat Stewardship & Resource Management
104. Administrative
105. Louisiana Seafood Promotion
& Marketing Board
106.
Socioeconomic Research & Development
2
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
As fiscal year 2009-2010 ended on June 30, Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) staff was in the midst of a concerted
response to a disaster that, in scope, was unlike any seen previously.
The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and subsequent spill required
thousands of personnel hours that touched every division in the agency.
From biologists monitoring oil as it approached and then impacted
beaches and marshes, to those rescuing impacted wildlife, to those
sampling marine species for contamination; plus enforcement agents
patrolling closed fishing grounds and administrative support personnel
tracking expenses and documenting personnel time; and our public
information personnel moving details out to the media and the public
on a daily basis, this was an event that eclipsed in time and effort the
recent hurricane seasons of 2005 and 2008.
Looking back on the full year, I can report that LDWF employees continued to deliver constituent
services for a broad range of customer assistance including license sales, outdoor education, and
habitat management both private and public, as well as enforcement of fish and game regulations
statewide.
The challenges were there in fiscal year 2009-2010, as they were for all state agencies, to provide
services in an efficient and expedient manner, and that will not change in the years ahead.
The follow-up in the oil spill aftermath will require LDWF staff to assess damage to coastal fisheries
and wildlife resources for years to come. We will track the impacts to coastal waters and marshes and
the reproductive cycles and harvest of those species that are closely connected to that habitat.
Funding obtained from the responsible party will assist as seafood testing, research and promotional
efforts move forward in the months and years ahead, and LDWF will oversee the programs designed to
regain consumer confidence.
Resource management and protection are at the core of this agency's mission, and that mission will be
served by the dedicated men and women at LDWF.
FROM THE
SECRETARY
Robert J. Barham, LDWF Secretary
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
3
OFFICE OF
SECRETARY
ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
The Law Enforcement Division is responsible
for enforcing laws enacted by the Louisiana
Legislature relative to fish and wildlife
resources and boating safety regulations, as
well as federal regulations pertaining to
migratory birds and endangered species.
LEGAL SECTION
The Legal Section represents the department
and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in
all legal matters involving promulgation,
enforcement and administration of the state's
fish and game laws and regulations, litigation
involving department programs, daily advising
and counsel, and drafting of contracts, legal
documents and legislation.
The Office of Secretary is administered by LDWF's chief administrative officer, who
oversees all scientific operations as organized by the Office of Wildlife and the Office
of Fisheries. The Secretary also has ultimate authority over the operation of LDWF's
fiscal and business matters as administered by the Office of Management and Finance.
Support operations of LDWF report directly to the Secretary. These include the
Enforcement Division and LDWF's Legal Section.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
ABBREVIATIONS
- Governor's Ofce of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Law Enforcement Division
- Search and Rescue
- Wildlife Management Area
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
5
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law
Enforcement Division (LDWF/LED) is a fully-commis-
sioned statewide law enforcement agency with the prima-
ry mission of protecting Louisiana's natural resources and
serving the people who utilize them. Beyond the tradi-
tional role of ensuring compliance with licensing and har-
vesting regulations, LDWF/LED also conducts search
and rescue missions, enforces boating safety laws, inves-
tigates boating and hunting accidents, and provides boater
education classes for thousands of citizens each year.
LDWF/LED conducted 365,456 patrol hours in fiscal
year 2009-2010: 227,790 on land and 137,666 on water.
Agents made 754,027 contacts with the public, the major-
ity of whom were in compliance with state and federal
wildlife and fisheries regulations. LDWF/LED agents
issued 18,035 criminal citations and 4,964 warnings dur-
ing this period. The most common types of citations were
fishing without a license, failure to comply with personal
flotation device requirements, not abiding by rules and
regulations on wildlife management areas (WMAs), and
failure to comply with deer tagging or harvest record reg-
ulations.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE &
PERSONNEL
LDWF/LED is organized in a paramilitary structure to
assure the efficient use of resources, consistent statewide
enforcement policy and an effective, coordinated
response to urgent needs (Figure 1). LDWF/LED is com-
manded by one colonel, the Chief of Enforcement, who
reports directly to LDWF's Secretary. Reporting to the
colonel are two lieutenant colonels: one supervising
search and rescue and field operations; and one oversee-
ing administration of the division and the operations of
the Aviation Section, and serving as LDWF's legislative
liaison. The Enforcement Division is divided up into
eight regions across the state and headquarters in Baton
Rouge. There are two majors, one over the even-num-
bered regions of the state and one over the odd-numbered
regions, and a captain over the Bureau of Operations,
which includes boater safety education programs, Special
Operations Section, Special Investigations Unit, and
Statewide Strike Force.
Louisiana is divided into eight enforcement regions
(Figure 2), each composed of two or three multi-parish
districts. Each region is managed by a captain who super-
vises two or three district supervisors of the lieutenant
rank. Regions have between 16-25 agents, depending on
regional size, resident population and participant popula-
tion.
Total division head count is 257 positions. The actual
number of filled positions (as of February 2011) is 257,
ENFORCEMENT
LDWF LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
ORGANIZATION CHART
Figure 1.
Figure 2. LDWF Law Enforcement Division Regions.
ENFORCEMENT DIVISION REGIONS
Major Sammy
Martin
Odd Numbered Regions
Safety Coordinator
Aviation
3 Fixed Wing Planes
(2 Amphib, 1 Wheeled)
Secretary Robert J.
Barham
Colonel Winton
Vidrine
Chief of Enforcement
Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne
Administrative & Legislative Liaison
Boating Law Administrator
Budget Manager
Maritime Security Coordinator
Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze
Field Operations
Search and Rescue Coordinator
Oyster Task Force
Operation Game Thief
LDWF LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ORGANIZATION CHART
Captain Cliff
Comeaux
Bureau of Operations
Special Operations
Strike Force
Boating Safety
Major Joseph
Broussard
Even Numbered Regions
Training Coordinator
6
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
including 235 enforcement agents and 24 administrative
staff, including six communications officers and two
pilots.
Current funding provides a field enforcement staff of two
to four agents per parish, according to the nature of wild-
life-based activities in the area, the number of people par-
ticipating, the frequency of their participation and other
factors.
REGIONAL ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAMS
Most of the law enforcement activity performed by
LDWF/LED is conducted by regional agents. Regional
agents work a schedule assigned by their supervisors to
address seasonal needs, reported violations, weather con-
ditions and predominant activities. Agents are on-call 24
hours per day and must be willing to change their work
hours and locations as circumstances require. Schedules
are often changed due to weather and reported violations,
and agents are often called out to respond to violations in
progress, boating and hunting accidents, and calls for
search and rescue.
Agents use a variety of vehicles during land patrols, pri-
marily four-wheel drive trucks and all-terrain vehicles.
The primary patrol vessels used during water patrols are
outboard bay boats and 19-to-32-foot marine patrol ves-
sels. LDWF/LED also deploys go-devils, airboats, sur-
face river mudboats, bass boats and flatboats.
SPECIALIZED UNITS
LDWF/LED contains five specialized units with selected
missions or purposes: the Special Operations Section; the
Special Investigations Unit; the Oyster Strike Force; the
Statewide Strike Force; the Maritime Special Response
Team; and the Aviation Section. Agents in specialized
units have developed specific skills, expertise and knowl-
edge appropriate for their particular operational fields.
Agents in specialized units operate in relatively broad
geographic areas and may work alongside regional
enforcement agents when appropriate.
The Special Operations Section houses covert operations,
in which undercover agents work to stem the illegal sale
of fish and wildlife, develop information about ongoing
criminal enterprises, and address major violations of state
and federal law.
The Special Investigations Unit devotes attention to com-
mercial fisheries operations and license fraud. Violations
include smuggling, interstate commerce violations and
false reporting, and under-reporting of commercial fish
harvests.
The Oyster Strike Force works with region agents in
coastal regions to address violations in the oyster indus-
try, primarily harvesting from closed waters, stealing
from oyster leases and state grounds, and oyster size reg-
ulations.
The Statewide Strike Force is assigned to work problem
areas statewide. These agents provide regions with addi-
tional manpower on WMAs and places of high seasonal
utilization, such as Grand Isle and other locations
throughout the state.
The Maritime Special Response Team Cooperative
endeavor by the LDWF Enforcement Division and the
Louisiana State Police SWAT team addresses maritime
security threats within the state of Louisiana. The team
provides a maritime tactical response capability at the
state level in order to safely and effectively provide pub-
lic safety, officer safety, CBRNE prevention, and
response and tactical support for LDWF's federal, state
and local partners.
The Aviation Section contains two pilots and three air-
planes. The Aviation Section's aircraft provide a valuable
platform for detecting illegal hunting and fishing activi-
ties and frequently play a vital life-saving role in search
and rescue operations. The Aviation Section also contrib-
utes its services to other divisions for biological missions,
such as waterfowl counts and the monitoring of commer-
cial fisheries.
BOATING SAFETY PROGRAM
With 15,000 miles of tidal coastline, 5,000 miles of navi-
gable waterways, three of the busiest ports in the country,
a thriving shipping industry, a large commercial fishing
fleet, and over 324,000 registered boats, Louisiana con-
tains many geographic, demographic and economic fea-
tures that pose special challenges for boating safety
enforcement. LDWF/LED agents made 274,868 public
contacts during the course of 106,001 patrol hours dedi-
cated to boating enforcement, education and accident
investigation in fiscal year 2009-2010. More than 84,982
patrol hours were performed in vessels on the water.
The adoption of "Rules of the Road" regulations for boat-
ers has enhanced the enforcement of boating safety regu-
lations and boating under the influence laws. These regu-
lations provide the boating public with clear rules for the
manner in which boats are operated and are an important
tool in determining fault in boating accidents. The "Rules
of the Road" also enhance the ability of agents to address
reckless and careless operation of motorboats. In fiscal
year 2009-2010, LDWF/LED agents issued 153 citations
for careless and reckless operation of a vessel and 167
citations for operating a vessel while intoxicated.
The statewide LDWF/LED boater education course
teaches safe, legal and responsible boat operation and is
approved by the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators. This program provides a vital out-
reach to the community and has greatly improved the
awareness of and compliance with boating safety practic-
es and regulations in Louisiana. Agents hold monthly
classes in each region for anyone who wishes or is
required by Louisiana law to take them. In fiscal year
2009-2010, 6,865 citizens attended 287 classes. LDWF/
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
7
LED continues to recruit and train additional volunteer
instructors to complement and enhance the efforts of its
own agents.
Agents provided 38,497 patrol hours of search and rescue
services, both on land and water, in fiscal year 2009-
2010. These operations have saved lives, reduced the suf-
fering of accident victims, stranded hunters, boaters and
anyone else needing assistance, and minimized the anxi-
ety for family members eager to learn the fate of their
loved ones. Agents regularly train to hone their search
and rescue skills and constantly work to develop close
working relationships with other agencies to coordinate
response efforts.
AGENT TRAINING PROGRAM
The Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy
graduated seven agents in fiscal year 2009-2010. The
academy trains and certifies cadets in a wide variety of
areas, including the Peace Officers Standards and
Training Council certification required of all law enforce-
ment officers. Cadets live at the academy during the week
and experience a boot camp-style program, with daily
physical training in addition to classroom activities.
There are many hands-on courses, such as waterfowl
enforcement practices, boat operation and firearms train-
ing. Each cadet is equipped with a laptop computer with
the capability for networking through the Internet for
access to web-based courses and research sites.
Cadets receive training in numerous courses of study and
are certified in 10 courses of training conducted by FBI-
certified trainers from LDWF/LED and expert trainers
from a number of other agencies. LDWF/LED personnel
conduct training in standardized field sobriety testing,
basic marine theft, basic defensive tactics, collapsible
baton techniques, wildlife agents' aquatic survival, and
chemical weapon indoctrination. The Louisiana State
Police provides training in chemical testing for insobriety.
The Louisiana State Police Highway Safety Division
leads classes in DWI detection, and the Department of
Public Safety conducts a Louisiana Safe Driver's Course.
JOINT ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT
LDWF/LED again entered into a Joint Enforcement
Agreement with National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's Office for Enforcement. LDWF/LED
received approximately $1,475,000 in fiscal year 2009-
2010 to patrol for compliance with federal commercial
and recreational fisheries regulations, primarily in the Gulf
of Mexico. Several patrol vessels and other necessary
equipment has been acquired under this program. Agents
have been very successful identifying illegal and unregu-
lated fishing activity and obtaining a number of large
cases involving commercial and recreational violations.
OPERATION GAME THIEF
Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. is a program,
which provides cash rewards to those providing informa-
tion leading to the apprehension of wildlife violators.
Violations can be reported anonymously by accessing
LDWF's Web site (www.wlf.louisiana.gov) or by calling a
24-hour toll-free telephone number (1-800-442-2511)
maintained in the LDWF Communications Center.
Reports are immediately referred to agents for action.
The callers may remain anonymous.
Rewards totaling $17,100 were paid on 45 cases. In those
45 cases, 83 suspects were apprehended and issued a total
of 292 citations. The total amount of rewards paid by
Operation Game Thief since its inception 26 years ago is
$280,900.
LITTERING ENFORCEMENT
The "Litterbug Hotline" is now housed inside the LDWF
Enforcement Division and littering tipsters can call
1-888-LITRBUG or 1-888-548-7284 24 hours a day to
report any potential littering violations. As a part of the
Governor's Office strategy to streamline public services,
the LDWF Enforcement Division communication's sec-
tion took over the litter hotline from the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality on May 29.
LDWF Enforcement Division agents issued 1,001 litter-
ing citations for fiscal year 2009-2010 and logged 7,958
patrol hours for littering enforcement.
HOMELAND SECURITY
LDWF/LED is an active participant in Louisiana's
Homeland Security Plan and represents the state in water-
borne emergencies. Through the Governor's Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
(GOHSEP), LDWF/LED is the lead agency for search
and rescue operations during natural disasters and mari-
time security of Louisiana's vital business and govern-
ment interests along the coast and major rivers. As mem-
bers of the Governor's Homeland Security Advisory
Council, the Area Maritime Security Executive Steering
Committee and all major port security committees within
the state, LDWF/LED enforcement agents frequently
respond to requests to deploy LDWF marine resources
for security concerns. LDWF/LED specialized training
and equipment and its ability to operate throughout the
state's vast maze of waterways and wild areas has com-
plemented Louisiana's ability to respond to emergencies
on land and water.
LDWF/LED has developed a five-year maritime security
strategic plan in order to provide direction and guidance
for the expansion of its mission to include maritime secu-
rity. This role further advances coordination efforts
between the United States Coast Guard, Louisiana State
Police, federal, state, ports and local government, and pri-
vate partnerships to increase the efficiency and effective-
ness of maritime safety and security and all hazards
response for Louisiana and our nation. This expansion is
necessary in order to meet the needs and threats that we
are faced within Louisiana's maritime domain.
LDWF/LED recently created the Louisiana Maritime
Security Working Group in order to provide better com-
munication and coordination between the multiple
regional layers of security on the state's waterways, so
8
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
that we can safely and effectively support these layers at
the state level. LDWF/LED is also a member of the First
Responder Committee through GOHSEP which was leg-
islatively created. LDWF/LED's maritime security role
coincides as a multi-mission responsibility and further
enhances the agency's core mission responsibilities: to
improve public safety services and protect natural
resources and the supporting ecosystem while improving
security in the state and nation.
MARITIME SEARCH & RESCUE
COURSE
Since the devastating landfalls of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita, several law enforcement agencies across Louisiana
have recognized the vital need to train officers in all
aspects of search and rescue (SAR), especially maritime
search and rescue. LDWF/LED, as the primary agency
for SAR in the state, received several requests from law
enforcement agencies to share the benefit of its wide
experience in the area by providing maritime SAR train-
ing to their officers.
In 2007, the Louisiana Peace Officers Standards and
Training Council granted LDWF/LED approval to offer
the Maritime Search and Rescue Course to qualified
POST-certified peace officers. The 40-hour Maritime
Search and Rescue Course was designed and implement-
ed to train other law enforcement officers in such areas as
marine SAR, Louisiana Emergency Operation Plans
(ESF-9 SAR), navigation rules, vessel handling, water-
borne arrest techniques, and more.
BP DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
During the BP Oil Spill, the Enforcement Division
enforced the emergency commercial and recreational
fishing closures, reported oil and oiled wildlife sightings,
patrolled booming operations, provided security detail for
VIPs, and escorted media to the oil spill area.
The following stats are from April 20, 2010 to June 30,
2010, though the Enforcement Division will still be
assisting with the oil spill response efforts for the foresee-
able future.
Total Criminal Citations for Fishing in the Closed State
and Federal Areas = 460
• Commercial Fishermen in State Waters = 296
• Commercial Fishermen in Federal Waters = 95
• Recreational Fishermen in State Waters = 69
Total Warning Citations for Fishing in the Closed State
and Federal Areas = 207
• Recreational = 151
• Commercial = 56
Totals of Fish Returned to the Water:
• 23,385 pounds of shrimp (of which 12,680 pounds
were returned in federal waters)
• 262 trout
• 531 pounds and an additional 10 dozen crabs
• 11 red drum
• 8 mangrove snapper
• 1 southern flounder
• 1 cobia
• 340 pounds of various fish (all in federal waters)
The Enforcement Division made 113,783 public contacts
during their 85,916 patrol hours enforcing the fishing clo-
sures and booming operations.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
9
OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT
& FINANCE
PUBLIC INFORMATION
The Public Information Section is responsible
for the production of printed materials and
audio-visual products, media relations, and
special events and promotions.
FISCAL
The Fiscal Section is responsible for all
financial operations of LDWF.
LICENSING
The Licensing Section administers the issuance
of all licenses and most other permits and is
responsible for the collection and deposit of
related fees.
PROPERTY CONTROL
The Property Control Section is responsible for
LDWF's movable property program, fleet
management program, and managing property,
marine, general liability, aviation and vehicle
insurance claims.
COMPUTER CENTER
The Computer Center oversees LDWF's
information processing resources.
HUMAN RESOURCES
The Human Resources section handles all
employee personnel actions and employee
benefits, develops policies and procedures,
conducts training and new employee
orientation, and administers the performance
planning and review program and LDWF's
safety program.
The Office of Management and Finance is directed by the Undersecretary. This budget
unit is responsible for the functions of accounting, budget forecasting and control,
procurement and contract management, administrative services, information technology
services, management and program analysis (including strategic and operational
planning), property control (including fleet management), boat registration, human
resources management, federal grant reporting, administration and issuing of licenses
and permits, collection of fees, taxes, fines and penalties, and public information and
the Louisiana Conservationist magazine.
OMF ABBREVIATIONS
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Public Information Ofce
- Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
11
COMPUTER CENTER
The Computer Center is responsible for maintaining the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' (LDWF)
information processing resources. The center operates
three mainframes and 34 Intel based Windows servers.
The Computer Center supports 699 computer users and
368 laptops in 16 locations throughout the state and sup-
ports and maintains the network infrastructure that ties
them all together. We offer training, help desk support,
custom programming, database services, Email services,
Internet access, user data backup for headquarter users,
statistical analysis tools for biologists, and imaging ser-
vices for Human Resources, Licensing and Fisheries.
In addition, the Computer Center has developed the
mainframe applications necessary to sell and maintain
commercial licenses, motorboat registrations, hunting/
boating safety, Alligator System and Lottery System. On
the Intel platform, we developed and maintain the
Enforcement application that allows us to track citations,
as well as the Motorboat registrations and titling systems
that allows us to issue registrations and titles for every
boat in Louisiana.
The Computer Center, along with our Public Information
section, maintains LDWF's public Web server, which
contains information on hunting rules and regulations,
season dates, licensing information, emergency closures
and much more.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT SECTION
The Technical Section, which consists of four employees
and one student, supports 699 users throughout the state.
In the last 10 years, the number of personal computers
that LDWF utilizes has grown from under 25 to over 900.
Keeping these machines maintained and secure is one of
the Technical Section's biggest challenges. Each of these
machines must have regular updates applied and have cer-
tain software installed and updated (anti-virus, spyware).
Providing general help desk support for these computers
occupies a large portion of a tech's time. For fiscal year
2009-2010, the technical section fielded 8,548 non-trivial
telephone support calls, configured, built or relocated 365
computers/printers, and answered 10,555 emails on hard-
ware and software support issues. Technical calls can be
as simple as helping with an expired password, to helping
with software problems/re-installations, or as complicated
as helping repair and diagnose failed hardware. The tech-
nical staff must travel regularly to most of LDWF's
remote facilities to perform this maintenance on
machines.
The Technical Section maintains three mainframes and 34
Windows-based servers. Each of the mainframes/servers
must be given daily maintenance. This includes not only
keeping the operating systems and utility software up to
date, but also providing regular backups for all critical
data to prevent loss. Loss of data can come from simply
losing a disk drive, losing entire computers or being
hacked. Catastrophic loss of data can come from fire,
flood, terrorism or other causes that would impact the
entire organization. In addition, data can be lost through
human error such as inadvertently deleting records that
shouldn't be deleted. All these risks must be mitigated.
Primarily this is done through daily backups of all perti-
nent data. Every day, all critical data on our servers are
backed up and stored off-site. We also attempt to back up
the majority of our user's important data that is stored on
their hard drives.
Maintenance also includes keeping all the critical software
that runs on the servers up to date and functional. The ser-
vices we provide include things such as E-mail, databases,
anti-virus protection, Web-services and network operating
system services/security. All these software packages are
regularly updated. Training to keep up with these updates
could easily become a constant activity.
Accomplishments during fiscal year 2009-2010 include:
• Upgraded the agency's internet connection to a 9
Megabit "Metro-Ethernet" connection, increasing
capacity from 3 Mbps to 9 Mbps.
• Encrypted all agency laptops to enhance security and
prevent loss of data in the event of theft.
• Assisted in the movement of PCs and network equip-
ment from closed field offices.
• Provided after hours technical support for Oil Spill
response workers.
• Standardized on remote tracking/recovery software
for all new laptops.
• Expanded virtual server environment to add addition-
al server capacity and fault tolerance.
• Currently installing cellular boosters in all confer-
ence rooms to allow use of cell based phone and data
devices in these locations.
• Put out a request for proposal and awarded contract
to convert mainframe SAS data to windows SAS and
SQL based solution.
• Performed a major upgrade of the production main-
frame hardware and software to ensure the system's
continued support.
• Restored three production servers from backups after
hardware failure.
• Expanded VM ware, and migrated all Virtual Servers
to the new VSphere environment.
• Installed VRanger backup software for VM environ-
ment.
• Assisted in migrating computers and networking in
new Grand Isle and Hammond offices.
• Started allowing smartphones other than Blackberry
secure access to email servers.
• Assisted Public Information in launching a new
Intranet server.
12
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Finally, the Technical Section is responsible for maintain-
ing the underlying network infrastructure that allows all
the computers to communicate with one another. This
involves monitoring the network for problems and diag-
nosing and repairing network routers, switches, hubs,
VPN concentrators and telephone data circuits (local and
for all remote facilities). Included with this is guarding
the network from internal and external threats (hackers/
viruses) and maintaining Internet connectivity for all
internal users.
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
SECTION
The Application Development Team consists of six
employees and is responsible for maintaining all custom
written applications and new application development.
Our applications run on a combination of mainframe and
Windows server environments. Current applications that
the staff has developed and supports include:
• Web based Enforcement system for issuing and
tracking violations.
• Enforcement complaint system.
• Enforcement time sheet system.
• Enforcement revocations system.
• Enforcement seafood inspection system.
• Motorboat application for issuing motorboat registra-
tions and titles.
• Commercial License application for issuing commer-
cial fishing licenses for LDWF.
• Training application for keeping track of mandatory
and supervisory training.
• Zip code lookup application.
• Alligator system for tracking all alligators processed
commercially in Louisiana.
• DPS system for looking up DMV records for resi-
dency validation.
• Lottery application to chose participants in the ran-
domly drawn hunts.
• Hunter and Boating Education system for keeping
track of participants in the mandatory hunter educa-
tion program. It provides the public with the ability
to request a duplicate hunting safety or boating safe-
ty card online and receive online fulfillment.
• Revocation system for keeping track of individuals
that may not purchase licenses.
• Sports License (lifetime license printing).
• Web-based displaced boat lookup (to help public
locate lost boats).
• Web-based DMAP, system for keeping track of deer
management applications.
• Web-based Oyster Tag sales system.
• Trip Ticket employee performance system.
• Legal application for tracking legal rulings and infor-
mation.
• Track commercial fishing shipments from/to the state
for the Enforcement Division.
• Employee Portal application used by employees to
launch other LDWF developed web-based applica-
tions.
• JEA Patrol System to keep track of Enforcement
officer's contact information with vessel operators
and dealers.
IMAGING SECTION
The Imaging Section consists of three employees and is
tasked with scanning and indexing LDWF documents
which include:
• Federally mandated Trip Ticket data (from commer-
cial dealers, used in tracking commercial harvest
information).
• Boating Safety applications.
• Hunter Safety applications.
• Bow hunter student applications.
• Enforcement complaint forms.
• Enforcement time sheets.
• Enforcement seafood inspection forms.
• Motorboat registrations & renewals (new and back-
log).
• Motorboat revenue checks.
• Other revenue checks.
• Shrimp Excise Tax forms. (This helps our accounting
division keep track of excise tax monies).
• Monthly submission forms.
• Crab Shedder forms.
• Commercial Fisherman surveys.
• Seafood Dealer surveys.
• Lifetime Licenses (new and backlog).
• Electronic Signature logs.
The Imaging Section takes requests from Louisiana sea-
food dealers in person, on the phone, by mail and by fax.
These orders can be very time consuming as they often
need to explain the variety of forms and their usage. The
Imaging Section not only scans a vast number of docu-
ments for the agency, but verifies and corrects the data as
well. This is very tedious work due to the wide ranges of
handwriting and poor conditions of the forms when they
arrive.
In addition to scanning duties, the Imaging Section runs
nightly reports for LDWF's applications systems and
helps compile and print reports for the Public
Information, Enforcement, Commercial License, Hunter
Safety, Motorboat and Recreational License sections.
The Imaging Section is working diligently with the
Fisheries Division on the Cooperative Research Survey
project of 2009, concerning Hurricane Recovery and
Demographic Information. This is an 89 page survey that
is mailed in from commercial fishermen and dealers and
compiles significant data from that time period.
The system that the Imaging Section staff maintains is
used by the Motorboat section to image and archive all
motorboat applications/renewals. Human Resources also
images every employee document into the system. The
imaging system cuts back drastically on the amount of
paper documents that must be maintained, making it pos-
sible for instantaneous search/retrieval of these docu-
ments and allows multiple HR analysts to access the
same records concurrently and securely.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
13
LICENSING
HUMAN RESOURCES
At Wildlife and Fisheries, our most valuable resource is
our human resources, the people who direct all of our
other resources and get the work done on behalf of the
Louisiana taxpayers, and users and consumers of
Louisiana's natural resources and products.
The authorized number of funded positions for LDWF
for fiscal year 2009-2010 was 775. LDWF also employed
students throughout the state.
Along with our active employees, we also provide service
and guidance to retirees, former employees and their
dependents.
One of the responsibilities of Human Resources is the
comprehensive administration of our employees' person-
nel actions.
Human Resources is responsible for several program
areas:
• Human Resource Administration (policies and proce-
dures, civil service rules)
• EEO Compliance (ADA)
• Performance Appraisal
• Training and Staff Development (CPTP, MST, agen-
cy sponsored training)
• Employee Relations (employee counseling,
Employee Assistance Program, grievances)
• Drug Testing
• Employee Recognition Program
• Classification (position descriptions, job studies,
audits)
• Wage and Salary Administration
• Recruitment Program
• Selection and Placement (LA Careers system)
• Benefit Program (health, life and miscellaneous
insurance, retirement, deferred compensation, risk
management compensation, leave management,
unemployment, and FMLA)
• Monitoring Employee Statistics (dates of eligibility
for merits, CPG levels, DROP, permanent status,
contract end dates)
• Records Retention Schedule on all Employee Files
• Employment Eligibility (non-resident alien employ-
ees' taxes, work permit documents)
• Operations (employee files, personnel actions, enroll-
ment and exiting of employees)
• Payroll Administration (ISIS system)
• Safety
• Workforce Development
• Affirmative Action
In an effort to enhance safety and productivity in the
LDWF workforce, we continue to work with employees
and management to develop safe and productive work
conditions through several of our programs such as
Safety, Planning and Performance Review and Training
and Staff Development.
The Licensing Section serves as the information hub for
more than 1 million customers who operate businesses,
fish commercially, recreationally fish and hunt, and use
state lands for non-consumptive purposes. The staff pro-
vides customers with state, federal and commission laws,
rules and regulations that govern fishing, hunting and
titling/registration of boats in Louisiana. The Licensing
Section handles the issuance of all commercial licenses
and boat title and registration services, issues various per-
mits, manages the statewide electronic licensing system
providing recreational license availability at more than
800 locations statewide, and oversees recreational license
and boat registration renewals via internet and telephone.
The Licensing Section continues to evaluate processes
and streamline to improve availability and reduce process-
ing time for licenses and boat titles and registrations.
License and boat title/registration activities and related
revenue collections are as follows:
• Issue in excess of 1.68 million recreational hunting,
fishing, trapping and non-consumptive use licenses
sold to 800,000+ customers, generating in excess of
$18.7 million in revenue. Maintain license records for
approximately 50,000 lifetime licensees.
• 67,822 commercial licenses sold, representing
13,542 commercial fishermen, 2,822 business enti-
ties, 705 charter guides, and various permits that
generate in excess of $3 million in revenue.
• 157,787 boat registration/title transactions that gener-
ate in excess of $3.8 million in revenue. Maintain
data of boats in excess of one million records -
324,802 of which are actively registered.
• Make available various types of oyster tags as
required by federal and state law, in excess of 2.9
million, to oyster fishermen and processors.
14
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
FISCAL
Salaries and Benets
43%
Conservation Fund
42%
The Fiscal Section staff consists of 17 employees who
are responsible for all financial operations of LDWF. The
main goal of the Fiscal Section is to achieve compliance
with all applicable laws, rules, policies and regulations
governing the functions managed. This section develops
and implements fiscal controls, provides advice, as-
sistance and training, and standardizes procedures. In
addition, the Services Unit provides mail, receiving and
duplicating services for the headquarters offices.
• budget and expenditure control and monitoring.
• federal grant tracking and reporting.
• preparation of all required financial reports.
• reviewing and processing professional and consulting
contracts.
• payment of all vendors.
• receipt and classification of various sources of rev-
enue.
• fund management.
• assessment of civil fines.
• telecommunications services.
• processing of employee travel reimbursements.
• liability insurance reporting.
• administration of the state's travel card.
• procurement.
• administration of the state's purchasing card.
• mail/receiving/duplicating.
• strategic and operational planning.
• management of FEMA projects.
• prepared four agency budgets consisting of six pro-
grams totaling $182.9 million.
• reviewed 201 new contracts with a total amount pay-
able of $9.7 million.
• worked on four request for proposals totaling $1.7
million.
• processed 577 payments on contracts for $11 million.
• responded to 470 requests for telecommunications
services and repairs.
• processed 14 telecommunications projects.
• processed 9,569 vendor payments.
• audited and processed 4,932 purchasing card state-
ments.
• audited and processed 3328 travel reimbursements.
• processed 1,301 checks through QuickBooks.
• warranted funds and prepared periodic reports for 110
federal grants.
• deposited $85.1 million in receipts from various
sources on 402 pay in vouchers.
• handled 69 leases of equipment and buildings.
• maintained 728 state purchasing card accounts.
• processed over 215,000 pieces of mail.
Operating Services
6%
Travel
<1%
Other Charges
34%
Professional
Services
2%
Supplies
6%
Major Repairs
1%
Acquisitions
5%
Interagency
Transfers
3%
Rockefeller
Refuge & Game
Preservation Fund
2%
Fees & Self
Generated
Revenue
<1%
Other Statutory
Dedications
5%
Interagency
Transfers
5%
Federal Funds
46%
State
General
Fund
<1%
Other Royalties,
Royalties, Rentals and
Bonuses on Land
49.3%
Other Royalties, Royalties, Rentals and
Bonuses on Land
25,565,939
Commercial Licenses 2,998,414
Recreational Hunting & Fishing Licenses 16,172,689
Other Fees (boat registrations, survey
fees, DMAP, etc.)
4,652,818
Interest Income 679,297
Seismic Fees collected by DNR 595,502
Miscellaneous 1,220,210
SOURCES OF REVENUE TO THE
CONSERVATION FUND
Management & Finance and Administrative 10,956,016
Enforcement 30,287,519
Seafood Promotion & Marketing 1,038,039
Wildlife 30,051,180
Fisheries 75,509,593
EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM
Conservation Fund 61,840,459
Rockefeller Refuge & Game Preservation
Fund
2,672,225
Other Statutory Dedications 7,448,085
Interagency Transfers 7,589,620
State General Fund 92,439
Fees & Self-Generated Revenue 45,847
Federal Funds 68,162,672
HOW EXPENDITURES
WERE FUNDED
Salaries and Benets 63,189,703
Travel 458,314
Operating Services 9,454,952
Supplies 8,207,900
Professional Services 2,734,373
Other Charges 50,859,172
Interagency Transfers 3,807,872
Acquisitions 7,669,454
Major Repairs 1,469,607
EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY
Miscellaneous
2.4%
Seismic Fees
collected by DNR
1%
Interest
Income
1.3%
Other Fees
(DMAP,
survey fees,
boat registration,
etc.)
9%
Recreational
Hunting & Fishing
Licenses
31%
Commercial
Licenses
6%
Enforcement
21%
Fisheries
51%
Wildlife
20%
Management &
Finance and
Administrative
7%
Seafood Promotion &
Marketing
1%
16
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
PUBLIC
INFORMATION
The Public Information Ofce (PIO) handles the primary
communication programs for LDWF. These programs
cover a variety of communication avenues including
publications, Louisiana Conservationist magazine, news
and media relations, audio-video productions, Web site,
public relations and special events. PIO consist of seven
full time staff members.
During scal year 2009-2010, PIO underwent reorgani-
zation. The Louisiana Conservationist print format was
discontinued, closing the editor, circulation manager and
marketing manager positions. The latter two positions
also carried library responsibilities. In the latter part of
scal year 2009-2010, the Information and Resource Li-
brary was reorganized into a public self-serve "Resource
Room." This option allowed public access to department
materials without staff assistance. Available materials
included WMA maps, regulation pamphlets and various
LDWF program brochures and yers.
The news and media relations unit was reorganized, and
each primary ofce (Ofce of Fisheries, Ofce of Wild-
life and Ofce of Secretary) received their own media
point person. Although PIO remained as the agency's
primary news and media gateway, the new media repre-
sentatives were responsible for producing news for their
respective ofces.
PIO continued to operate and maintain the LDWF
headquarters' primary reception area in Baton Rouge.
This position serves as the department's front line contact
and security check point. During scal year 2009-2010,
49,999 phone calls and 36,061 walk-in visitors were
received at the reception area.
PUBLICATIONS
The publications unit is responsible for the production of
specialized publications, all department regulation pam-
phlets and the annual report. All pre-press functions, edit-
ing and printing approvals are handled through this unit.
Specialized publications include any publication not
produced on a regular basis. These publications are used
for educational, informational and promotional use for
conservation management programs and special events.
During scal year 2009-2010 the unit designed and pub-
lished the following publications:
• Forest Stewardship Newsletter (Winter 2010, Spring/
Summer 2010)
• Wildlife Insider Newsletter (Winter 2010)
• National Hunting and Fishing Day 2009 (promotional
materials)
• Landowners for Wildlife pamphlet
• Silvern (promotional materials)
• Chili’s Restaurant oil spill promotion postcard
• Association for Conservation Information 2009 Con-
ference program
• National Archery in the Schools Program brochure
• 2008-2009 Annual Report
• Regulation pamphlets
• 2010 Commercial Fishing
• 2010 Recreational Fishing
• 2009-2010 Hunting & Wildlife Management Areas
• 2009-2010 Waterfowl
• 2009-2010 Trapping
• 2010 Turkey
Louisiana Conservationist
The Louisiana Conservationist magazine produced its
nal printed issue in spring 2010 with plans to move the
magazine to an online version in fall 2010. Subscription
renewal notices were discontinued after the winter issue
and refunds were issued to remaining subscribers after the
spring issue. Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N) Consult-
ing Firm contracted with LDWF to handle the subscriber
database and refund checks. P&N had previous experi-
ence with LDWF from similar situations with distribution
of disaster funds.
PIO created an online Web site for subscribers to donate
their refund to the department. Letters were mailed notify-
ing subscribers of the pending refund and the option to
donate with instructions for the Web site.
The new online magazine was launched in December
2010.
NEWS AND MEDIA RELATIONS
The LDWF news service produced 258 news releases and
features before the reorganization took effect in February
2010. Although news releases were written by the indi-
vidual ofces, PIO continued as the ofcial depository of
department news releases and Web postings.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
17
Several media events occurred involving PIO staff as
coordinators, videographers, photographers and reporters.
As the lead ofce in coordinating media events it was
PIO's responsibility to ensure the events were well orga-
nized, media were contacted, and follow-up with footage,
news releases and interviews were conducted. There were
ve major media events during the year, not including the
numerous events and media contacts associated with the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on April 20, 2010
provided the largest number of media events for the scal
year 2009-2010. PIO lead the LDWF media team, which
consisted of ve PIO staff and a media representative
from the Ofce of Fisheries, Ofce of Wildlife and Ofce
of the Secretary. Between April 20 and the scal year-end
(June 30), the LDWF media team responded to 275 media
requests ranging from local contacts to international
media organizations. By the time the oil well was sealed
in late August, the team had responded to 525 media
requests.
• Endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Release -
Louisiana's rst satellite tagged sea turtle
• Silvern Press Conference - an introduction to a com-
mercial and retail marketing program to reduce the
population of this invasive sh species.
• Shell Donation to Articial Reef Program - Shell do-
nated $450,000 to help support efforts to protect and
foster sh and other marine life in Louisiana coastal
waters and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Marine Research Lab, Grand Isle - Grand opening of
the new marine research lab.
• Louisiana's National Hunting & Fishing Day - four
statewide events open for public attendance with
hands-on activities with shooting, shing and boating.
AUDIOVIDEO PRODUCTIONS
PIO is responsible for the production of specialized
audio and video projects, video news releases (VNRs),
audio recordings of various meetings, and media footage
requests. The A/V library consists of 1,800 tapes of raw
footage available for media and education requests. In
scal year 2009-2010, the A/V unit began transferring ar-
chived 16mm tapes to electronic format for easier access,
cataloging and better preservation. By the end of the scal
year, approximately 50 reels were completed.
• Enforcement Cadet Commencement Ceremony
• Marine Research Lab, Grand Isle
• Salvinia Weevils Moved to Lake Bistineau State Park
• Port Sulphur Fish Stocking
• Deer Tags (update)
• Lake Bistineau Drawdown
• Louisiana's National Hunting & Fishing Day 2009
• Endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Release
• Shell Donation to Articial Reef Program
• 2010 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp
Competition
• Silvern: Eating Bighead and Silver Carp
• Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Safe Harbor Program
• Enforcement Oil Spill Response
• LDWF Begins Wildlife Rehabilitation After Gulf
Coast Oil Spill
• LDWF Continues Search for Oil and Oiled Marine
Animals
• Green Heron Released at Sherburne WMA
• Sea Turtle Rescue Rehabilitation
• Oil Spill Enters Pass a Loutre WMA
• Oil Spill and Coastal Habitat Loss (Pass a Loutre
WMA)
• Oiled Impacted Birds Released at Sherburne Wildlife
Management Area
• Oiled Impacted Bird Collection Continues Along
Louisiana Coast
WEB SITE
The department Web site, wlf.louisiana.gov, received over
1.7 million visits from almost 900,000 unique visitors in
scal year 2009-2010. Site visitors executed 7.7 million
page views (about 4.46 page views per visitor) and spent
an average of three minutes 58 seconds on the site.
The Web site underwent a complete renovation during the
second half of scal year 2009-2010. The renovated site
was put into production and made available to the public
after the conclusion of the scal year. Public Information
Ofce staff selected a more modern and exible content
management system, and migrated all of the data from the
previous Web site. PIO restyled and reorganized the data,
working with representatives from each ofce during the
development period.
PIO Audio-visual sta member documenting oil spill procedures.
18
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS/ACTIVITIES
PIO is responsible for organizing and executing special
public and promotional events for the department. The
events range from trade show exhibits to organizing
national conferences.
ACI is a national association of information and educa-
tion professionals representing state, federal and Canadian
agencies and private conservation organizations. LDWF
hosted the 2009 conference in Baton Rouge.
PIO organizes the Baton Rouge event, which is open to
public attendance for hands-on experience with many
outdoor activities. The 2009 event included canoeing,
shing, sports shooting, children's shing contest, educa-
tion exhibits, a catsh pool for very young anglers and
taste samples of sh and wild game. The event is free of
charge. Approximately 2,000 visitors attended the Baton
Rouge event at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center.
LDWF in conjunction with Chef Philippe Parola coordi-
nated a presentation and cooking demonstration on the
potential commercial and recreational markets for Asian
carp (silver and bighead carp) that included efforts for re-
branding the species as "Silvern." Media representatives,
outdoor writers and the Louisiana Restaurant Association
members were invited to this event. Chef Cullen Lord of
Flemmings Restaurant, Darryl Rivere of A la Carte Food
and Chef Parola prepared Silvern recipes for tasting.
Press packets with nutritional information, history and a
DVD on cleaning efforts were distributed.
LDWF again partnered with the Recreational Boating &
Fishing Foundation (RBFF) in 2009 as part of a national
effort with 32 state sh and wildlife agencies to imple-
ment a direct mail marketing program targeting resident
lapsed anglers to increase shing license sales. The pro-
gram included two separate direct mailings with coincid-
ing local radio advertising and national print and online
advertising provided by RBFF. The complete 2009 report
can be viewed at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
On May 28, 2009, 70,000 lapsed anglers were sent a
postcard with a message encouraging them to once again
become active anglers with an. On July 9, 2009, a sec-
ond postcard was sent to those anglers who had not yet
purchased a license. An incentive was offered to anglers
purchasing their licenses by July 1 to encourage early
action. A window decal, "Fishing is the Reel Deal," was
mailed to each qualifying angler.
The size of the nal reconciled mailing list was 63,270,
after accounting for anglers who bought a license be-
fore receiving the mailing. Of the 63,270 lapsed anglers,
15,013 purchased 15,200 licenses. The overall lift during
the evaluation period was 0.77. (Lift is dened as the
treatment group response rate minus the control group
response rate.)
• 23.73 percent response rate, which is the total number
of unique individuals who responded to the mailer
divided by the total number of unique individuals
who received a mailer.
• The program generated $145,785 in gross license
sales revenue during the evaluation period. LDWF
and RBFF invested $88,811.69 in the program, re-
sulting in net revenue of $56,973.31.
• 0.77 percentage point lift in license buyers compared
to a control group of lapsed anglers. This represents
a marginal increase of 485 license buyers created by
the lapsed angler mailing.
• $4,713.22 in gross revenue from the lift in sales was
generated by the direct mail portion of the campaign
compared to direct mail costs of $46,216.49.
• Based on their purchase history, lapsed anglers were
classied into priority tiers. A "tier" reports how fre-
quently an angler bought a license before lapsing. Six
tiers showed positive lift (in percentage points), but
none of the results were statistically signicant.
• Tier 3 = 2.53
• Tier 1 = 0.88
• Tier 7 = 0.80
• Tier 8 = 0.68
• Tier 4 = 0.49
• Tier 2 = 0.30
This was the third and nal year of the program. As in the
past two years it included two separate direct mailings
coinciding with local radio and online advertising, how-
ever, the program was interrupted by the BP oil spill. The
rst direct mail piece was mailed May 28. The second
mail piece was scheduled for July 4 but was postponed
and ultimately cancelled due to the spill. At the time this
publication went to press, the nal report reecting the
outcome with one direct mail piece was not available.
Oil Spill Response 435,104
News 278,552
Deer Hunting Seasons 260,492
Migratory Waterfowl Seasons 156,622
Licensing Homepage 138,621
20
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
PROPERTY CONTROL
The Property Control Section is responsible for managing
LDWF's Property Control, Risk Management Insurance
Claims and Fleet Management programs. The section is
staffed with four full-time employees.
PROPERTY CONTROL PROGRAM
During fiscal year 2009-2010 this program certified a
moveable property inventory which consists of 8,670
items for a total acquisition cost of $52,694,743.
Annually, the program is responsible for ensuring that a
physical inventory of moveable property is conducted at
the various 88 locations throughout the state.
The Property Control Section processed $6,703,843 in
acquisitions and $3,481,195 in dispositions of inventoried
movable property during fiscal year 2009-2010.
FLEET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
In accordance with state fleet management regulations
this section records, approves and processes requests for
personal assignment or home storage, daily vehicle usage,
vehicle maintenance, title, registrations and vehicle
licenses for LDWF's 546 fleet and 896 other licensed
vehicles.
The Property Control Section also managed the 10 vehi-
cles assigned to the Baton Rouge Headquarters Motor
Pool.
RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Property Control Section is responsible for filing
insurance claims and recovering payment from the Office
of Risk Management and third party insurance companies
for property damage, automobile physical and liability
damage, wet marine, aviation, boiler and machinery dam-
age. The section is also responsible for filing general lia-
bility insurance claims.
Driver's authorization and annual certification for
LDWF's approximate 900 employees is also a responsi-
bility of the Property Control section. This process is
accomplished in accordance with Office of Risk
Management's loss prevention guidelines.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
21
OFFICE OF
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE DIVISION
The Wildlife Division is responsible for the
state's wildlife conservation program and
gathering biological data to properly manage
wildlife resources.
COASTAL & NONGAME
RESOURCES DIVISION
Active marsh management is the primary
responsibility of the Coastal & Nongame
Resources Division. Responsibilities of the
division are divided into eight major categories:
Coastal Stewardship Operations; Fur and Marsh
Management; Alligator Management;
Permitting and Mineral Management;
Rockefeller Refuge; Habitat Conservation;
Education; and Maintenance.
The Office of Wildlife consists of two divisions, Wildlife Division and Coastal & Non-
game Resources Division.
OFFICE OF WILDLIFE
ABBREVIATIONS
- British Petroleum
- Coastal Impact Assistance Program
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
- Coastwide Nutria Control Program
- Chronic Wasting Disease
- Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
- Deer Management Assistance Program
- Ducks Unlimited
- Endangered Species Act
- Fur Advisory Council
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Fur and Marsh Management
- Gulf Coast Plain - East
- Gulf Coast Plain - West
- Geographic Information Systems
- Louisiana Antlerless Deer Tag
- Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Louisiana Natural Heritage Program
- Louisiana State University
- Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship Protocols
- Mississippi Alluvial Valley - North
- Mississippi Alluvial Valley - South
- North American Wetland Conservation Act
- North American Waterfowl Management Plan
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- National Wildlife Refuge
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker
- Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
- Safe Harbor Program
- State Wildlife Grants
- United States Army Corps of Engineers
- United States Department of Agriculture
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service
- United States Coast Guard
- Wildlife Action Plan
- Wildlife Conservation Area
- Wildlife Management Area
- West Nile Virus
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
23
WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE RESEARCH
A wide range of research and management work is con-
ducted in order to maintain healthy productive popula-
tions of game and to provide recreational opportunities
for citizens to enjoy these species. Staff biologists gather
data on game birds and animals, largely for use in formu-
lating hunting regulations and development of habitat
management recommendations. They present seminars to
the public and develop workshops for personnel of the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
and other agencies. In addition, the staff represents
LDWF on state, regional and national committees, pro-
viding wildlife input to a wide array of public agencies,
non-governmental organizations and private industry. The
game species programs are:
• White-tailed Deer
• Webless Migratory Birds
• Wild Turkey and Resident Small Game
• Waterfowl
• Large Carnivore
• Nuisance Animals
• Wildlife Disease
During the 2009-2010 deer season, 163,200 deer hunters
harvested 147,300 white-tailed deer. On wildlife manage-
ment areas (WMAs) during managed deer hunts, there
were 2,603 deer harvested. The total hunter effort (a
hunter having used a WMA for a hunt) for the managed
deer hunts was 27,643. The combined Deer Management
Assistance Program (DMAP) and Landowner Antlerless
Deer Tag (LADT) harvest was 17,641 deer. There were
over 800 clubs/cooperators with 1.6 million acres partici-
pating in the programs.
Deer harvest information from across the state was ana-
lyzed and evaluated. These data were used to establish
deer seasons for the 2010-2011 season. Harvest data for
WMAs and DMAP cooperators are summarized in
Federal Aid W-55-24 Report.
Qualifying deer, those scoring high enough for the
Louisiana big game records recognition program, harvest-
ed during 2009-2010 were documented in the annual
Deer Report. Trophy deer that qualify for the State
Record List are added to this list annually.
In order to better manage the state's white-tailed deer
population, several research projects have been initiated.
Efforts by the Coastal and Nongame Resources Division
to capture and mark deer at Pass-a-Loutre WMA contin-
ue. Thirty-eight deer have been ear tagged and are being
monitored by remote cameras. The Avoyelles Parish proj-
ect to determine survival, mortality and antler growth
characteristics of deer in a large enclosure compared to
free ranging deer continues, but trapping success inside
the enclosure has been limited. The north Louisiana
telemetry project, performed in cooperation with the
Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Renewable
Natural Resources, is nearing completion. A total of 61
deer have been captured and marked. Telemetry locations
are taken two to three times weekly. The Union Parish
project was initiated to provide base line information on
survival, mortality and home ranges of deer in pine habi-
tat. Disease and parasite investigations continued on both
private and public lands.
Dove populations have been monitored nationwide since
1953 by a call-count survey. This survey is used by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to monitor
mourning dove population trends. Biologists record the
number of doves heard calling for a prescribed time dur-
ing the nesting season along certain roadsides. Louisiana's
dove population is monitored during May and June along
19 routes randomly located throughout the state. The
2010 Louisiana breeding population index, based on
doves heard along the routes, was 13.9. This represents a
0.7 percent increase in doves heard from 2009. The
10-year and 40-year trends illustrated 1.8 percent and 1.9
percent increases annually, respectively. The 10-year and
40-year trends for doves seen along routes illustrated 2.9
percent and 2.4 percent increases annually, respectively.
Dove hunting regulations for Louisiana in 2009-2010
were set at 70 days with a bag limit of 15 birds. A survey
of resident license holders indicates that approximately
32,800 Louisiana hunters harvested approximately
604,500 doves during the 2009-2010 hunting season. An
estimated 18,700 Eurasian collared-doves were also taken.
In addition to dove fields on 11 WMAs, LDWF leases
property from private landowners for public hunting. This
land is leased for public hunting on opening day only. In
2009, one field totaling 800 acres was leased. During the
opening weekend hunt, 414 hunters participated, bagging
1,503 doves.
In the spring of 2003, USFWS adopted a National
Mourning Dove Harvest Management Plan. Determining
current harvest rate in each management unit was identi-
fied as a key component of the plan. Wildlife Division
personnel banded 2,031 doves during July-August 2009
as part of a national effort to provide information needed
to develop harvest rate estimates for mourning doves.
Another aspect of this study has been the development of
production indices from mourning dove wings collected
from hunters. A Wildlife Division biologist participated in
the annual Mourning Dove Wing Bee held in Missouri.
24
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
During a three-day period, state and federal biologists
from across the country aged more than 50,000 wings.
Data are summarized in the Federal Aid W-55-24 Annual
Report.
A woodcock banding program was initiated in 1990 to
determine sex and age ratios, site fidelity, movement pat-
terns and harvest rates of woodcock wintering in
Louisiana. From December 2009 through February 2010,
186 woodcock were banded statewide. Of these, 77 were
banded on Sherburne WMA and 109 on three other sites,
but primarily Red River WMA and Tensas River National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). An additional eight birds banded
in prior years were also recaptured (two on Sherburne
and six on Red River). Five direct band recoveries and
two indirect (one or more years after banding) were
reported. All five direct recoveries by hunters were origi-
nally banded and taken on Sherburne WMA. One of the
direct recoveries was found dead in Michigan in April.
Indirect recoveries were recovered from New York and
Michigan. Data are summarized in the Federal Aid W-55-
24 Annual Report.
LDWF participated in the USFWS Annual Woodcock
Wing Bee in 2009. Data derived from aging and sexing
about 12,000 woodcock wings were used to develop
trend data on woodcock production and hunter success.
These data, in combination with breeding bird surveys,
are used to develop management strategies for woodcock.
Although many people in Louisiana consider woodcock
an under-utilized species, Louisiana's harvest of wood-
cock at one time ranked among the nation's highest.
However, the number of woodcock hunters has decreased
by over 90 percent since their peak in the early 1980s.
Nonetheless, Louisiana still consistently ranks fourth in
the nation for woodcock harvest. A survey of resident
license holders indicates that approximately 3,600
Louisiana hunters harvested 12,900 woodcock during the
2009-2010 season.
A poult production survey was initiated in 1994 to assess
annual brood rearing success and monitor long-term pro-
duction trends. The 2009 survey indicated a good hatch
in the west central region. A fair hatch was observed in
the southeast and south Mississippi/Atachafalya regions.
Poor production occurred in the northwest and north
Mississippi River floodplain.
The most recent hunter harvest survey indicated 17,500
turkey hunters harvested 5,600 wild turkeys during the
spring of 2009. The wild turkey population in Louisiana
is estimated at about 60,000 birds.
LDWF is involved in two major wild turkey research
projects. LDWF is supporting a wild turkey research
project on Sherburne WMA in conjunction with the LSU
School of Renewable Natural Resources, with additional
support from the National Wild Turkey Federation
(NWTF). This project is investigating the influence of
land management activities on raccoon predation of wild
turkey nests. LDWF is also engaged in banding gobblers
throughout the state. Banding gobblers, and subsequent
reporting by hunters of banded gobblers they harvest,
provides information needed to estimate wild turkey har-
vest rates throughout the state.
Statewide fall whistling counts were conducted on 34
randomly located routes and an additional five routes on
LDWF WMAs and the Kisatchie National Forest. All
regions of the state were unchanged from the prior year,
except for the northwest region which recorded a statisti-
cally significant increase. However, all regions exhibited
long-term (1983-2009) declines. A spring bobwhite sur-
vey was also conducted on the Sandy Hollow WMA.
Inferences about population status and habitat conditions
were developed based on the combined results of these
survey techniques and general observations by LDWF
personnel during the breeding season. Data are summa-
rized in the Federal Aid W-55-24 Annual Report.
A survey of resident license holders indicates that approx-
imately 1,100 Louisiana hunters harvested 5,100 wild
quail during the 2009-2010 season. Hunters were also
asked about their harvest of pen-raised quail. About 1,800
hunters harvested over 34,100 pen-raised quail.
LDWF continues to work with its partners to address the
decline in bobwhite populations. Habitat development
efforts using U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Farm Bill programs and the State Wildlife Grant (SWG)
Program have been developed and were operational in
2009-2010.
Louisiana has approximately 3.5 million acres of coastal
marsh that winter large and diverse waterfowl populations.
Aerial waterfowl inventories of the entire coastal marsh,
as well as associated agricultural lands in north central
and northeast Louisiana, are conducted each winter.
The mid-winter inventory conducted in early January
2010 indicated 3.43 million ducks and 685,000 geese
wintered in coastal marsh and inland areas of the
Mississippi Delta.
Based on federal harvest estimates from the 2009-2010
waterfowl hunting season, 80,000 active duck hunters
harvested 1.85 million ducks. This represents a 16 per-
cent increase in the number of duck hunters and a 6 per-
cent increase in duck harvest compared to the previous
year. Species composition included 29 percent blue-
winged teal, 20 percent green-winged teal, 15 percent
gadwall, 9 percent wood duck, and 8 percent mallard.
Mottled duck, pintail, shoveler, wigeon, scaup, ring-
necked duck, canvasback and redhead comprised the
remainder.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
25
Louisiana goose hunters harvested 74,000 geese during
the 2009-2010 waterfowl hunting season, a 51 percent
decrease from the previous year. Spring ice-out on arctic
breeding grounds was over 30 days late, resulting in vir-
tually no reproduction for goose populations that winter
in Louisiana and thus poor hunting. White-fronted geese
comprised 45 percent of the harvest and light geese
(snow and Ross') comprised 54 percent. Canada geese are
a locally important bird in the bag, but comprised less
than 2 percent of the total statewide goose harvest.
Louisiana continues to play an important role in
NAWMP. Louisiana's successful role in NAWMP is
largely due to the strength of our partnerships with the
Gulf Coast and Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Ventures.
LDWF strives to maintain ongoing projects and other
activities associated with NAWMP. In fiscal year 2009-
2010, the Russell Sage WMA North American Wetland
Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant enhancement project
was completed. This enhancement work included rebuild-
ing the levees on the greentree reservoir and replacing six
dilapidated water control structures. This work was need-
ed to ensure the levee and structures continued to func-
tion and prevent timber damage. An additional NAWCA
grant enhancement project on Sherburne WMA will be
initiated and completed during summer 2011. This project
includes installation of two wells and two water control
structures on 349 acres of moist soil habitat. The addition
of the two wells will provide a dependable source of
water for the three units and allow managers to flood the
units in late summer for early migrating waterfowl and
shorebirds. Planning and engineering to repair flood dam-
age that occurred during winter 2008-2009 on Boeuf
WMA's Crow Field Unit was completed. Construction
will be completed during fall 2010. This project was built
using NAWCA and Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) funding; however, additional work was
needed on the spillway and levees due to flood damage.
LDWF provided funding, equipment, personnel and/or
coordination on a waterfowl research project of high pri-
ority to NAWMP joint ventures in Louisiana. Bruce
Davis and Dr. Frank Rohwer completed the final year of
their three-year mottled duck telemetry study in south-
western Louisiana. Davis tracked radio-marked female
mottled ducks and found high use of intermediate marsh
during March and April and a shift to freshwater marsh
during May and June. Hurricanes Ike and Gustav provid-
ed an opportunity to document movements of radio-
marked mottled ducks due to hurricane effects. Results
indicated mottled ducks generally moved north into unaf-
fected freshwater marsh and agricultural areas in response
to hurricane storm surge. Comparisons with movement
data from 2009 reveal similar movement patterns in a
non-hurricane influenced year. Experimental pair counts
revealed high pair counts in fresh marsh habitats. This
study supports the need for habitat conservation efforts to
preserve the natural salinity gradient along the Louisiana
Gulf Coast.
Efforts to chemically and mechanically treat invasive
vegetation on Catahoula Lake were successful due to
favorable lake levels and weather. The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) recently awarded LDWF with a
permit to research the efficacy of bulldozing to control
invasive woody vegetation that is too large to spray or
mow. LDWF also initiated a cooperative research effort
with LSU to study the hydrology and vegetative response
on Catahoula Lake.
The Louisiana Waterfowl Project entered its 19th year
providing private landowners compensation to voluntarily
engage in wetland development projects. This is a coop-
erative statewide program involving LDWF, Ducks
Unlimited (DU), USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), USFWS and interested private landown-
ers. During 2009-2010, 6,546 acres were restored or
enhanced, technical assistance was provided on 81,442
acres, and 2,396 acres were under consideration for per-
petual conservation easements. To date, the Louisiana
Waterfowl Project has restored or enhanced over 100,118
acres and provided technical assistance on 732,685 acres.
Future Louisiana Waterfowl Project activities will
increase emphasis on marsh management needs, creation
of natural wetlands habitat in south Louisiana, and devel-
opment of conservation easements for important bottom-
land hardwood forest tracts in north Louisiana.
During 2009, LDWF banded 875 wood ducks, well below
the 1,334 banded the previous year. Banding efforts were
hampered by forest damage remaining from the 2008 hur-
ricanes and late summer flooding of most banding sites.
Approximately 378 wood ducks were captured in nesting
boxes and 497 were captured using rocket nets.
The wood duck nest-box program completed its 21st year
in 2010. LDWF personnel are maintaining 2,160 boxes
currently in use. That is substantially fewer than the peak
of 2,800 statewide a few years ago but is up slightly from
the 2,100 last year as we:
1. continue to rebuild and install boxes to replace those
lost from hurricane-related damage in 2005 and
2008, and
2. expand participation in the Private Lands Program.
Indeed, LDWF's focus is to replace old boxes that are
productive, move boxes that are not successful into more
productive habitat, and continue to expand the number of
boxes in the Private Lands Program. Utilization is moni-
tored currently at 1,900 boxes. Utilization has ranged
from 45-100 percent in past years with an average utiliza-
tion of about 80 percent.
The Louisiana black bear is designated as a threatened
species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
LDWF's bear research efforts are targeted at gathering
information that will enable the department to remove the
Louisiana black bear from the threatened list and to effec-
tively manage for sustainable black bear populations.
26
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Primary activities at the Tensas study area included con-
struction and monitoring of hair-trapping stations, live
trapping to deploy GPS collars, and monitoring radio-col-
lared females to determine survival and reproductive sta-
tus on Tensas River NWR, Big Lake WMA, Buckhorn
WMA and adjoining private lands. Hair-trapping is a
technique that involves using barbed wire to snag hair
from bears visiting bait sites. DNA analysis of the hair
samples is used to identify individual bears and develop
population estimates. Construction of 209 hair-trapping
stations began May 17, 2010 and was completed May 28,
2010. Initial baiting of sites took place during the week
of May 31, 2010 and sample collection began on June 7,
2010. During the first four one-week collection periods,
samples were collected from 160, 169, 173 and 167 sta-
tions per week, respectively, resulting in an average of
1,104 total samples collected each week. Samples will be
selected and sent to Wildlife Genetics International for
DNA extraction and genotyping.
Primary activities on the Upper Atchafalaya study area
involved construction and monitoring of hair-trapping
stations and live trapping to deploy GPS collars.
Construction of 115 hair-trapping stations began May 10,
2010 and was completed May 30, 2010. Initial baiting of
sites took place during the week of May 31, 2010 and
sample collection began on June 7, 2010. During the first
four one-week collection periods, samples were collected
from 54, 79, 73 and 87 stations per week, respectively,
resulting in an average of 455 total samples collected
each week. Likewise, samples will be selected and sent to
Wildlife Genetics International for DNA extraction and
genotyping.
During April, permission was obtained from 37 landown-
ers to access private properties within the study area,
locations of hair-trapping stations were determined, and
supplies were purchased. Construction of 119 hair-trap-
ping stations began May 17, 2010 and was completed
June 12, 2010. Initial baiting of sites took place during
the week of June 7, 2010 with sample collection begin-
ning on June 14, 2010 and continuing for eight weeks.
Samples were collected from an average of 38 stations
per week. A total of 672 samples were collected over the
eight-week sampling period with an average of 84 sam-
ples collected per week.
The Bear Safety In Mind Program is a cooperative pro-
gram with St. Mary Parish government. The goal of the
program is to inform and work with parish residents to
minimize or avoid conflicts with bears. As part of this
effort, an additional 900 bear proof garbage cans were
obtained and distributed in targeted areas of St. Mary
Parish.
A total of 31 bear mortalities were documented in 2010.
There were a total of 22 management captures of bears
for nuisance behavior.
The Urban and Nuisance Program coordinates the permit-
ting and issuance of various permits. Nuisance Wildlife
Control Operator permits and Nuisance Animal Control
permits are issued by the section to qualified profession-
als and to private individuals who are having problems
with nuisance wildlife and are deemed capable of taking
care of the problems on their own. In fiscal year 2009-
2010, there were 47 Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators
and 61 Nuisance Animal Control permits issued. The
Urban and Nuisance unit is also responsible for issuing
Wildlife Rehabilitation permits, Special Purpose and
Possession, and Nongame Quadruped Exhibitor and
Breeder permits. In fiscal year 2009-2010, 56 Wildlife
Rehabilitation permits, 15 Special Purpose and
Possession permits, and 28 Non-game Quadruped
Breeder and Exhibitor permits were issued. The largest
portion of daily activity includes technical and general
assistance provided to the public, other governmental
agencies and non-governmental organizations regarding
nuisance animals and injured wildlife. A total of 397 calls
were handled by this program in fiscal year 2009-2010.
The Urban and Nuisance Wildlife Program was discontin-
ued in January 2010. Nuisance wildlife calls were han-
dled by field office staff and referred to Nuisance Wildlife
Control Operators if further assistance was needed.
The statewide Wildlife Disease Program was adminis-
tered by the State Wildlife Veterinarian.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance continued
as 600 samples were submitted from all regions of the
state to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease
Study laboratory. Samples were collected from hunter-
killed deer which are considered low probability samples,
as well as from road-killed, pen- killed and taxidermy
specimens which are considered high probability sam-
ples. All samples tested negative for CWD.
Surveillance for Avian Influenza also continued. During
the sampling process, 750 migratory ducks were tested
for the disease. The majority of the birds were hunter-
killed birds. Biologists also combined efforts during
wood duck banding efforts to acquire Avian Influenza
samples from banded birds. Samples were tested at the
Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in
Baton Rouge, La. No birds tested positive for Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Due to the propensity for propagating and spreading dis-
eases of zoonotic concern and of concern to commercial
swine farmers, legislation was introduced in the 2009 leg-
islative session to prohibit free-ranging domestic swine
and to allow night hunting for feral swine during the
closed deer season. Surveillance of 142 feral swine for
Brucellosis and Pseudorabies revealed a 2 percent inci-
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
27
dence of both diseases. Surveillance efforts will continue.
In addition, LDWF cooperated with LSU and University
of Louisiana at Monroe graduate students to investigate
seasonal and regional variations in the stomach contents
of feral swine, as well as reproduction in feral swine.
In addition to numerous individual disease cases, the
State Wildlife Veterinarian and LDWF biologists investi-
gated an Avian Cholera outbreak near Houma, La. which
was responsible for the deaths of approximately 3,000
coots, and a case of lead intoxication which was responsi-
ble for the deaths of approximately 600 snow geese near
Gueydan, La.
LAND DEVELOPMENT &
MANAGEMENT
Land development and management includes activities
and programs that impact wildlife habitat on private
lands, as well as the management of LDWF's 52 WMAs.
Prior to fiscal year 2009-2010, the state was divided into
seven regions for Wildlife Division administrative pur-
poses. In fiscal year 2009-2010, the Wildlife Division
was reorganized and staff were assigned to ecoregions
(Gulf Coastal Plain or Mississippi Alluvial Valley).
Within each ecoregion, personnel were assigned to either
the WMA or Private Lands Program. This new structure
enables staff to focus efforts on management of WMAs
and enhances delivery of services to private landowners
and managers.
Land acquired for the express purpose of establishing
WMAs and refuges is the most effective means to pro-
tect, conserve, replenish and manage the natural resources
and diverse wildlife habitat of the state. LDWF acquired
3,828.25 acres of land during fiscal year 2009-2010.
Through a grant funded by USFWS, namely NAWCA,
LDWF added two tracts of land known as Dendiger I and
Dendiger II comprising 338 acres and 2,538 acres,
respectively, to the Joyce WMA in Tangipahoa Parish.
A 20-acre tract, known as Rosedale in Iberville Parish,
was acquired from a private seller and added to the
Sherburne WMA. LDWF also added 931 acres to the
Little River WMA in Grant Parish to provide recreational
opportunities and to conserve the state's diverse wildlife
resources indigenous to that area. Lastly, LDWF acquired
ownership of a 1.25-acre facility used as the headquarters
for the operations and management of the Red River
WMA in Concordia Parish.
The private lands program offers technical assistance to
landowners, land managers, hunting clubs and others who
desire to improve habitat and/or manage wildlife on their
property. Assistance can vary from answering simple
questions to a comprehensive written management plan.
Assistance is not only available for traditional game spe-
cies such as deer, ducks and turkeys, but includes all
wildlife and their habitats - from hummingbirds to long-
leaf pine savannahs.
Many landowners are already working with a natural
resource professional, such as a consulting forester, or are
enrolled in state or federal programs such as DMAP,
Forest Stewardship and/or USDA NRCS programs such
as the Wetland Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve
Program or Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. LDWF
private lands biologists cooperate with other natural
resource professionals to achieve the landowner's objec-
tives. Most importantly, landowners are encouraged to
develop a cooperative relationship with LDWF private
lands biologists and other natural resource professionals.
Wildlife habitat is dynamic, and with the assistance of
knowledgeable wildlife professionals, landowners can
provide productive habitat for wildlife while meeting
other goals they may have, such as income generation
and recreational opportunity.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, private lands program biol-
ogists wrote 50 management plans, affecting 28,775
acres. They conducted 78 site visits with landowners
affecting 110,625 acres, and responded to 2,288 requests
for information. Under an agreement with USDA NRCS,
private lands biologists conducted 172 inspections of
Wetland Reserve Program properties.
Private lands program biologists are also responsible for
carrying out activities such as duck and dove banding,
wildlife surveys, collection of biological data for
research, habitat evaluations, issuing of alligator tags,
delivery of DMAP/LADT, and public outreach. Private
lands biologists also responded to the MC252 (BP
Deepwater Horizon) oil spill.
The Wildlife Division was re-organized in fiscal year
2009-2010 in an effort to efficiently deliver statewide
programs including the WMA program. This reorganiza-
tion included the assignment of four biologist managers
in four ecoregions to administer the WMA program with-
in that region. The ecoregions consist of:
• Gulf Coastal Plain-West
• Gulf Coastal Plain-East
• Mississippi Alluvial Valley-North
• Mississippi Alluvial Valley-South
• Alexander State Forest
• Bayou Pierre
• Bodcau
• Camp Beauregard
• Clear Creek
• Elbow Slough
• Fort Polk
• Jackson-Bienville
• Loggy Bayou
• Marsh Bayou
• Peason Ridge
• Sabine
• Sabine Island
• Soda Lake
• Walnut Hill
28
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
• West Bay
• Union
Total of 385,298 Acres
Habitat ranges from extensive coastal marshes, to prairies
and vast agricultural areas, to hardwood bottoms, to roll-
ing hills of pine plantations, and mixed pine-hardwoods.
The WMAs are managed to provide diverse wildlife habi-
tat that supports numerous game and non-game wildlife
and provides quality outdoor recreational opportunities
for the public. A total of 180,673 user days were estimat-
ed for GCPW WMAs. Managed deer hunts were con-
ducted on several of the WMAs to collect accurate infor-
mation on herd health and hunter success rates.
Special guided youth-only lottery turkey hunts were con-
ducted on Ft. Polk, Jackson Bienville, Loggy Bayou and
Union WMAs. In addition to the regular physically chal-
lenged hunts scheduled on several WMAs, a lottery phys-
ically challenged hunt was conducted on Sabine WMA.
The Sabine physically challenged hunt is done in con-
junction with the local organization known as H.E.L.P.
(Hunters Enriching the Lives of People). Persons partici-
pating in the hunt are fed, provided transportation to
blinds, assisted with recovering/cleaning deer, and any
special needs. The hunt is intended to get people into the
field that may not otherwise have an opportunity to hunt.
The WMAs are managed for a variety of fish and wildlife
and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. These
areas are readily accessible and are very popular with the
public. Along with public hunting and fishing opportuni-
ties, these areas provide many types of non-consumptive
activities. Four wheelchair-bound hunting blinds were
built in the "Limited Use Area" of Clear Creek WMA,
and two were built on Alexander State Forest WMA
which provided deer and turkey hunting opportunities for
qualified hunters.
The WMAs are leased free of charge to LDWF for public
use from private landowners (Forest Capital Partners
LLC, Roy O. Martin, U.S. Army, U.S. Forest Service,
Forest Investments, Calcasieu School Board, Molpus, and
the State of Louisiana). To continue these lease areas,
region personnel are required to meet and negotiate annu-
al agreements with the landowners. The leases help the
landowners to properly manage and maintain their prop-
erties for wildlife and public recreation.
GCPW personnel administered a variety of Wildlife
Division activities. These include environmental assess-
ments, technical assistance, research, planning, develop-
ment, management, and alligator and nuisance animal
programs. Technical advice is provided to the public,
NWRs, and state, federal and local agencies. GCPW han-
dled a large number of resident alligator hunting applica-
tions issuing public lake and private land licenses, as well
as processing nuisance complaints.
Personnel also reviewed and monitored oil and gas explo-
ration activities and interstate pipeline installations on
several GCPW WMAs. Haynesville Shale gas produc-
tion/exploration on Loggy Bayou and Bayou Pierre
WMAs created a heavy demand on the time of the
GCPW WMA Biologist Supervisor located in the Minden
office. A minimum of 50 percent of his workload was
related to mineral production.
GCPW WMA personnel participated in the MC252 (BP
Deepwater Horizon) oil spill response effort.
• Ben's Creek
• Hutchinson Creek
• Joyce
• Lake Ramsey Savannah
• Manchac
• Maurepas Swamp
• Pearl River
• Sandy Hollow
• Tangipahoa Parish School Board
• Tunica Hills
Total of 164,837 acres.
Habitat types range from marshes and swamps, to rugged
loess bluff uplands.
The WMAs are open for public use such as hunting, fish-
ing, bird watching, sightseeing, boating, hiking, horse-
back riding, photography and berry picking, as well as
many other outdoor recreational activities. Over 116,869
user days were recorded on the WMAs during fiscal year
2009-2010. An alligator season was open on four WMAs
with a harvest of 272 alligators by 13 commercial alliga-
tor trappers. To facilitate recreational alligator harvest, 30
additional people were selected by lottery to harvest up to
three alligators each on the Pearl River and Joyce WMAs.
The recreational hunters harvested 65 alligators. WMA
personnel began posting some 2,729 acres of new WMA
lands acquired during the year, as well as maintaining
existing WMA boundaries, buildings, equipment, roads
and trails. Managed public hunts were also conducted on
several region WMAs.
On the Sandy Hollow WMA, 1,156 acres of longleaf pine
habitat were enhanced by prescribed burning. Three miles
of bird dog field trial courses were maintained, as well as
six dove fields and 10 acres of upland bird food plots. In
addition, 272 acres were prescribed burned on the Lake
Ramsay WMA by The Nature Conservancy. There were
600 longleaf seedlings planted on Lake Ramsey as part of
the on-going longleaf pine restoration project.
GCPE personnel maintained 198 wood duck boxes, par-
ticipated in the statewide mourning dove banding pro-
gram, responded to numerous deer and nuisance animal
complaints, provided technical assistance to the public,
conducted public meetings, and collected white-tailed
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
29
deer brain and lymph node samples across the region for
CWD testing. GCPE personnel continued to work with
the deer program manager to collect deer reproductive
data to better pinpoint peak deer breeding periods within
the region.
Feral hogs that can threaten native wildlife populations
continue to expand in many parts of the region.
Aggressive control methods have been used on certain
WMAs, such as Pearl River, to reduce their numbers.
Each year, feral hog blood samples are tested for a vari-
ety of diseases.
GCPE WMA personnel played a major role in the
MC252 (BP Deepwater Horizon) oil spill response effort.
• Bayou Macon
• Big Colewa Bayou
• Big Lake
• Boeuf
• Buckhorn
• Floy Ward McElroy
• Ouachita
• Russell Sage
• Sicily Island
Total of 112,697 acres.
The primary habitat type found on MAVN WMAs is the
Mississippi River Alluvial Valley bottomland forest.
Several of the WMAs feature reclaimed agricultural lands
which have been reforested with bottomland forest hard-
wood species. Moist soil management units and greentree
reserviors are managed to provide habitat for waterfowl
and other wetland birds.
MAVN biologists conducted a wide range of activities
including research and surveys involving mourning
doves, Canada geese, wood ducks, wild turkey, bald
eagles, bobwhite quail, shorebirds, white-tailed deer and
other species. Additional effort was expended conducting
public meetings, interacting with various universities as
well as parish, state and federal agencies in reference to
projects of mutual concern, conducting the alligator man-
agement program at the eco-region level and numerous
additional projects.
MAVN WMAs were managed to provide habitat for deer,
turkeys, squirrels, waterfowl, rabbits, doves, shorebirds
and other non-game birds, furbearers, as well as other
species. Recreational opportunities were provided to
thousands of hunters, fishers, campers, sightseers and
other public users. Recreational user days recorded for
MAVN WMAs exceeded 88,000. Deer hunting was
extremely popular with 18,804 hunters harvesting 1,095
deer during the either-sex gun, primitive weapon and
archery hunts. Youth deer and dove hunters on Big Lake,
Boeuf, Buckhorn, Russell Sage and Floy McElroy
WMAs had a successful season. Deer and waterfowl
hunting opportunities were provided for wheelchair con-
fined hunters on Big Colewa Bayou, Buckhorn and
Ouachita WMAs. Turkey hunting was provided on Bayou
Macon, Big Lake, Boeuf and Sicily Island Hills WMAs.
Big Lake, Boeuf, Buckhorn, Ouachita and Russell Sage
WMAs provided quality waterfowl hunting for 9,777
hunters, including some who traveled from Missouri,
Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia,
North Carolina and Indiana. A total of 6,377 small game
hunters enjoyed squirrel and rabbit hunting.
MAVN WMA technicians performed a variety of develop-
ment and maintenance functions such as boundary mark-
ing, road maintenance, water control structure operation,
moist soil management, timber marking, shorebird man-
agement, beaver and other nuisance animal control, farm
contract supervision, equipment maintenance, public user
data collection, vegetation control, food plot planting, and
reforestation. They also assisted biological staff in con-
ducting managed hunts and research projects. One new
public parking area was constructed on Ouachita WMA.
The "Wish I Could ATV Trail Ride," an annual one-day
ATV trail riding event, was held on Boeuf WMA on June
5, 2010. The event attracted 2,024 ATV riders who
entered the WMA to ride the 17-mile long trail. This ATV
trail ride is sponsored by a charitable organization and is
legislatively mandated. Even though this event is
extremely popular, it has caused extensive ecological
damage to hundreds of acres of bottomland hardwood
habitat, virtually destroying the original ATV trail.
MAVN WMA personnel participated in the MC252 (BP
Deepwater Horizon) oil spill response effort.
• Acadiana Conservation Corridor
• Attakapas
• Dewey W. Wills
• Elm Hall
• Grassy Lake
• Little River
• Pomme de Terre
• Red River
• Sherburne
• Spring Bayou
• Thistlethwaite
• Three Rivers
Total of 244,010 acres.
Catahoula Lake is an additional area of responsibility.
One USFWS Refuge (Atchafalaya NWR) and two
USACE properties (Bayou des Ourses and Shatters
Bayou) are also managed within the MAVS.
Habitat types range from mixed pine-hardwoods to back-
water bottomland hardwoods interspersed with agricultur-
al lands, and cypress-tupelo swamps to open-water areas.
30
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
MAVS personnel administer and manage a variety of
wildlife oriented activities. Region personnel work in con-
junction with and provide technical advice to many differ-
ent agencies, including other state agencies, USFWS,
USACE, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
(LDNR), Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality, USDA, and local parish entities. MAVS person-
nel helped administer alligator and nuisance animal pro-
grams. Personnel assisted with program projects such as
dove and wood duck banding, as well as deer, woodcock,
turkey, black bear and nongame research projects.
The WMAs are maintained and managed to provide out-
door recreation opportunities for all user groups, includ-
ing both consumptive and non-consumptive. WMA per-
sonnel performed a variety of development and mainte-
nance functions such as boundary marking, building
maintenance, road maintenance, water control structure
operation, moist soil management, beaver and other nui-
sance animal control, farm contract supervision, equip-
ment maintenance, public user data collection, vegetation
control, food plot planting, reforestation, and conducting
managed hunts.
Recreational user days recorded on MAVS WMAs totaled
168,401 by hunters, fishers, campers, sightseers, bird-
watchers and other public users.
White-tailed deer is the most popular game species hunt-
ed in the MAVS. Either-sex deer hunts were held on
WMAs, with over 9,800 user-days recorded, with approx-
imately 800 deer harvested on these hunts. In addition,
bucks only, youth/handicapped, archery and muzzleloader
hunts also took place, where an additional 675 deer were
harvested. Turkey hunts were held on four WMAs, where
69 turkeys were harvested by an estimated 1,585 users.
This includes 27 youth hunters who participated in the
Sherburne, Spring Bayou and Grassy Lake youth lottery
hunts. A member of NWTF or Region VI MAVS staff
member served as a guide for each youth hunter to ensure
a quality hunt and teach youth the techniques and safety
of turkey hunting. Squirrel and rabbit hunting is also very
popular on the region's bottomland hardwood WMAs,
accounting for over 15,618 user days. Waterfowl hunting
is very popular as well on MAVS WMAs in moist soil
impoundments, greentree reservoirs, swamps and flooded
bottoms. Waterfowl user days totaled over 8,200 for this
period. Dove fields are maintained, along with many
acres of food plots. Hogs have populated many of our
WMAs and have become another hunting opportunity.
Permits were issued to take hogs with the aid of dogs
during a special late season on the WMAs. Over 75 per-
mits were issued to individuals for this purpose.
Biologists and technicians maintain and monitor over 650
wood duck boxes, conduct pre-season wood duck band-
ing, and collect samples for CWD, Avian Influenza and
other disease testing. They also assisted with numerous
nuisance animal complaints, illegally held deer and sick
deer complaints. Biologists assisted LSU researchers with
ongoing research projects.
Youth lottery deer and duck hunts were also held in
MAVS, with great success on these hunts. Fourteen youth
waterfowl lottery hunters harvested 50 ducks, for an aver-
age of 3.6 ducks per youth hunter. Seventy-eight youth
deer lottery hunters harvested 14 deer, but many deer
were observed and some harvest opportunities were
missed. These hunts are held in refuge areas set aside for
youth hunts, where these youth hunters have a quality
hunt and learn about hunting in a safe environment.
Wheelchair-bound waterfowl and deer hunts were held in
MAVS with much participation and success from this
group of hunters.
Alligator applications were reviewed, and licenses and
tags were issued to about 75 WMA hunters. There were
eight WMA alligator hunters who bid on tags on the
WMAs, but only three of the eight WMAs had hunters
participate in the season, mostly due to low prices for har-
vested alligators. These hunters were issued 139 tags,
with all tags being filled. The average length of the alliga-
tors harvested was over 7 feet, with an average price of
$7.50 received for the alligators. In addition to these hunt-
ers, 66 lottery hunters were issued tags. This lottery hunt
is done through an application process, with each hunter
selected receiving three tags. This gives the public an
opportunity to participate in the alligator harvest program.
Routine maintenance activities on MAVS areas included
road grading, culvert replacement, spot road repairs,
drainage improvements, beaver control, boundary work,
sign replacement, self-clearing station maintenance, vege-
tation control, equipment maintenance, and facility
upkeep. In addition, WMA personnel conducted user
interviews and operated weigh stations. Wildlife food
plots were also planted on several MAVS WMAs.
Efforts to improve the road system on Dewey Wills
WMA continue. The storage shed was refurbished and
the water system completely re-done on Red River WMA
in fiscal year 2009-2010. Spot repairs on WMA roads
were made as funding allowed.
MAVS WMA personnel participated in the MC252 (BP
Deepwater Horizon) oil spill response effort.
The mission of the Forest Management Program is to
improve forest and wildlife habitat on WMAs though
sound forest management, reforestation practices and for-
est/wildlife research activities.
Harvest preparations, including sale layout, inventory,
regeneration counts, marking, Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) map development, proposal preparations
and sale amendments, were completed on Alexander
State Forest, Big Lake, Dewey Wills, Grassy Lake, Marsh
Bayou, Russell Sage, Spring Bayou and Three Rivers
WMAs. Economic struggles in the forest industry con-
tributed to low interest and prices for timber sales.
Harvests to improve wildlife habitat were attempted and/
or conducted on Alexander State Forest, Boeuf, Dewey
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
31
Wills, Grassy Lake, Red River, Russell Sage, Spring
Bayou and Three Rivers WMAs.
Chemical treatments of invasive/non-native species, pri-
marily Chinese tallow tree and cogon grass, continued on
Lake Ramsey, Pearl River, Sandy Hollow and Sherburne
WMAs. No beetle outbreaks were reported on Sicily
Island or Little River WMAs this year. Beaver control
activities continued with 127 beavers and 78 dams
removed from Big Lake, Boeuf, Buckhorn and Dewey
Wills WMAs. No forest loss was reported this year from
beaver activity. Drought conditions brought forth difficult
trapping conditions this year, resulting in the low trapping
numbers. Beaver removed in fiscal year 2009-2010 was
47 percent lower than the previous three-year average of
238 beavers removed.
Monitoring the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on the for-
est resources of Pearl River WMA continued. This moni-
toring included research on woody/herbaceous response,
arthropod response and bird response. Search efforts for
the ivory-billed woodpecker continued on the area with
aerial and ground searches initiated and completed.
Monitoring efforts also continued on Sherburne WMA to
document the impacts of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.
Reforestation work continued on LDWF properties with
concentration on Boeuf, Marsh Bayou, Ouachita and Red
River WMAs. Site development and preparation, seedling
and seed planting, survival plot establishment, and sur-
vival checks were all completed in fiscal year 2009-2010.
Approximately 295 acres were reforested/afforested dur-
ing the 2009-2010 planting season.
Acorn and other tree seed collections, along with pur-
chase of quality seed, were conducted to ensure a seed
and seedling source for future reforestation efforts. The
annual WMA mast survey aids this effort by concentrat-
ing collection efforts where the most needed species are
available. The mast survey also provides an indication of
the future abundance of forest wildlife species such as
squirrels.
GPS work on WMA trails, roads, lakes, compartments
and area boundaries was accomplished to aid the WMA
management program. GIS program development contin-
ued with emphasis on updating timber sale data, boundar-
ies, roads and streams to complement WMA forest man-
agement and development activities.
Growth Monitoring Plots were read on Big Lake and
Three Rivers WMAs. These permanent plots aid in moni-
toring habitat conditions and long-term effects of the for-
est management program on the habitat components rep-
resented on the WMAs.
An avian productivity and survival monitoring project
continued on Sherburne WMA with seven stations and on
Pearl River WMA with two stations. Forestry Section
personnel provided support for this project, expected to
continue for 10 years (this completed year seven). Results
from this study will aid in understanding of avian use of
various silvicultural treatments applied across WMAs.
Forestry Section personnel continued to implement the
Louisiana Statewide Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW)
Safe Harbor Program (SHP) to benefit the federally and
state endangered RCW. Eight new Safe Harbor
Management Agreements were entered into with private
landowners. With the addition of these lands, LDWF has
entered into a total of 14 Safe Harbor Management
Agreements, enrolling 431,620 acres in the RCW SHP
with 100 baseline RCW family groups and two above
baseline RCW family groups. LDWF personnel conduct-
ed annual site visits to 10 SHP properties to confirm
compliance with the voluntary RCW management activi-
ties that each landowner agreed to implement on their
property and to provide technical assistance regarding
RCW management. Forestry Section personnel continue
to promote SHP via press releases, presentations at public
forums, and the LDWF website.
Forestry Section personnel also continued to implement
the Louisiana Landowner Incentive Program which pro-
vides cost-share dollars for RCW management on SHP
enrolled lands. Management activities eligible for funding
include RCW artificial cavity installation and mainte-
nance, prescribed burning, herbicide treatments to remove
hardwood midstory in pine stands, mechanical removal of
hardwood midstory in pine stands, and RCW demograph-
ic monitoring. Participating landowners provided a 25
percent match to the federal Landowner Incentive
Program funds LDWF received from USFWS.
Approximately $140,000 of $155,000 total federal dollars
have been distributed to private landowners via profes-
sional service contracts. LDWF expects to have all
Louisiana Landowner Incentive Program funds expended
by October 2011.
Forestry Section personnel performed RCW demographic
monitoring and management for 13 RCW family groups
at Alexander State Forest WMA located in Woodworth.
These activities include but are not limited to:
• annual activity status checks of over 200 RCW cavi-
ty trees.
• adult RCW capturing and color banding.
• RCW nest checks and nestling color banding.
• RCW fledgling checks to determine survivorship.
• RCW artificial cavity installation and maintenance.
• midstory control in 14 RCW cluster sites.
• providing technical assistance to Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry staff regard-
ing timber management to benefit the RCW.
In addition, Forestry Section personnel performed RCW
demographic monitoring for one RCW family group at
Southeast Louisiana Hospital located in Mandeville and
provided training and technical assistance to USFWS
staff performing RCW demographic monitoring for 17
RCW family groups at Big Branch Marsh NWR in
Lacombe.
32
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Other survey and research projects on the WMAs that
were supported by Forestry Section staff involved wild-
life use of forested habitats and their response to various
silvicultural treatments. Continued research efforts, espe-
cially long-term, will be sought and cooperatively
engaged in to learn more about the forest systems man-
aged across the state. Continuing education for the
Forestry Section staff occurred through participation at
various workshops, seminars, research meetings and con-
ferences throughout the year.
EDUCATION
Conservation education is a vital part of the LDWF mis-
sion. The Education Section within the Wildlife Division
focused on three main areas:
• Hunter Education
• Aquatic Education
• General Wildlife Education
Staffing for the Education Program consists of 14 educa-
tors who work in the field, three supervisors, one admin-
istrative specialist, one education manager, and one edu-
cation program manager. Three wildlife technicians staff
LDWF-operated shooting ranges, and one maintenance
repairer is responsible for maintenance of an education
facility.
LDWF's Hunter Education Program provided training
and certification in hunter education, bowhunter educa-
tion and muzzleloader education, as well as assisting with
other related educational programs.
Certification cards for hunter and bowhunter education
students and instructor courses were provided to persons
who successfully completed the necessary requirements.
Hard copies were filed as well as stored electronically for
all courses administered.
In August 2009, an on-line registration program was
implemented, whereby users can register for a hunter edu-
cation course solely on-line. Known as "Event Manager,"
this program contains a calendar which displays a sched-
ule of hunter and bowhunter education courses being
taught and allows the user to choose a course and then
register for the class they choose. It the future, plans are
to use this program to electronically enter course rosters
directly into the hunter education data base.
Due to travel restrictions, no LDWF staff attended the
International Hunter Education Association Convention
in 2010, but did attend the Region 4 Hunter Education
Administrators Meeting in Decatur, Ala.
Student certifications for hunter education were up from
last fiscal year but down for bowhunter education.
Requests for bowhunter education continue to decline as
this requirement is no longer mandatory on federal refug-
es in Louisiana. Results are as follows:
A total of 198 new volunteer hunter education instructors
were trained and provided with credentials to teach hunt-
er education in the State of Louisiana through 17 instruc-
tor courses. In addition, two bowhunter education instruc-
tor courses resulted in 20 persons being certified to teach
bowhunter education. One statewide workshop was
planned and carried out at Camp Grant Walker in
Pollock, La. with 86 instructors in attendance. This work-
shop is usually held in March, but due to budget short-
falls it was postponed until August to coincide with the
start of a new fiscal year.
A review of the LDWF Louisiana Hunter Education
Program was conducted July 27-31, 2009 in Baton
Rouge, La. The USFWS's Multistate Conservation Grant
Program provided the funding to the International Hunter
Education Association to conduct the review. The purpose
of the review was to determine if the highest quality of
hunter education information and the most up-to-date
teaching techniques are being used, as well as identify
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within
the Louisiana Hunter Education Program. The team uti-
lized several evaluation methods including a review of
federal assistance documents, budgetary information,
organizational charts, procedures and policy manual,
position descriptions, and a mail in survey. The team
interviewed the Louisiana Hunter Education Program
staff as well as Wildlife Division administrative staff and
attended one hunter education course being taught during
its visit. Overall the program received a favorable review
and the volunteer instructors who teach in Louisiana were
cited as being passionate and dedicated to their job. In as
much as we are doing a good job overall with our pro-
gram, some needs were pointed out. Recommendations
made were noted and will be addressed towards improve-
ment of the program. LDWF and the Hunter Education
staff wishes to express a sincere thank you to our review-
ers and all who took the time to provide comments that
will be used to better our program. The review team con-
sisted of the following individuals:
• Wayne East, Executive Director, International Hunter
Education Association
• Ray Metzler, Hunter Education Administrator,
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Recourses
• Terry Erwin, Hunter Education Administrator, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department
464 16,123 85%
110 2,900 15%
574 19,023 100%
A total of 509 people for 31 courses were certied in bow-
hunter education in Louisiana.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
33
• Wayne Waltz, USFWF Division of Federal
Assistance, Region 4, Charleston, South Carolina
• Brie Barr, USFWS Division of Federal Assistance,
Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico
In response to the peer review, an incentive program that
awards volunteer instructors based upon years of service
has been implemented. The initial awards were presented
at the August workshop. Awards are given according to
instructors in five-year increments.
Volunteers contributed 27,453 hours of in-kind service
time for fiscal year 2009-2010.
A total of nine hunting incidents were documented for
fiscal year 2009-2010. All were Class A incidents and
non-fatal. Results were compiled by type and category
and entered into the National Hunter Education Incident
Database and made available to volunteer instructors.
Major factors for these incidents were as follows:
LDWF staffs and operates two education centers and four
public shooting ranges.
Located in Bossier Parish on Bodcau WMA, upgrades to
this facility were recently completed with monies and
labor provided by the Bossier Parish Police Jury and
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office. The range expansion proj-
ect has provided an increase in shooting opportunities to
the public. More improvements are planned for fiscal
year 2010–2011. Shooting accommodations consist of 12
shooting points for rifle and 10 for handgun. A shotgun
shooting station with one clay target thrower and a
10-target archery range allows shooters to participate in
recreational target shooting as well as sharpen their skills
for hunting season. The range is open to the public three
days a week and is staffed by one technician.
The Woodworth Education Center, located in Rapides
Parish, contains both classroom and sleeping facilities
and a public shooting range. In the spring of 2010, a
complaint of an errant round fired from a rifle at the
Woodworth range was reported to the manager at
Woodworth. It was found that a bullet had struck a build-
ing at a State Forestry Headquarters located behind the
range. An investigation followed, and as a result the range
was shut down due to safety concerns. The range is now
being reconstructed with the direction of its firing line
being reoriented away from the State Forestry complex.
The range opened on a limited basis in September 2010
and will include the addition of a handgun range.
Volunteer help to operate the range is provided by the
Bayou State Muzzleloaders Association as well as other
volunteers from the local community
Located in Pointe Coupee Parish, the Sherburne range
consists of one skeet field, one archery range, one hand-
gun range and one rifle range. It is operated by one tech-
nician and is available to the public seven days per week.
In 2008, the Sherburne range facility suffered damage
from Hurricane Gustav. The roof and frame on both of
the rifle and handgun ranges had to be repaired. The
pavilion on shotgun range #2 was completely demolished.
It has since been rebuilt, and plans are being made to
completely rebuild the overheads on both the rifle and
handgun range with metal in order to have a stronger
platform to face storms. The skeet field high and low
houses on shotgun range #1 were completely demolished
due to their poor condition and safety hazard. Manual
throwers have been installed in their place to provide
some shooting opportunity.
The Waddill Outdoor Refuge in East Baton Rouge Parish
provides a needed outdoor education environment in an
urban setting. A classroom, solar power shotgun range
and outdoor setting provide an ideal opportunity to teach
hunter education. The refuge is staffed by one manager
and one technician. An air rifle range is planned in order
to encourage youth participation in rifle shooting sports.
The Honey Island Shooting range, located on Pearl River
WMA in St. Tammany Parish, is managed under an MOU
agreement by the Southeast Louisiana Firearms Safety,
Inc. This group of volunteers is a non-profit organization
that completely handles all aspects of operating the range
for public use. Shotgun, rifle and handgun shooting oppor-
tunities are available to the public. Solar power is in the
process of being installed at the range to provide electrical
service. All expenses are being covered by range fees col-
lected by the Southeast Louisiana Firearms Safety, Inc.
The range is open to the public three days per week. Some
of the members also serve as hunter education instructors
and offer year-round field day courses at the range.
Volunteer hours accrued from the Woodworth and Pearl
River Ranges totaled 5,555.
The Education Section of LDWF introduces people to the
sport of fishing and promotes awareness of the aquatic
resources in the state through both public programs and
teacher training.
Victim out of Sight of Shooter 3
Failure to Identify Target 1
Trigger Caught on Object 1
Loading Firearm 1
Careless Handling of Firearm 1
Failure to Check Beyond Target 2
Total Incidents 9
34
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Volunteer hours from field activities were documented
and stored electronically, as well as hard copies filed.
Standard equipment such as fishing tackle to be used for
fishing programs were purchased as needed. In addition,
aquatic staff participated in the following conferences:
• Southern Association of Marine Educators.
• American Fisheries Society Conference.
• LUMCON's H
2
O Water Quality Teacher Workshop
(mentor).
• Gulf of Mexico Diversity (Underserved/
Underprivileged) Symposium.
• Louisiana Science Teachers Association.
• Environmental Education Symposium.
Aquatic education clinics were held statewide that result-
ed in 6,955 volunteers hours generated. Subjects covered
in aquatic education clinics include outdoor ethics, fish
identification, tackle selection and fishing techniques.
Participants also are involved in actual fishing activities.
Three publications were distributed to teachers in the
school system for classroom use:
• "Fishing For Fun" - 6,095 distributed
• "Let's Go Fishing" - 9,198 distributed
• "Finnie The Fingerling" - 4,932 distributed
These publications promote an appreciation of aquatic
resources and their habitat.
Teacher workshops were conducted to provide training in
aquatic education that can be brought back to the class-
room. The following workshops were conducted:
Project Wild (Aquatic)
The Project WILD coordinator position was moved into
the Environmental Education Division. The individual
who had taken this position has since moved on to anoth-
er job and this position is now vacant. No workshops are
being taught at this time.
Wetland Education for Teachers (WETSHOP)
WETSHOP was canceled due to the Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill. The lab facility located on Grand Isle, La. was
used for oil spill work and the island itself was heavily
impacted by oil.
Coastal Wetland Workshops
Coastal Wetlands Workshops were held to train teachers
on the subject of wetlands ecology in coastal habitats.
Wonder of Wetlands manuals, as well as other resources,
were issued to enable teachers to bring this knowledge
back into the classroom. A total of five workshops were
held statewide which resulted in 100 teachers being
trained.
Educational programs were held at the Booker Fowler
Fish Hatchery to demonstrate the techniques used to raise
fish in an artificial environment. Tours of the hatchery
were conducted for school students and the general pub-
lic. Educational materials and special presentations were
made available through the visitor center. There were
approximately 330 students educated through the hatchery
aquatic education program during fiscal year 2009-2010.
A multidisciplinary, classroom-based aquaculture stew-
ardship project for intermediate to high school students.
The overall goal of the NFC project is to assist students
in developing an attitude of stewardship toward natural
resources and to create a constructive, active learning sit-
uation in which they can explore strategies for sustaining
aquatic ecosystems. Students obtain hands-on, real-sci-
ence knowledge of the state's native aquatic resources.
During the 2009-2010 school year, 18 Louisiana teachers
participated in the NFC project which impacted approxi-
mately 2,500 students. Teachers attend several workshops
and meetings to ensure successful preparation for receiv-
ing paddlefish eggs in the spring. Teachers participated in
the spring paddlefish spawn where they receive paddle-
fish eggs. Louisiana paddlefish were raised from eggs to
fingerlings which were then returned to the LDWF
Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery. Schools bring students on
a field trip to the hatchery to return their classroom-raised
fish. The hatchery then returned the fish to the wild.
This workbook was developed to provide guidance on the
inner workings of how the day to day operations of a fish
hatchery are conducted. Readers are taken on a guided
tour by "Finnie the Fingerling" of the Booker Fowler Fish
Hatchery. Information is provided on how fish are
spawned and released into the wild.
The general public is shown appreciation of its support
by being invited to join LDWF in an open house atmo-
sphere that involves hands-on activities and a closer look
at department-sponsored programs and activities. The
Hunter Education Section provided training for the public
in the safe use of shooting equipment. Four LDWF-
sponsored events were held at the following locations:
• Bodcau Shooting Range
• Monroe office facility
• Woodworth Education Center
• Waddill Outdoor Refuge
A total of 6,850 participants attended.
BOW continues be a popular program with women inter-
ested in learning about outdoor recreation. Education
staff and volunteers conducted activities which taught
outdoor skills including shooting, fishing, canoeing and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
35
wildlife appreciation. One statewide event was conducted
with 132 participants in attendance.
FUN Camp provides both fun and education to a parent
and youth through a weekend of staff-lead outdoor activi-
ties. Family members are introduced to the safe use of
firearms and other recreational shooting equipment. The
education staff participated in two FUN Camps for fiscal
year 2009-2010.
The Louisiana state NASP tournament was held February
2010 at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, La., where
131 shooters were in attendance. Currently 98 schools are
conducting NASP training as a part of their curriculum.
In July 2009, the LDWF Shooting Sports coordinator,
Cliff Dailey, attended the 2009 NASP Conference in
Flipp’n, Ark. Much knowledge and information was
gained on coordinating a NASP program.
The education staff supports and participates in activities
sponsored by non-governmental organizations such as
DU, NWTF and the Quality Deer Management Associa-
tion which provide opportunities to educate the public
about wildlife conservation and hunting safety.
36
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
COASTAL &
NONGAME
RESOURCES
ROCKEFELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE
Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge (RWR), located in coastal
Cameron and Vermilion parishes, was created in 1920
through a land donation developed by E.A. McIlhenny.
He later persuaded the Rockefeller Foundation to deed
the area to Louisiana, with the original intention of pro-
viding a sanctuary/preserve for waterfowl. The refuge
also serves as a research site for marsh management strat-
egies (i.e., limiting saline encroachment, reversing marsh
deterioration, and providing productive wildlife habitat),
while also serving as a research site for fisheries/wildlife
research by RWR staff and other governmental/academic
agencies. RWR staff provide professional expertise for
the implementation of international, federal, and state
legislation/regulations governing wise use of alligators,
coastal wetlands, and other important wildlife/fisheries
resources. Further, management expertise and guidance is
provided by RWR staff to local landowners of marshland.
Lastly, RWR serves as a recreational outlet for the local
populace, as well as a destination for regional tourists.
Active multiple use marsh management is the primary
goal at RWR: to provide quality wintering habitat for
waterfowl species, while secondarily providing habitat
for shorebirds, wading birds and estuarine organisms (i.e.,
fish, shrimp and crabs). The goal of research activity on
RWR is to disseminate findings to local, state, national
and international audiences. Since 1955, RWR staff has
contributed over 500 professional publications, reports
and professional conference abstracts to a wide array of
audiences. The goal of public outreach with local land-
owners and/or state, federal and international groups on
legislation/regulation is to encourage best conservation/
management practices for fish and wildlife, as well as
their habitats. RWR strives to provide a popular destina-
tion for recreational/tourist activity, primarily through the
abundance of the fisheries resource (i.e., fishing, shrimp-
ing, crabbing) and the diversity of watchable wildlife
(i.e., birdwatchers); it should be noted recreational/tourist
activity should not supersede any of the other previously
mentioned RWR goals.
RWR maintenance personnel continued post-hurricane
repairs during 2009-2010, including the construction of
two bridges on the Unit 2 Levee during the fall of 2009
(FEMA PW- $105,114.00). These repairs provided vehic-
ular passage around the 6.5 mile management unit.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, reconstruction began on the
boathouse, equipment building and lumber shed that were
destroyed by Hurricane Rita and significantly damaged
again by Hurricane Ike in 2008. An architect was also
selected for the reconstruction of the shop. Also, a survey/
bid-package contract was completed in December 2009 to
survey over 50 miles of levees that were excessively dam-
aged in 2005 by Hurricane Rita, from the East End Locks
to Rollover Bayou. Completed during fiscal year 2009-
2010, it documented an estimated 5.2 million yards of
material that will be needed to restore the levee system.
The Capital Outlay Project for reconstruction of the East
Boat Launch began in 2009-2010. Lonnie Harper and
Associates was selected by the Engineer Selection Board
of Department of Administration to develop the bid pack-
age for the $2.88 million project (projected summer of
2011).
Resident biologist housing at RWR became unsafe due to
Hurricane Rita. Families were moved to LDWF-owned
camper trailers, and efforts began to locate FEMA mobile
homes. Three mobile home units in very good condition
were moved to the refuge, permits obtained, and a bid
package was prepared to elevate the buildings. It was
expected that the buildings could be complete by August
2010 for occupancy. Reconstruction of the residences was
delayed due to a FEMA policy restricting reconstruction
in VE-Zones. This was amended June 2, 2009 allowing
reconstructing in VE-Zones if damage was between 50 to
90 percent replacement cost. LDWF immediately began
plans to reconstruct the residences (as well as the labora-
tory and alligator grow out facility). Both the residences
and the lab were originally approved by FEMA for recon-
struction on the original footprint. However, because of
code driven elevation requirements, considerable
improvements were needed to the laboratory (including a
$1 million ramp and elevator); this was deemed impracti-
cal, and it was decided to reconstruct the lab on a nearby
elevated site. After much discussion with the Governor's
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness (GOHSEP) and FEMA, it was approved
along with including consolidation of five facilities at that
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
37
site (laboratory, storage shed, boat shed, alligator incuba-
tor shed and chemical shed). Negotiations continued dur-
ing the 2009-2010 fiscal year on relocating the residences
slightly off the original footprint.
A RWR Programmatic Review was conducted by USFWS
during October 2009. This is compliance with the 1919
RWR Foundation Deed of Donation as modified in the
1944 and 1988 Memorandum of Agreement between the
service and LDWF. They reported LDWF was doing an
exemplary job of managing the land base, and they were
favorably impressed with the habitat. They were con-
cerned that more post hurricane repairs had not been
made stating, "regardless of potential FEMA funding, the
department should consider using trust money and reim-
burse the trust when FEMA monies are received."
Immediately following the Deepwater Horizon drilling
rig explosion on April 20, 2010, RWR staff began creat-
ing maps with GPS coordinates of tidal drainages and
estimates of boom-line needed to protect sensitive areas
on the refuge. Weekly shoreline and offshore surveys
were conducted to locate oil and/or oiled wildlife; staff
used ATVs, boats, airboats and airplanes to complete sur-
veys. Staff also attended frequent meetings with officials
from British Petroleum (BP), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG),
USFWS, Louisiana National Guard, the Office of
Homeland Security, as well as state and parish officials.
Refuge staff used their knowledge of the area to help BP
and USCG officials create monitoring plans from Marsh
Island to the TX/LA state line, as well as taking both
groups on multiple surveys of the refuge and surrounding
areas. RWR served as a staging area during the spill for
USCG and environmental contractors working for BP.
The lumber shed was used to house tens of thousands of
feet of boom-line, anchors, floats and other oil response
supplies. The refuge also stored many boats and ATV
vehicles for groups involved with the oil spill response.
Many individuals with state, federal and/or universities
have visited the refuge to investigate and study the
impacts of the spill on southwest Louisiana, or to use the
refuge as a control site to other impacted areas to the east.
RWR staff maintains over 200 miles of levees and 40
water control structures for the conservation of approxi-
mately 76,000 refuge wetland acres and 100,000 private
sector acres within the Mermentau River Basin.
Objectives of maintenance and manipulation of the ref-
uge's system of levees and water control structures vary
somewhat by management unit, but general goals are to
maintain marsh health, provide conditions favorable for
production of waterfowl food plants, and incorporate
multi-species management when possible. Emergency
actions to reduce flooding, stop salt water intrusion, and
restore hydrology continued as a result of damage sus-
tained from Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in
2008. Maintenance personnel continued cleaning ditches
and repairing levees in Units 6, 14 and 15 which encom-
pass 16,800 wetland acres.
RWR staff conducted the eighth year of vegetative tran-
sects on the refuge. These transects act as a long-term,
quantitative assessment of marsh management strategies
on the refuge by monitoring plant species composition
within management units. This survey across the refuge
consists of over 1,500 sample plots, where species pres-
ence and stem density is recorded. Any changes that are
discovered in vegetative composition will be used for
future management decisions. In mid 2010, discussions
began between refuge staff and U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) GIS specialists to incorporate modern technolo-
gy (i.e., remote sensing data) into the vegetative survey;
these tools may be utilized during fiscal year 2010-2011.
Marsh fires during the right time of the year have been
shown to decrease fuel loads of marsh vegetation, prevent
unwanted lightning fires during the spring/summer, and
also provide new stem growth for migratory waterfowl
species, especially geese. Generally, one-third of the ref-
uge is burned on a yearly basis. During fiscal year 2009-
2010, approximately 16,800 acres were burned in Units
3, 5 and 6, and Price Lake Unit.
Oil spill reconnaisance along Rutherford Beach (Cameron
Parish) with US Coast Guard and BP ocials.
Installation of an experimental reef breakwater section along the Rockefeller
shoreline in an eort to limit shoreline erosion.
38
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
LWDF entered into an agreement with USACE and other
regulatory agencies to construct the Rockefeller
Mitigation Bank to offset wetland losses caused by
adverse impacts which occur following activities in
Louisiana's Coastal Zone. The major objective of LDWF
in establishing the Mitigation Bank is to compensate for
impacts occurring on RWR. However, it still may be con-
sidered as compensation for impacts outside the refuge
provided there are no available approved mitigation proj-
ects.
LWDF originally permitted three areas on RWR as poten-
tial wetland mitigation sites in 2000 (totaling 1140.7
acres). Actual work began on the first site (4.7 acres) in
2007. Dredging was completed January 2008, and four
months later it was surveyed. The final as-built-survey of
the site was completed Feb. 24, 2010, in compliance with
requirements with our MOA. On May 27, 2010, 1,350
Spartina patens plugs and 2,030 Spartina alterniflora
plugs were planted. In June 2009, a contract was negoti-
ated with HDR Engineering for the third salt marsh site
(66 acres). The contract agreed to make surveys, develop
specifications/drawings, bid/monitor the project, conduct
regular meetings, and determine payment to the dredging
contractor. They had 180 days to prepare the construction
documents. Geotechnical work was completed in August
2009, and the scope of work prepared, ready for bid in
March 2010. Bid problems were encountered, and the $2
million dollar project was scheduled to be rebid in August
2010.
RWR was fortunate to be selected for a Coastal Impact
Assistance Program (CIAP) project to evaluate different
test scenarios for shoreline stabilization. Presently the ref-
uge is losing over 100 acres annually to beach erosion;
this rate is six times more than other areas of shoreline
extending from Vermillion Bay to the Texas state line.
Sponsored by LDNR, the $9.3 million project began in
June 2009 with construction of a low profile reef break-
water section. This was followed by placement of a sec-
tion of beach fill constructed of crushed stone, and the
last test was a rock reef breakwater placed on a light-
weight aggregate core.
ORA Technologies, LLC also initiated a project on RWR
in June 2007 to evaluate stabilization of canal banks with
specially designed structures that promote the creation of
artificial oyster reefs. In 2009 a graduate student began
evaluating slightly different designs and measuring
growth and material deposition. A version of this technol-
ogy is planned to be tested for Gulf of Mexico shoreline
stabilization.
The Bio-Engineered Oyster Reef Demonstration Project
LA08 is sponsored by LDNR. Plans have been devel-
oped, permits obtained and funding requested for this
project. The objective is to evaluate an oyster break sys-
tem's capacity to reduce and/or prevent shoreline retreat
and wetland loss. The system is patented technology with
oystercrete units composed of nutrients/texture that oys-
ter's require and will be constructed 2.5 miles west of
Joseph Harbor Bayou. Expected bid date could be as
early as February 2011.
Biologists continued cooperating with USFWS on their
South Grand Chenier Hydrologic Restoration Project,
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration
Act (CWPPRA) (ME-20). This included field traps, meet-
ings and review of dredge pipeline placement plans.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, the Aug. 12, 2009 mineral
lease sale for RWR resulted in one tract awarded to
Hillcorp Energy for $350/acre and resulted in $260,400
plus 25 percent royalty placed in the Rockefeller Trust.
The May 12, 2010 mineral lease sale advertised six tracts.
Two received bids by Walter Oil and Gas, and leases
were awarded. Revenue generated for the Rockefeller
Trust was $362,935.20. This resulted in nine active leas-
es. There were five plug and abandon projects permitted
during this period for Exxon Mobil.
RWR and New Iberia biological staff conducted three
coastal waterfowl surveys at RWR, State Wildlife Refuge,
Marsh Island Refuge, White Lake Wetlands Conservation
Area (WCA), Atchafalaya Delta WMA, Point-aux-
Chenes WMA, Salvador WMA and Pass-a-Loutre WMA.
These data are a continuation of long-term data on win-
tering waterfowl abundance.
RWR and New Iberia staff conducted the visibility cor-
rection portion of the third annual Mottled Duck
Breeding Bird Survey. This survey is a cooperative effort
of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture, USFWS, Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department, LDWF and LSU. It involves
flying fixed-wing aircraft over 27 coastal transects and
then "beating out" selected segments with a zig-zagging
helicopter, and traversing similarly selected segments
with an airboat to develop a visibility correction factor to
adjust estimates from the fixed-wing. The survey is con-
ducted over four days with a one-day offset between
fixed-wing and helicopter/airboat. RWR staff also con-
ducted the airboat portion of the survey.
LSU collaborative project with Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge to construct
articial oyster reefs for bank/shoreline stabilization.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
39
In 1994, RWR began a long-term mottled duck banding
program to monitor annual survival rates and analyze dis-
tribution along the Gulf Coast between Texas and
Louisiana. The banding effort is now a cooperative
endeavor with Texas and Louisiana and involves many
state and federal biologists, technicians and student work-
ers. Some of the early analysis of data has shown high
variability in survival rates with little mortality being
attributed to hunting. Coastal and Nongame Resources
Division biologists completed the 16th year of this pro-
gram by banding 1,300 mottled ducks statewide in 2009;
since the project inception in 1994, 35,484 mottled ducks
have been banded.
An abbreviated nuisance alligator harvest occurred on
RWR in September 2009. Alligator industry buyers
showed little interest in purchasing hides due to low
demand on the world market. Hunting was optional for
the nine Rockefeller alligator hunters, including one hunt-
er who harvested 80 alligators from the East End locks
area. Harvesting of alligators in this high public use area
reduced the chance of negative interaction between alli-
gators and humans. The average length of each alligator
was 6.52 feet with a $4.74 average price per foot.
Fur trapping did not occur on RWR during fiscal year
2009-2010 due to the low numbers of furbearers present
on the refuge after Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane
Ike in 2008.
LDWF discontinued yearly helicopter bald eagle nest sur-
veys after the bald eagle was removed from the endan-
gered species list, but partnered with USFWS to develop
a fixed wing aerial survey. The first survey was conduct-
ed in 2009-2010 and will be conducted every three to five
years.
Brown pelicans were common residents of coastal
Louisiana, but nesting ceased in 1961 and they disap-
peared from the state in 1963 due to the use of pesticides.
From 1968 to 1980, 1,276 young pelicans were reintro-
duced to Louisiana from Florida at three release sites.
Since then, over 375,000 brown pelicans have been pro-
duced in Louisiana since 1971. This tremendous recovery
spurred the brown pelican to be removed from the endan-
gered species list on Dec. 17, 2009.
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill occurred off the south-
eastern Louisiana coast on April 20, 2010. There was
grave concern that the oil spill was going to impact
Louisiana brown pelican nesting colonies. Aerial helicop-
ter surveys were completed on April 29, 2010, with
approximately 10,114 nesting pairs incubating eggs.
LDWF personnel developed a plan to minimize the nega-
tive effects of the spill if oil came ashore.
RWR staff continued investigating the suitability of
White Lake WCA for the proposed re-introduction of
whooping cranes (Grus americana) in collaboration with
Sammy King and LSU. The focus of this study has been
to evaluate whooping crane foraging potential on the
property's 70,965 acres of fresh marsh. In addition, RWR
staff hosted the Whooping Crane Recovery Team in April
Blue-winged teal are the rst migratory waterfowl species to arrive in the fall (photo by Ruth Elsey).
Brown pelican in West Cove of Calcasieu Lake, near the Rabbit
Island nesting colony.
40
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
2010. The primary goal of this meeting was to allow the
recovery team an opportunity to view the vast Louisiana
marshes and to allow face-to-face discussions regarding
the progression of the proposed reintroduction. LDWF
staff was successful in their efforts and the recovery team
recommended proceeding forward with the proposed
reintroduction.
Marsh management units continue to be very popular
with sports fisherman, resulting in overcrowding in many
places on the refuge. Damages to levees and alterations
of automatic features of structures that regulate water
salinities and levels due to Hurricane Ike continue to be a
problem. Continued heavy public usage on the East End/
Joseph Harbor boat launch continue to degrade both the
launch and parking facilities, with improvements needed
in the very near future. According to data collected in
2009-2010, it was estimated that RWR experienced
approximately 86,925 man-days of public use*, with
84,275 considered for consumptive use and about 2,650
for non-consumptive activities.
*Due to equipment malfunction, no data was taken dur-
ing fiscal year 2009-2010 for Price Lake Rd., a very high
public use area during the summer months and especially
shrimp season.
RWR staff's ability to manage estuarine organisms contin-
ues to be severely limited due to the destruction to levees/
water control structures caused by Hurricanes Rita and
Ike; this will continue until repairs are completed and
units are functioning as planned. Though the primary goal
is habitat management/restoration, personnel are able to
strategically allow ingress and egress of organisms into
the Superior Canal complex and several other manage-
ment units when habitat integrity will not be compro-
mised. RWR continued its fisheries monitoring program in
conjunction with various habitat management/restoration
strategies. This sampling is in connection with the long-
term program to identify and document effects of structur-
al mash management on marine organisms. Staff also con-
tinued efforts in stocking Florida-strain largemouth bass
(Micropterus salmoides v. floridanus) to supplement popu-
lations on the refuge lost due to extreme drought condi-
tions, as well as improve recreational fishing in the area
where freshwater habitat is available. Approximately
91,360 fingerlings were released in May 2010 into the
Superior Canal system. An estimated 5,000 fingerling
were kept in the ponds for grow out to reach Phase II
stage (4-6 inches in length). These advance-stage fish will
be used to create an enhanced public fishing/educational
opportunity to be constructed in early spring 2011.
Refuge personnel continued its outreach program, hosting
several events to educate elementary, high school and
college students in wildlife, marsh ecology and coastal
erosion. Students were housed from various institutions
including Tulane, Texas Tech University, UCLA, LSU,
University of Arkansas, Minden High School Nature
Club, Vernon Parish 4-H and the Ulster Group (a group
of Irish-American exchange students).
One of the largest groups the refuge hosts each summer is
the 4-H Marsh Maneuvers Camp. In 2009, 66 students
from 18 Louisiana parishes participated in this month-
long camp which is designed to educate high school stu-
dents of the importance of coastal marsh erosion, restora-
tion, conservation and ecology.
In Oct. 2009, staff assisted the Coalition to Restore
Coastal Louisiana and around 100 Coastal Roots Kids in
planting around 1500 plugs of smooth cordgrass
(Spartina alterniflora) along Rollover Bayou. Staff also
participated during May 2010 in another marsh grass
planting with the American Wetland Conservation Corps
along Rollover Canal and Price Lake Rd.
Refuge sta seining sh ponds in order to stock bass across Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
41
During fiscal year 2009-2010, cooperative studies con-
ducted on RWR included:
• Polycross seed of genetically diverse smooth cord-
grass (Spartina alterniflora) for erosion control and
habitat restoration. Herry Utomo, LSU.
• Population ecology of larval blue crabs. Erin Grey,
Tulane.
• Evaluation of storm deposits in Chenier Plain lakes
specifically looking for deltaic overwash fans col-
lected in sediment cores. Alexander Kolker,
LUMCON.
• Collection of undersize red drum for a research proj-
ect on fish physiology. Austin Humphries, LSU.
• Collection of Phragmites rhizomes and soil samples
on the refuge to compare greenhouse growth rates of
different haplotypes at varying water depths and
salinities. Ted Turluck, ULL.
• Ongoing research studying hybridization between
King and Clapper rails. James Maley, LSU.
• Ongoing fish research comparing pre and post-Hurri-
cane Ike sampling data. John Gordon, LSU.
• Monitoring mortality rates of adult rails with sub-
lethal levels of visible oiling using radio telemetry.
John Schmerfeld, USFWS & Marie Perkins,
Biodiversity Research Institute.
Perkins, M., S.L. King, S.E. Travis, and J. Linscombe.
2009. Use of morphometric measurements to differentiate
between species and sex of king and clapper rails.
Waterbirds 32:579-584.
Ennen, J. R., J.E. Lovich, B.R. Kreiser, W. Selman, and
C.P. Qualls. 2010. Genetic and morphological variation
between populations of the Pascagoula map turtle
(Graptemys gibbonsi) in the Pearl and Pascagoula rivers
with description of a new species. Chelonian
Conservation and Biology 9: 98-113.
WHITE LAKE WETLANDS
CONSERVATION AREA
The White Lake Property (as referred to in Act 613, 2004
Louisiana Legislature) or White Lake WCA (White Lake
- as referred to by the LDWF) is located in Vermilion
Parish. The contiguous unit is 70,965 acres, located along
the western boundary of Vermilion Parish; it is bounded
on the south by White Lake, the northern boundary is 7.4
miles south of Gueydan at the south end of Hwy. 91.
Lafayette is 32 air miles northeast, and Lake Charles is
40 air miles northwest. The southern boundary of White
Lake is 17.5 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. The
property averages 12 miles from east to west and nine
miles from north to south.
BP America Production White Lake properties have a
long history of company ownership and management.
Note that Stanolind Oil and Gas Company (Stanolind)
preceded Amoco Production Company (Amoco) which
preceded BP America Production Company (BP).
Stanolind acquired the 70,965-acre property from Wright
Morrow by Act of Sale on July 31, 1935. This sale
Other technical assistance provided by Rockfeller staff
include:
• assisted the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program
(LNHP) during annual winter plover surveys.
• two staff members guided at the annual Bald Eagle
Expo held in Morgan City, La. Over 100 guests par-
ticipated in the program, February 2010.
• RWR hosted the annual meeting of the Associations
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies U.S. Furbearer
Conservation Technical Working Group.
• RWR hosted an airboat operators training and certifi-
cation course May 3-6, 2010. The three-day course
went through all aspects of airboat operation includ-
ing the mechanics, trailer and boat specifics, safety
precautions, and also several field exercises; approxi-
mately 20 individuals took the class. The General
Quarters dormitory served as housing for the class.
A unique attribute of RWR is the emphasis on wildlife,
fisheries and marsh management research. A list of publi-
cations by RWR staff and other division personnel con-
ducted entirely or partially on the refuge is currently
being updated and is available by request; the papers
from this list are also being electronically scanned for
public use as an online-access, documental retrieval
resource. This is tentatively scheduled to be completed
during 2011.
With the recent addition of three new staff biologists at
RWR, it is likely that new research avenues will be
explored since each biologist comes with a unique
research background (i.e., reptiles/amphibians, non-game
fish and/or non-game small mammals); fortunately, many
of these areas have not been previously explored by RWR
biologists. Future projects may include surveys for rare
wading-shorebirds, studies on neotropical migrants and
stopover ecology on chenier sites, herpetofaunal invento-
ry of RWR, and status surveys for diamondback terrapins
(Malaclemys terrapin), rare non-game fish species, and
bats/non-game mammal species. In summation, RWR
staff will continue to balance individual research projects
and cooperative research projects with other agencies
and/or academic institutions.
Biologist Carrie Salyers conducting education/outreach to
school-age children.
42
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
included all of the property acquired by Yount-Lee Oil
Company from P. L. Lawrence, et. ux., by Act of Sale
dated March 7, 1931 and a portion of the property
acquired by M. F. Yount from Elizabeth M. Watkins by
Act of Sale dated Nov. 5, 1929. BP owned and managed
BP White Lake until July 8, 2002 when BP donated the
property to the state of Louisiana. On July 8, 2002, a
Cooperative Endeavor agreement between the state and
White Lake Preservation Inc., a 501(c) 3 corporation, for
management of the property was executed. On Jan. 1,
2005, Act 613 of the 2004 Regular Legislative Session
became effective. This act established:
1. Transfer of property management from White Lake
Preservation Inc. to LDWF.
2. The White Lake Property Advisory Board, LDWF,
and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission powers
and duties relative to the management of the White
Lake Property.
3. A special account within the Conservation Fund for
the White Lake Property. On Dec. 17, 2004, the
State, BP and White Lake Preservation Inc. signed a
Transition Agreement for the management of the
property by White Lake Preservation Inc. until July
1, 2005, at which time LDWF took total control.
There are currently 18,425 acres of property leased to
five agricultural tenants for the purpose of farming rice,
raising cattle and crawfish farming. There is a rice base
totaling 4670.3 acres on this agricultural property. As a
result of Hurricane Rita, our tenant farmers are still trying
to recover from the effects the salt-water storm surge had
on the property and their financial situations. In the fall
of 2008, southwest Louisiana was hit by yet another hur-
ricane. This storm, Hurricane Ike, flooded the Mermentau
Fresh-Water Basin with salt-water. White Lake is located
in the center of this basin, and as a result no rice was
planted on the property in 2009 because of salt-water
concerns. In the spring of 2010 we experienced drought
conditions, which caused saltwater levels to rise once
again in the Mermentau Basin. As a result there was only
600 acres of rice planted in 2010. The primary source of
water for our farmers to flood their crops comes from this
basin, most notably the GIWW. Because of the concerns
over having and maintaining adequate fresh water, there
was no crawfish production on the property for the 2009-
2010 crawfish season.
There are over 100 miles of levees, canals and roads on
the White Lake agricultural lands that are maintained by
our agricultural tenants. They also own and operate the
pumping systems that are needed to manage water levels
on this impounded agricultural land. All of the farmland
on White Lake was at one time fresh-water marsh that
was impounded in the late 1940s when agricultural activi-
ties first began on the property.
There were a total of 12 waterfowl hunting leases on the
agricultural properties. The lease acreage totals 15,185
acres. There is also one waterfowl-hunting lease on the
marsh area located east of the Florence Canal. This lease
contains 17,150 acres.
There were a total of 479 Alligator Tags issued for the
2009 Alligator Trapping Season. Because of the unusual-
ly low market prices, we allowed our trappers to make
the decision whether to trap or not. Four of six trappers
did trap and harvested a total of 361 alligators. The aver-
age size of the alligators trapped was 6.18 feet with an
average live length value of $4.09 per foot.
As a result of poor market conditions there were no alli-
gator farmers willing to collect and purchase alligator
eggs from the White Lake property in 2009.
Fur trapping did not occur on White Lake during this
year due to the continued low numbers of fur-bearers on
the property. There has been no fur trapping on this prop-
erty for over 30 years because of the low numbers of fur-
bearers.
There were two campsite leases, three oil and gas valve
site leases, and three oil and gas drill site leases on the
property in fiscal year 2009-2010.
One-hundred fishing permits issued at a cost of $30 per
permit. Permittees and their guest were allowed to fish the
Florence Canal Area and specified well location canals
that flow into the Florence Canal. Area was open from
sunrise to sunset from March 14, 2009 to July 31, 2009.
One-hundred fishing permits issued at a cost of $40 per
permit. Permittees and their guest were allowed to fish the
Florence Canal Area and specified well location canals
that flow into the Florence Canal. Area was open from
sunrise to sunset from March 15, 2010 to Aug. 15, 2010.
(4 teal hunts cancelled because
of Hurricane Ike)
9 106
10 114
2 16
23 195
15 155
3,219 498
4.61 2.55
76 64
0.11 0.32
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
43
as the least bittern and purple gallinule, are using deeper
water depths.
Historically, whooping cranes were residents of
Louisiana. Prior to the 1800s observers reported large
numbers of whooping cranes in Louisiana wet prairies
and coastal locations. Sadly whooping crane numbers
declined. Changing land use practices and unregulated
hunting contributed to these declines. By 1945, only two
cranes remained at what is currently known as the White
Lake WCA. In March 1950, the lone Louisiana crane
referred to as "Mac" was captured at White Lake and
transported to Aransas NWR on the central Texas coast.
There are presently only 534 whooping cranes left in the
world (381 in the wild and 153 in captivity). Whooping
cranes were in Louisiana historically, and LDWF hopes
to bring them back to Louisiana and hopefully help
increase the world's population.
LDWF biologists investigated the suitability of White
Lake for the re-introduction of whooping cranes. This
study was a cooperative effort with Dr. Sammy King and
LSU. The study primarily evaluated forage availability on
the properties 52,000 acres of fresh marsh. Through the
use of throw traps, minnow traps and dip nets we sam-
pled all aquatic macro-invertebrates, fish and crustaceans
available for foraging whooping cranes. We also sampled
vegetation height, density and composition in order to
evaluate nesting potential of the property. Continuous
water level recorders were installed at all sampling sites
in order to evaluate the area suitable for foraging
throughout the crane's annual cycle. Although the study
focused on White Lake it also evaluated other wetlands in
the area including but not limited to Rockefeller Refuge.
Preliminary results of the survey indicate that White Lake
is indeed suitable habitat for the whooping crane.
LDWF was pleased to host the Whooping Crane
Recovery Team at the White Lake Lodge April 25-28,
2010. The Whooping Crane Recovery Team is the gov-
erning body charged with responsibility of the species.
Primary duties include planning actions to protect the
Aransas/Wood Buffalo natural flock and establishing two
additional flocks in efforts to safeguard the whooping
crane from possible extinction. The purpose of this partic-
ular visit by the recovery team was to allow this group of
professionals the opportunity to experience first hand the
vastness of Louisiana marshes and to discuss the possibil-
ity of the reintroduction of whooping cranes to their his-
toric range, which included the marshes of White Lake.
Following the recovery team's visit to White Lake, LDWF
was pleased to discover that the Whooping Crane
Recovery Team has recommended reintroducing an exper-
imental, non-essential non-migratory whooping crane
flock to White Lake. This will bring these cranes back
into the last known historic nesting area of the species in
the U.S., where they were present through the 1940s.
The White Lake property consists of approximately
52,000 acres of fresh water marsh and 19,000 of agricul-
LDWF established dates for the use of White Lake facili-
ties, located within the WCA in Vermilion Parish, for non-
consumptive group activities including nature photogra-
phy, bird watching, educational field trips and business
retreats. There were a total of nine day-trips and eight
overnight trips made available for public booking during
fiscal year 2009-2010. During this period there was one
day-trip scheduled and hosted by White Lake for a group
of 15 nature photographers/bird watchers in April 2010.
In the spring of 2009 work began on the White Lake
Birding Trail that will hopefully be completed in 2011.
Approximately 20 acres of property located in the center
and on the northern end of White Lake was selected as an
ideal location that would be easily accessible to the pub-
lic for bird watching activities. The trail has been laid out
and dirt work started to facilitate public access. A parking
area and access bridges have been completed. The next
step is to build a welcome center, a birding tower and
several other observation/sitting areas.
During December 2009 White Lake was host to a group
of 16 high-school 4H students for three days. The three-
day camp was designed to educate the students on the
importance of coastal erosion, restoration, conservation
and ecology. They were also able to go on a simulated
waterfowl hunt and were taught waterfowl identification
techniques. They participated in a sporting clay shoot
where they were instructed on gun safety and the proper
use of a shotgun.
The is approximately 200 acres of Coastal Prairie on the
White Lake property located south of the GIWW and
west of the Florence Canal. For the past couple of years
the LDWF LNHP has been doing research on the differ-
ent plant species located on this prairie. Several trips are
made annually to examine and collect plant species. Most
of these plants will be deposited at the LSU Herbarium.
To date approximately 95 different species have been
identified. Larry Allain of the Wetlands Center will be the
lead author on a publication that will report on the flora
and vegetation.
In the spring of 2010, White Lake worked closely with
LSU grad students on research they are conducting on the
king rail. The students had 18 survey points located on
the White Lake property. In March they performed exten-
sive water depth and salinity surveys at each location. In
May they conducted three vegetation surveys within 50
m of each bird survey point. These surveys measured
plant species composition (%) within 10 m of a point, %
open water within 10 m, and vegetation structure mea-
surements.
Preliminary results show king rails are primarily selecting
shallow water depths (5-15 cm), while other birds, such
44
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
tural land. There are four separate management units that
comprise the marsh. Within these marsh areas there are
over 100 miles of trenasses, five water control structures,
three pumping stations and over 30 miles of levees, all of
which is operated, managed and maintained by White
Lake personnel. Objectives of maintenance and manipu-
lation of the refuge's system of levees and water control
structures vary somewhat by management unit, but gener-
al goals are to maintain marsh health, provide conditions
favorable for production of waterfowl food plants, and
incorporate multi-species management when possible.
A portion of the levee system on Management Unit C
(4805 acres impounded marsh) was breached and severe-
ly eroded as a result of the Hurricane Ike storm surge.
The breach occurred on a well location canal ring levee
in the West White Lake Field. Approximately 1,000 feet
of levee was damaged and needed repair. Within a few
days after discovering the levee breach we had LDWF
equipment on site to repair the damages. The repair job
took about three days and was successful in preventing
the refuge area from completely flooding with salt-water.
As part of the overall management of the White Lake
properties in the fall of 2008, a comprehensive set of
Rules and Regulations was drafted and presented to the
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission for approval. The
White Lake Rules and Regulations were approved by the
Commission and became effective in the spring of 2009.
There are three producing oil and gas fields on the White
Lake property that were once operated by Amoco
Production Company. Amoco sold the subsurface rights
in these fields and all the facilities associated with these
fields in the latter part of the 1990s to Hilcorp Energy
Company. Hilcorp has since sold these fields that, for a
period of time, were operated by three separate owner/
operators. The West White Lake Field (approximately
1,500 acres) was owned and operated by Energy Quest.
The Florence Field (approximately 1,920 acres) was
owned and operated by Dune Energy Company. The
South Kaplan Field (approximately 800 acres) was owned
and operated by Texas Petroleum Investments. In the
spring of 2010 Texas Petroleum Investments purchased
the West White Lake and Florence Field and is now the
sole oil and gas operator on the White Lake property. The
State of Louisiana owns the surface of the property that
comprises these three production areas. LDWF monitors
surface activities and helps enforce the conservation
terms of the agreements that were executed by and
between Amoco Production Company, BP and the three
owner/operators mentioned. Texas Petroleum Investments
has responsibilities for maintenance of roads, levees,
canals, bridges, etc.
BP retained the mineral rights to the remaining White
Lake acreage that is not covered under the mineral prop-
erties sold to the above-mentioned operator. BP granted a
mineral lease in 2010 to Mandalay Exploration Company
on a portion of this acreage. LDWF/White Lake is cur-
rently negotiating a surface lease with Mandalay to facili-
tate the drilling of an exploratory well, which will be
located on our agricultural property south of the GIWW.
There are approximately 20 acres of property associated
with the White Lake Lodge Facility, Sporting Clay
Course, Skeet Range, Birding Trail and Florence Canal
Landing area. This acreage is maintained and landscaped
throughout the year by White Lake staff personnel.
Routine maintenance on the White Lake buildings and
equipment was conducted throughout the year. In the
spring of 2010, our small barge developed a leak and had
to be dry-docked. The bottom and knuckles on the barge
were replaced. The barge was then completely sanded
and repainted.
Routine maintenance was performed on our fleet of 25+
boats. Our four mud boats were dry-docked and repainted
and other routine annual maintenance was done.
One of our engines that we use to manage water levels on
refuge Area C needed repair work so it had to be
removed and transported to a repair facility. This required
the mobilization of a barge and crane in order to remove
and then reinstall this engine once it was repaired.
$225,331
$83,764
$93,037
$0
$135,494
$86,225
$0
$0
$46,360
$9,379
$41,741
$407,500
$268,204
$112,500
$0
$60,840
$3,648
$10,622
$123,351
$13,750
$840
$6,422
$4,745
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
45
FURBEARER MANAGEMENT
The 2009-2010 furbearer harvest was monitored by com-
piling distribution and total harvest data. Each year, fur
buyers and dealers are required to submit reports provid-
ing information on pelts purchased by species and parish
of harvest. Annual audits of all fur dealers provide a
record of total pelts by species shipped from Louisiana.
River otter and bobcat possession tags provide data on
timing and location of all bobcat and otter harvested in
the state. These tags are necessary to insure that
Louisiana otter and bobcat are tagged with federal export
tags (a federal requirement for out-of-country shipment).
Records indicate a total of 1,623 trapping licenses were
sold during the 2009-2010 trapping season. Of these,
1,552 were adult residential licenses, 21 were adult non-
residential trapping licenses and 50 were youth residential
licenses. These figures show a slight decrease in trapping
licenses sold when compared to the previous season
(1,704).
A total of 453,802 animals were harvested (all species)
which was an increase of 110,634 from the previous sea-
son's total of 343,168. The total value of the 2009-2010
fur harvest to the state's trappers was estimated at
$2,279,396.59. This total value was an increase of
$557,700.67 from the previous season.
The nutria harvest (445,963) increased by 111,925 from
the previous season's total of 334,038. The average nutria
pelt price paid to trappers during this past season was
$1.50. An additional $5 was paid for all nutria taken dur-
ing the Coastwide Nutria Control Program (CNCP) by
registered participants.
The Fur Advisory Council (FAC) continued to work
towards its two major goals. The first goal of educating
the public concerning the role of wildlife utilization in
conservation is directly associated with the second goal
of market enhancement for fur products.
FAC has come to the increased realization that without
education of the public to counter misleading animal
rights propaganda, enhancement of markets cannot be
accomplished in the long-term. The educational module
paired with the educational CDs continued to be a great
success. Requests for sample skins and programs have
been tremendous. Staff and volunteers presented at numer-
ous schools and libraries during fiscal year 2009-2010.
FAC continued with a presence at large public events such
as the Louisiana State Fair and at educational workshops
such as the Environmental Education Symposium.
Hundreds of school children visited the FAC booth at the
State Fair daily for its three-week duration. The Web site
carried the educational story to a much broader audience
of teachers and students. The success of our education
program will likely determine the future of markets.
FAC has struggled to find new strong and stable markets
for Louisiana fur. The international fur market continues
to be very dynamic, and many internal and external fac-
tors affecting buying trends and markets are still present.
Mainland China still holds the brightest future for new
and expanded markets and bought more Louisiana prod-
ucts this year. China is catching up with its knowledge
base, and dealers are eager to learn about Louisiana furs.
FAC attended fur shows in mainland China and Hong
Kong during fiscal year 2009-2010. The Beijing Fur
Show is bigger every year and buyers are very interested
in Louisiana products. Louisiana fur dealers were able to
sell furs based on contacts made at this show. FAC has
followed a marketing plan of working in several countries
that are gateways to China.
The Alligator Advisory Council joined with FAC in all
educational endeavors. They shared a booth at the State
Fair and in other venues. School and library presentations
addressed the educational needs of both councils. The
Web site and CDs provide habitat management education
related to the alligator industry as well.
The Alligator Advisory Council also concentrated on sev-
eral issues associated with alligators and crocodilians in
general through Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) and USFWS programs and
regulations. The 15th CITES Conference of the Parties
met March 13-25 in Doha, Qatar. Primary issues dis-
cussed at this conference included small leather goods,
Mexico's Morelets crocodile down listing, Madagascar's
illegal trade, Egypt's Nile crocodile down listing,
Colombia trade initiatives, Personal Effects and CITES
Business Roundtable. The CSG Industry Committee met
during the Lineapelli Leather Fair in Bologna, Italy. The
purpose was to discuss impacts from the global recession,
review "take the best and leave the rest" quality standards
and consider other factors affecting sustainable use pro-
grams for crocodilians. There was clear consensus to fur-
ther reduce impediments to legal trade; particularly ways
to expedite CITES permitting through pre-signed permits
and electronic permitting.
The Fur and Marsh Management (FMM) Section contin-
ued research through grants and contracts during fiscal
year 2009-2010. This section administered several con-
tinuing contracts concerning post-hurricane impacts to
coastal marshes, vegetative damage caused by nutria, and
nutria control techniques.
LDWF worked with Dr. Charles Sasser and Dr. Gary
Holms from the LSU Coastal Institute on aerial survey
data from CNCP over the past eight years to evaluate
$2,020,927
$1,012,422
-$721,331
$2,312,015
46
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
recovery rates and other related issues to marsh recovery
from the increased harvest rates of nutria.
LDWF conducted a sixth year of the Bobcat, Fox and
Coyote Hunter Survey by taking a random sample (6 per-
cent) of Louisiana big game license hunters from the
2008-2009 season. This information is used to estimate
trends over time as to the number of bobcats within the
state of Louisiana and the distribution of this species.
This harvest data is needed to best manage the season.
LDWF worked with The Association of Fish & Wildlife
Agencies on the development of "Best Management
Practices for Trapping Swift Foxes and Kit Foxes in the
United States" and "Best Management Practices for
Trapping Striped Skunk and Mink in the United States."
LDWF worked with a Washington D.C. contractor on
two bills:
• S.1519: Nutria Eradication and Control Act
• S.1965: Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot
Program Act.
Both of these Senate Bills were supported by Louisiana
Senators Landrieu and Vitter.
This section also monitors marsh conditions on the coast-
al WMAs and refuges. Marsh conditions are surveyed
both on the ground and through aerial surveys. These sur-
veys are indicators of general marsh health, abundance of
aquatic vegetation for waterfowl, abundance of furbear-
ers, and many other important components of these eco-
systems.
F&MM personnel also collected data on alligator nest
densities and wading birds and shorebirds that nest and
feed on these areas, and participated in intensive coast-
wide waterfowl surveys.
CNCP is funded by the CWPPRA. The objective is to
decrease the damage to coastal vegetation that is caused
by nutria by increasing the incentive for harvest. During
the 2009-2010 season, a total of 445,963 nutria tails,
worth $2,229,815 in incentive payments, were collected
from 306 participants. Eighty seven participants (28.4
percent) turned in less than 200 tails, 59 participants
(19.2 percent) turned in 200-499 tails, 30 participants (10
percent) turned in 500-799 tails and 130 participants
(42.4 percent) turned in 800 or more tails.
There were 19 parishes represented in the program with
harvests ranging from 267 to 106,226 nutria per parish.
Terrebonne Parish reported the highest number of tails
with 106,226 followed by Plaquemines and St. Mary par-
ishes with 69,294 and 67,631 respectively.
January was the most active month for harvesting nutria
(130,206 tails) while November (22,277 tails) was the
least active month (see CNCP 2010 Report, CWPPRA
Project LA-03b).
As a monitoring requirement of CNCP, a coast-wide aeri-
al survey was conducted in the spring of 2010 covering
the coastal parishes of Louisiana. The total number of
sites visited in 2010 was 22, of which one was a new site
while 20 were previously classified as damaged in the
2009 survey, and one converted from recovered in 2009
to damaged in 2010. The one new site was identified as
nutria damaged.
There were no sites completely converted to open water,
and nine nutria sites as well as one storm/muskrat related
sites that recovered in 2009. Also, one site has converted
to being all hog damage; whereas in 2009 it was one-half
nutria and one-half hog damage.
Of the 11 damage sites visited in 2010, all 11 sites were
related to nutria damage.
The 2010 survey identified 11 sites (nutria) with a total
of 2,260 acres impacted by nutria feeding activity along
transects (8,475 extrapolated). This is approximately a 58
percent decrease from the 20,333 damaged acres reported
in 2009. CNCP continues to be a successful means of
controlling the nutria population with an average of near-
ly 300,000 animals harvested annually. Consequently, the
number of nutria-impacted acres in Louisiana's coastal
marsh has also decreased significantly.
MARSH MANAGEMENT
FMM section staff continued to work with sponsoring
agencies on several CWPPRA and restoration projects
(i.e., annual monitoring and inspections) within Coastal
Refuges and WMAs. These efforts have been greatly
assisted through the utilization of approximately 20 YSI
continuous data recorder stations which monitor critical
water quality parameters (i.e., water depth, temperature,
specific conductance and salinity) across south central
and southwest coastal management and refuge areas. The
recorders or "sondes" (Model: YSI 600LS) are currently
located at:
(2) - Lake Tom and the Hell
Hole.
(7) - Little Charles Bayou,
Belly Dam Canal, Lucien Bayou, Lake Long and
East Oyster Branch. In addition, two sondes are
located within Northeast and Southeast management
units.
(1) - Wax Lake near East Pass.
WMA (1) - Log Island Pass.
(4) - Sondes are evenly
distributed throughout the 5,000-acre impounded
unit. One sonde was formerly located inside the
Montegut impoundment; however, it has been
removed. NOTE: Please see overview of Point-aux-
Chenes Hydrological Restoration Monitoring.
(3) - North End (Davis
Pond), South West (adjacent to WMA camp) and
Gulf Canal (adjacent to Lake Cataouatche).
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
47
LDWF was awarded a grant from NAWCA to construct a
Water Management Unit on Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA.
The 5,000-acre unit is located in the center of the Pointe-
aux-Chenes WMA and has been managed to enhance a
deteriorated salt marsh that is now 75 percent open water
(NOTE: In 1956 this same area consisted of 99 percent
vegetated marsh). LDWF's management priorities for this
project include:
1. Re-establish emergent vegetation in shallow areas.
2. Increase plant and animal species diversity.
3. Reduce turbidity.
4. Increase submerged aquatics.
These priorities have been previously accomplished uti-
lizing late winter/early spring draw-downs to expose
shallow water bottom and edge to stimulate vegetative
growth. During maintenance years, water levels would be
maintained at marsh level and salinities would be limited
to at or below 8 ppt.
LDWF is responsible for pre/post biological and hydro-
logical monitoring/reporting of the Pointe-aux-Chenes
impoundment. These monitoring and reporting activities
include:
• Checking water levels and salinities at monitoring
stations.
• Recording water control structure activities.
• Collecting fisheries samples (April-September).
• Conducting annual ocular vegetation composition.
• Conducting annual aerial waterfowl surveys.
• Conducting hunter participation/harvest surveys.
NOTE: A monitoring report which details key environ-
mental parameters and habitat utilization is annually
submitted to LDWF personnel and project collaborators.
LDWF efforts to reduce the influence of saltwater intru-
sion within Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA have been very
limited. This has been principally due to staff's inability
to regulate water flow within the impoundment. All three
of the unit's water control structures (i.e., SI [Island
Road], S2 and S3 [Fisheries Structure]) are essentially
non-functional due to extensive damage associated with
various named hurricanes. To date LDWF staff awaits
resource allocation to add/repair/replace water control
structures, levees and terraces designed to achieve the
project's stated objectives.
FMM staff in collaboration with Coastal Operations con-
tinues to implement seasonal water level management at
the Northeast Unit, Southeast Unit and Big
Impoundment. These efforts are aimed towards reducing
salinities and tidal scour, reducing turbidity, maximizing
emergent vegetation in shallow areas, increasing emer-
gent species diversity, and increasing submerged aquatic
vegetation for migratory birds.
FMM staff worked in conjunction with the Wildlife
Division staff on the Joyce WMA and the impacts of the
Hammond Wetland Assimilation Project. A significant
change has been observed in marsh quality/quantity at
Joyce WMA. Several environmental factors have been
suggested either individually or combined as to the cause
of the observed marsh damage. These factors include:
1. Tertiary-treated wastewater effluent (i.e., increased
water flow [2-3 million gallons per day] with elevat-
ed nutrient content within Joyce WMA).
2. Nutria herbivory (i.e., marsh damage has been sug-
gested to resemble herbivory damage associated with
nutria, an introduced rodent species associated with
extensive marsh herbivory/damage throughout the
Louisiana coastline). See http://www.nutria.com.
FMM staff, in collaboration with LDWF staff (Christian
Winslow), Dr. John Day (Comite Resources) and Dr.
Gary Shaffer (Southeastern University), is in the process
of evaluating these proposed causes. To date, a series of
water samples have been collected, and five nutria exclo-
sures have been evenly distributed throughout the affect-
ed area. NOTE: These exclosure devices are designed to
provide a qualitative assessment of nutria herbivory with-
in the affected area at Joyce WMA.
MINERALS MANAGEMENT
The Mineral Program is responsible for ensuring that
mineral activities on all LDWF properties are compatible
with the environment, and that WMA/refuge goals and
objectives are met. Mineral Program staff reviewed and
evaluated 77 well locations, pipeline projects and other
mineral exploration related permits on LDWF properties.
The program also issued two rights-of-way, three surface
leases and three State Agency leases during fiscal year
2009-2010. All of these projects are reviewed and coordi-
nated with field personnel to ensure that they are compat-
ible with LDWF management area programs.
The Mineral Program generated fees in excess of $21
million, which included mineral royalties, rights-of-way,
surface leases and seismic fees. In addition, the Mineral
Program staff issued 43 airboat/marsh buggy permits for
various activities on LDWF properties. The Mineral
Program also coordinated with the Office of Conservation
for the removal of numerous abandoned oil and gas facil-
ities on WMAs and refuges. The Mineral Program contin-
ues to work closely with other programs within LDWF
and the Coastal Management Division within LDNR in
the implementation of the efforts of the streamlining of
Coastal Use Permits. In addition to the above mentioned
duties, the Mineral Program has also undertaken the
duties associated with LDWF's Dredge Fill Program.
Approximately 75 to 100 dredge licenses are issued annu-
ally generating approximately $1 million in annual reve-
nue.
The Mineral Program also applied for and received five
USACE permits for projects on LDWF properties. Two
permits were for projects on White Lake, two permits for
projects on Rockefeller Refuge, and one permit for a
project on Manchac WMA.
48
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
HABITAT
The objectives of the Habitat Section are to gather and
compile data on fish and wildlife resources, determine the
requirements for conserving the resources, and provide
information and technical assistance to governmental
agencies, non-governmental entities and the public. Data
are also gathered on the potential impacts of human
activities on the resources. These data and recommenda-
tions are provided to regulators, planners and decision-
makers in advance of execution of projects in order to
avoid, minimize and/or mitigate any adverse environmen-
tal impacts. In fiscal year 2009-2010 the Habitat Section
was divided into the five following programs: Louisiana
Natural Heritage Program; Louisiana's Wildlife Action
Plan and State Wildlife Grants; Statewide Environmental
Investigations; Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers
Program; and Permits Coordination.
The Habitat Section is comprised of 17 full-time techni-
cal staff members. Every member of the Habitat Section
participated in LDWF's response to the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill, including reconnaissance/recovery of
oiled wildlife, leading media tours, monitoring sensitive
habitats, recommending placement of boom and other
protective measures, conducting pelagic surveys, assist-
ing in Incident Command Center and field office opera-
tions, and coordinating wetland regulatory activities. A
total of 195 man-days were dedicated to the response in
fiscal year 2009-2010.
LNHP gathers, compiles and disseminates information on
unique, rare, threatened and endangered species, and
unique, rare and critical habitats on the state, federal and
international level. LNHP staff works with landowners to
better manage their property for nongame, threatened and
endangered species, and to promote Louisiana's native
plant communities.
In fiscal year 2009-2010, LNHP staff conducted 1,160
project reviews and produced 26 digital data agreements
for various public and private projects, assessing possible
impacts on rare, threatened and endangered species and
natural communities. A total of 310 new or modified
Element Occurrence Records were entered into the LNHP
database. An Element Occurrence Record includes pre-
cise locations, species population status, and habitat con-
ditions and characteristics for a species or community of
conservation concern. Department staff, federal and state
agencies, and private consultants apply LNHP data to
land use decisions, environmental impact assessments,
resource management, conservation planning, endangered
species reviews, research, and education.
The LNHP administered federal aid grants for species of
special concern through the ESA, Section 6 Program and
hurricane grants and participated in the SWG Program.
Section 6 projects included the following species:
Louisiana black bear; red-cockaded woodpecker;
Louisiana pine snake; Louisiana pearlshell mussel; ringed
map turtle; and the ivory-billed woodpecker. Hurricane
grants from USFWS provided funds for winter plover and
gopher tortoise surveys. Projects funded through SWG
included aerial surveys for swallow-tailed kite roosts,
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship Program,
Christmas bird counts, rusty blackbird surveys, longleaf
pine surveys, coastal prairie restoration, digitizing plover,
mussel and fish species data, state rare (S1, S2 and S3)
species surveys, and the Natural Area Registry Program.
In addition to SWG projects conducted by LNHP biolo-
gists, a contracted project to monitor the endangered
plant, earthfruit, was directed and monitored by LNHP
using the Natural Heritage fund. Staff also participated in
the Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, LNHP staff and the
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program co-
authored the Atlas of Louisiana Sea Birds. LNHP biolo-
gists also published in several peer reviewed journals.
LNHP participated in the Woodland Trails and Parks bot-
tomland hardwoods documentary, Louisiana Public
Broadcasting's "A Summer of Birds" and Discovery
Channel's Wild Planet - North America, and staff work
was often featured in local newspapers.
LNHP completed the sixth and initiated the seventh year
of monitoring landbird population responses to timber
treatments at Sherburne WMA. During the 2009 field
season, the project involved capturing, banding or recap-
turing over 3,200 landbirds and determining the age of
each bird using Monitoring Avian Productivity and
Survivorship Protocols (MAPS) developed by the
Institute for Bird Populations. LDWF's participation in
the nationwide MAPS program allows researchers to
assess regional non-game landbird population trends as
well as local population trends.
Staff participated in many events during fiscal year 2009-
2010, including the following:
• Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival.
• Neotropical Migratory Songbird Tour at Sherburne
WMA.
• Becoming an Outdoor Woman workshop series.
• National Hunting and Fishing Day.
• Assisted producers of nature documentaries in locat-
ing and filming footage of Louisiana's natural heri-
tage.
• Yellow Rails and Rice Festival.
• Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau's Eagle
Expo.
• Various high school and elementary talks.
LNHP biologists partnered with the Acadiana Resource,
Conservation and Development Council to restore a
coastal prairie remnant in Acadia Parish. This site will
serve as a native prairie plant seed source for future res-
toration efforts. Staff regularly provided technical assis-
tance to project consultants concerning rare species and
habitats. LNHP staff wrote a restoration plan to repair
damage to a saline prairie in De Soto Parish and part-
nered with USFWS to monitor the repair of this site.
Biologists worked with USFWS on bridge replacements
to reduce impacts to the Louisiana pearlshell mussel.
Longleaf pine savannah surveys were conducted and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
49
technical assistance and management plans were provided
to landowners.
LNHP joined with the staff of NRCS and USFWS to
review 124 NRCS conservation practices utilized in
Louisiana for promotion of natural resources conserva-
tion. The purposes for joining the multi-agency review
were to increase ESA Section 7 consultation efficiency, to
further the conservation of ESA-listed species and other
rare species and natural communities in Louisiana, and to
increase coordination between LDWF, NRCS and
USFWS. The result of this multi-agency consultation was
a document titled "Conservation of At-Risk Species in
Louisiana." The document was completed in September
2009, after which nine statewide workshops were con-
ducted to train NRCS staff on how to implement and uti-
lize the technical guidance.
LNHP staff represented LDWF on numerous committees
and at meetings including:
• LDWF Civil Restitution Committee
• Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
• USFWS Freshwater Turtle Conservation Meeting
• Southeastern Partners in Amphibian and Reptile
Conservation
• East Gulf Coastal Plain Joint Venture Management
Board
• Southeast Partner's in Flight Management Board and
Technical Committee
• Gulf Coast Joint Venture Landbird Monitoring,
Evaluation and Research Team
• Mississippi Flyway Council Nongame Technical
Committee
• Louisiana Wildlife Federation
• SWG Committee
• The Louisiana Pine Snake Conservation Committee
• Gopher Tortoise Council
• SE Land Trust
• LA Native Plant Society
• Louisiana Forestry Association
Staff also delivered presentations to various user groups
regarding non-game resource issues.
In fiscal year 2009-2010, staff issued 104 Scientific
Collecting Permits for research statewide. Also, LDWF
enforcement cadets were given a presentation on amphib-
ian and reptile laws/regulations. A seizure of illegal
pythons was conducted in Oakdale, La.
Louisiana Natural Areas Registry, a program developed
to provide landowners with the opportunity to voluntarily
protect and manage significant natural heritage resources
found on their properties, registered three new sites, giv-
ing the registry a total of 110 properties comprising
36,612 acres. Properties in the process of registration
total over 8,000 acres. LNHP and the LDWF legal sec-
tion worked towards the completion of LDWF's first ser-
vitude in Lincoln Parish. The easement process should be
completed in fiscal year 2010-2011. Furthermore, four
management plans were developed for landowners partic-
ipating in the Natural Areas Registry.
In November 2001, the Federal Government created the
SWG Program. According to the Federal legislation,
these grants were established "for the development and
implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife
and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or
fished." The SWG program receives annual
Congressional appropriations. USFWS apportions these
funds to state fish and wildlife agencies. Since 2002,
LDWF's annual apportionment has been approximately
$1 million.
Congress stipulated that each state fish and wildlife agen-
cy that wished to participate in the SWG program must
develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
by October 2005. In response, LDWF developed a com-
prehensive planning document that would guide LDWF's
use of SWG grant funds for the next 10 years. The docu-
ment, known as the state's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP),
was submitted for approval to the National Advisory
Acceptance Team and subsequently approved in
December 2005. In summary, the WAP is the blueprint
guiding LDWF's use of SWG funds.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, eight SWG grants were
closed. The SWG Coordinator insures that copies of all
final reports for each of the closed SWG grants are made
available to interested parties.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, 18 new project proposals
were received for funding consideration. Fifteen propos-
als received approval by the SWG Committee by the end
of fiscal year 2009-2010. These projects include:
• Reintroduction of the Whooping Crane.
• Kemp's Ridley Habitat and Distribution.
• Inventory of Species and Habitats on Natural &
Scenic Rivers.
• Bear Conflict Management Program (Segment 2).
• Promotion of Prescribed Burning in the East Gulf
Coastal Plain.
• Southwest Louisiana Grassland Prescribed Burn
Initiative.
• Southwest Louisiana Grassland Restoration Initiative
(Segment 2).
• Fish Assemblages on Manmade Structures in the
Gulf of Mexico.
• Natural Community Inventory Enhancement.
• RCW Management at Alexander State Forest WMA.
• Louisiana Herpetofaunal Surveys.
• Breakwaters and Barrier Island Marshes (LSU).
• Effects of Habitat Edges on Nesting Success of
Painted Bunting (ULL).
• Assessing the Impacts of Low-head Dams on the
Genetics of Etheostamatine Darters in the Pearl
River Basin.
• SWG Coordination – Segment 4.
In addition, after grant closings on June 30, 2010, there
remained 32 ongoing SWG-funded projects. Of the new
proposals, only "Reintroduction of Whooping Cranes"
50
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
had not been submitted as an application to USFWS. All
others were awaiting funding approval. Twelve amend-
ments had been submitted and approved by the USFWS
Region 4 Office.
To ensure the WAP remains adaptive to the needs and
goals of LDWF, two critical/emerging issues letters were
submitted to the USFWS Region 4 Office. These letters
highlighted four new issues of concern: whooping crane
reintroduction; climate change; Kemp's Ridley distribu-
tion; and oil spill events. The letters were approved by
USFWS and incorporated as amendments to our WAP,
allowing LDWF to utilize SWG funds to address these
issues in the future. These issues will be adopted into the
next WAP revision if they remain a concern.
An Endangered Species license plate was developed as
an additional funding source for wildlife diversity
research and surveys. The plate was expected to feature a
whooping crane. The legislation was developed in April
2010. The Louisiana Legislature revised and adopted the
bill into law in June 2010.
To distribute WAP information to a wider audience, staff
authored an article for the Wildlife Insider newsletter and
the Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists
newsletter. For more information about the WAP, please
visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/wildlife-action-
plan/.
Statewide Environmental Investigations is authorized
under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and is par-
tially funded by a USFWS grant. Staff is responsible for
reviewing and providing comments and mitigation rec-
ommendations on all permits sought from state and feder-
al environmental regulatory agencies, primarily LDNR
and USACE. Staff members received and reviewed 1,772
state and federal permit applications during fiscal year
2009-2010 (the highest total on record). It was deter-
mined that compensatory mitigation was required on
approximately 400 of the 1,772 projects reviewed.
Written comments and recommendations aimed at avoid-
ing, minimizing and/or mitigating adverse impacts were
issued by LDWF for all state and federal permit applica-
tions received.
Staff saw a significant increase in the number of USACE
Vicksburg District Section 10 permit applications for the
withdrawal of surface water classified as waters of the
United States. These water withdrawal requests were pri-
marily for hydraulic fracturing of shale formations in the
Haynesville Shale of northwest Louisiana. LDWF
responded to all such permit requests with recommenda-
tions on how to conduct these substantial water with-
drawals while also avoiding adverse impacts to fish and
wildlife resources.
In addition to permit review, staff participated in permit
site inspections and habitat evaluations, provided techni-
cal assistance to the public on wetland issues and worked
with private developers and consultants involved in the
regulatory process. During fiscal year 2009-2010, staff
conducted 107 on-site field inspections and participated
in 104 meetings with applicants, agents and regulatory
agency personnel.
Staff members also represented the agency on two
Mitigation Bank Interagency Review Teams chaired sep-
arately by the USACE Vicksburg and New Orleans dis-
tricts. The purpose of the Interagency Review Teams is to
provide regulatory review, approval and oversight of wet-
lands mitigation banks. During fiscal year 2009-2010,
staff evaluated, inspected and provided technical com-
ments and recommendations on approximately 40 pro-
posed wetlands mitigation banks. A total of 18 wetland
mitigation banks were approved and authorized in
Louisiana during fiscal year 2009-2010, totaling over
7,300 acres. Staff also attended all Interagency Review
Teams meetings and as many of the site investigations as
was possible.
Staff worked closely with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development to develop the State
Reservoir Priority Development Program. The intent of
the State Reservoir Priority Development Program is to
prioritize state-funded reservoirs to meet a range of water
resource and economic development needs. LDWF's pur-
pose was to ensure that sound evaluation criteria were
developed and that environmental issues (e.g. fish and
wildlife habitat, wetlands, Scenic Rivers, and threatened
and endangered species) were thoroughly considered in
the reservoir evaluation and ranking process.
Staff continued to serve on the Louisiana Ground Water
Resources Commission which met bimonthly. The pur-
pose of the commission is to develop a statewide water
management plan not only for ground water use and con-
servation, but also for surface water. The Commission is
working to complete the comprehensive plan in early
2011.
Staff continued to provide technical assistance to USACE
related to post-hurricane (i.e., Katrina, Rita, Gustav and
Ike) levee refurbishment, planning of improved hurricane
protection systems, and identification of suitable compen-
satory mitigation to offset implementation of such sys-
tems.
Staff was involved in the planning and evaluation of 18
proposed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) projects. FERC regulates the interstate transmis-
sion of natural gas, oil and electricity. Twelve of these
projects included the installation of natural gas pipelines
which affected several Louisiana parishes and often
posed significant adverse impacts to wetlands, stream
crossings, riparian corridors, species and communities of
conservation concern, and other fish and wildlife resourc-
es. Six of the FERC regulated projects were for hydro-
electric power. Staff worked with the applicants, agents
and FERC in the planning and evaluation phase to avoid,
minimize and/or mitigate these adverse impacts.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
51
LDWF worked with numerous governmental agencies in
conducting environmental investigations including:
USFWS; National Marine Fisheries Service; EPA;
USACE; U.S. Forest Service; the USDA NRCS; Federal
Highway Administration; Federal Aviation
Administration; Farmers Home Administration; USCG;
Department of Energy; FERC; Department of Defense;
Housing and Urban Development; Louisiana Department
of Transportation and Development; LDNR; Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality; and the Louisiana
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
Statewide Environmental Investigations also assisted in
protecting all lessees of private oyster grounds by review-
ing and approving, sometimes with modification, water
bottom assessments submitted by project applicants prior
to the initiation of activities affecting state water bottoms
under lease to private parties for oyster production.
Coastal Use Permit applicants can be required, at the
request of Statewide Environmental Investigations staff,
to modify the activity if the proposed location unneces-
sarily impacts an oyster reef. There were 76 water bottom
assessments reviewed and approved by agency staff dur-
ing fiscal year 2009-2010.
The Scenic Rivers Program is charged with the administra-
tion of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers Act. The
act requires that LDWF, through the Scenic Rivers
Coordinator, administer a permitting system for activities
that have potential for significant ecological impact to des-
ignated natural and scenic rivers, as well as a system of
monitoring, surveillance, investigation and enforcement
for the purpose of insuring compliance with the act. The
Scenic Rivers Act, and the rules and regulations promul-
gated under its authority, provide for the development of
management plans, stream surveys and enforcement. There
are currently approximately 80 streams and/or stream seg-
ments in the system constituting an estimated 3,000 linear
miles of Louisiana's streams, rivers and bayous.
Bayou Liberty in St. Tammany Parish was designated a
Louisiana Natural and Scenic River during the 2010
Regular Session of the Legislature. This resulted in an
average addition of one stream per year to the system
over the previous 12 years.
Several enforcement actions were initiated in fiscal year
2009-2010. These included cases of illegal mining activi-
ties, littering, illegal point source discharges, operating on
scenic rivers without permits, illegal bridge construction,
and illegal commercial cutting of trees. One case of ille-
gal mining in East Baton Rouge Parish, made in 2009,
remains in litigation. The coordinator and staff, through
routine surveillance, project inspections and response to
complaints, ensured compliance with permit conditions,
utilization of adequate sediment control measures and
appropriate clean up and restoration of permitted project
sites.
Staff has continued to work with the Webster Parish
Police Jury and the State Land Office to remove a num-
ber of out-of-service bridges and other man-made
obstructions on Bayou Dorcheat, thus restoring navigabil-
ity and natural flow to the stream. In addition, working
with the Webster Parish officials, the State Land Office,
local businesses and citizens groups, 87 wood duck boxes
with engraved mile markers were constructed and made
ready to be placed along Bayou Dorcheat to aid boaters in
navigation and enhance wildlife habitat along the bayou.
The coordinator and staff maintained regular contact with
both state and federal agencies to insure that designated
scenic rivers were considered in all levels of planning and
permitting. They also worked closely with city planners,
police juries, mayors and local interest groups and orga-
nizations throughout the state. The coordinator gave three
presentations on the Scenic Rivers Program to local civic
organizations and continued to participate on a parish
government board formed to restore and promote Bayou
Dorcheat in Webster Parish.
Three emergency Scenic River Permits were issued. Two
were for the emergency repair of a power line and the
emergency construction of a natural gas supply line.
Both of these were presented as emergencies in that they
were needed to maintain continued power and/or heating
to peoples' homes during peak winter usage. One was for
emergency repairs to address an erosion problem that
might have led to the collapse of a Wastewater Treatment
Plant into the Abita River. All of these were issued with
conditions that required they be conducted in a manner
that did not harm the environment, and one permit
required mitigation in the form of replanting and moni-
toring (to ensure success) of the impacted site.
A total of 17 Scenic River Permits were issued during fis-
cal year 2009-2010. The coordinator and staff conducted
77 site visits and field investigations statewide, surveyed
approximately 81 stream miles and attended 10 meetings
specific to Scenic Rivers issues.
The purpose of Permits Coordination Program is to
ensure that LDWF receives reviews and responds and
distributes comments and mitigation recommendations on
all permit notices received from state and federal environ-
mental regulatory agencies in an efficient and timely
manner (i.e. prior to public notice comment period dead-
lines). LDWF's written comments are in-turn used by the
regulatory agencies to make final determinations on how
best to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate adverse impacts
to fish and wildlife resources.
In order to accomplish this task, the LDWF Permits
Coordinator serves as the primary liaison and "single
point of contact" for all regulatory agencies, primarily
LDNR and USACE. It is the responsibility of the Permits
Coordinator to ensure that the LDWF biologist with the
appropriate authority and expertise is included in the for-
mulation of written comments and mitigation recommen-
dations. The Permits Coordinator also ensures that there
52
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
is adequate department representation at all LDNR
Geologic Review and pre-application meetings.
The Permits Coordinator also utilizes, maintains and pop-
ulates a comprehensive searchable database for all permit
notices. This database is of critical importance to ensur-
ing a timely response from LDWF. During fiscal year
2009-2010 several enhancements were made to improve
the tracking ability, accuracy and usefulness of the per-
mits database.
The most significant event that occurred during the fiscal
year was the receiving and processing of a record number
of Emergency Use Authorizations from LDNR and
USACE in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil
spill. New permit notice processing protocols were devel-
oped and implemented to meet the demand for expedited
LDWF reviews and responses. These protocols will now
be employed should future events of this magnitude occur.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, the Permits Coordinator
received, processed, tracked and disseminated responses
to 1,772 permit notices.
ALLIGATOR PROGRAM
Louisiana's Alligator Management Program consists of
two complex segments: research/management of the wild
population and a statewide farm/ranch program. The pro-
gram is funded by self-generated revenues (alligator hide
tag fees, shipping label fees, other alligator related fees
and alligator hide severance taxes).
Inventory methods, harvest regulations, tagging and
reporting requirements, and a complex computer program
are continually upgraded to regulate and monitor a sus-
tainable use alligator management program in Louisiana.
Annual coast-wide alligator nest surveys are conducted to
index alligator populations and to establish harvest quotas
in coastal Louisiana. During summer 2009 we estimated
that 24,793 alligator nests were present in the coastal
marsh habitats (Figure 1). Coastal habitats have recov-
ered significantly from the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes and
the 2006 and 2009 droughts.
Wild alligator harvest quotas are established to correlate
harvest with alligator population density and distribution.
Alligator harvest tags are allocated to individuals who
either own or lease land that is considered alligator habi-
tat. Digital landowner and survey information are com-
bined with the latest aerial photography images to allow
for an accurate assessment/classification of each partici-
pant's property. The majority of the lands enrolled in the
wild alligator harvest program have been entered in the
GIS system.
In late August and September 2009, the annual wild alli-
gator harvest produced 9,126 alligators, which averaged
7.5 feet in total length and had an estimated value of over
$1.5 million. Beginning in late winter 2008 and continu-
ing into spring and summer of 2009, the worldwide eco-
nomic recession significantly impacted world trade in raw
and tanned alligator skins and manufactured products.
Price and demand for wild and farm-raised alligator skins
dropped precipitously during this period. The drop in
price and demand coincided with the economic recession
and with tanners implementing stricter quality standards.
During 2010, demand and price for both wild and farm-
raised alligators began to recover. It is anticipated that
price for wild alligators harvested in 2010 will increase as
compared to 2009. Adult-sized alligators (those 6 feet and
larger) comprised the majority of the harvest (Figure 2).
LDWF provided additional alligator harvest opportunities
by continuing its lottery alligator harvest program. In
2009 the lottery alligator harvest program provided
opportunities for 284 alligator hunters to harvest 725 alli-
gators. Lottery alligator harvests were conducted on 31
public areas (15 WMAs and 16 public lakes) throughout
the state.
The December 2009 statewide farm/ranch inventory
totalled 388,540 alligators, down from a record 731,909
in December 2008. This decline was due in large part to
the worldwide economic recession, and farmers volun-
tarily limited their egg collections in summer 2009. The
2008 farm harvest, September 2008 - August 2009, was
286,645 with a base value of $45.5 million. Average belly
width of farm raised alligators was 26.4 centimeters (4.3
feet in length) with the majority of the harvest comprised
of 18-32 centimeters belly width alligators (Figure 3).
During 2009, a total of 400,875 wild alligator eggs were
permitted for collection. A total of only 29,822 wild alli-
gator eggs were collected producing 25,077 hatchling
alligators; again, these numbers are lower than average
due to the economic recession and lower demand for high
end luxury fashion items made from alligator hides.
Farmers are required to return 12 percent of the hatch-
lings as 4-foot alligators, which compensates for the col-
lection of eggs. The remaining animals can be sold by the
farmer. During 2010, a total of 27,122 farm-raised alliga-
tors were released to the wild. All released alligators
were measured, marked, tagged and sexed. Survival of
farm-released alligators appears to be similar to wild alli-
gators. Re-trapped alligators were harvested in September
2009, though harvest effort was lower than usual, due to
the economic recession and low demand and modest
prices. Data evaluation continues on survival rates of the
farm released alligators.
Program staff routinely communicates with various alli-
gator industry participants including hunters, farmers,
landowners and dealers. Information is provided regard-
ing wild alligator and alligator egg harvests, harvest sta-
tistics and management recommendations. Staff routinely
visits alligator farms providing recommendations on alli-
gator husbandry and culture. Numerous requests for
information are handled each year.
Coastal Louisiana was impacted by devastating hurri-
canes in 2005 and 2008. In both of these years, storm
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
53
surges inundated coastal marshes with high salinity
waters across virtually the entire coast of Louisiana;
which is prime alligator habitat. Some direct alligator
mortality was observed, but overall long-term impact of
these storms on alligator habitat remains to be seen.
Direct physical damage to wetlands through scour,
scrapes, erosion and rolling has been noted, and high
salinities were accentuated by lower than usual winter
rainfall after the storms, which might have tempered the
deleterious salinities. Effects of these storms on the sub-
sequent wild alligator harvest were significant in 2006;
but harvest numbers in 2007 and 2008 returned to pre-
storm levels.
The following provides a summary of the various
research and monitoring projects that the alligator pro-
gram staff conducted and/or participated in during fiscal
year 2009-2010.
This activity involves numerous projects related to sur-
vival analysis, growth and reproductive success (farm-
released vs. native wild). Due to the recent reduction of
the 14 percent release rate, it is imperative to monitor
survival closely. This will be even more important in the
future, as the 12 percent return rate started with the 2007
permits (releases "due" in 2009). Although some growth
information has been published, we plan to evaluate
growth rates in more detail; we now have "retraps" that
were captured 10-15 years since release, and this is
undoubtedly one of the largest mark-recapture projects
currently in progress. Staff from the LSU Department of
Experimental Statistics assists with annual evaluation of
survival based on farm "re-traps" recovered in September
harvests. We are also evaluating dispersal of animals
from release sites, and are preparing a manuscript for
publication in the scientific literature.
The annual coastal nesting survey is essential for moni-
toring our alligator population, and is used annually to
determine wild alligator and wild alligator egg harvest
quotas (for the adult harvest each September as well as
egg ranching quotas). This is an integral part of our
required "finding of no detriment" needed for export
authority. This survey was of particular interest in sum-
mer 2006, providing valuable information to evaluate the
impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the worst
drought in 111 years that occurred in fall/winter/spring of
2005-2006. We collected similar such needed information
in 2009, due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike striking in
2008. Nesting in June 2010 was average, with many areas
having been adversely affected by drought conditions.
We continue to analyze size class frequency distribution,
average size, sex ratios, etc. for alligators harvested each
year. This project, coupled with the coast wide nest sur-
vey will be continued as long as a harvest program is in
Figure 1.
Thousands of Nests
Based on Aerial Surveys
Figure 2.
7.5' average
skin length
Figure 3.
26.38 cm average
skin belly width*
*Skin lengths averaged approximately 51 inches, 2008 Tag Year
Louisiana Coastal Marsh Alligator Nest Production
(1970-2009)
Louisiana Wild Alligators Harvested
2009 Regular Harvest Skin Lengths
Louisiana Farm Alligators Harvested
2008 Skin Belly Widths
n
n
cm
54
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
place. Data generated from these projects provides the
basis for evaluating the impact of our current harvest
strategies, and for establishment of annual wild harvest
quotas.
LDWF biologists work with selected cooperating alliga-
tor farmers to gain access to their GPS data from annual
egg collections. This study will facilitate comparisons
between our coast-wide nest survey and estimates of nest
density as recorded by the farmer during egg collections.
Some farmers have advised staff of reduced nest produc-
tion on selected wetlands; this study will allow us to
evaluate nest distribution and density changes over time.
Data from 2006 was particularly important for compari-
sons due to the massive impacts of Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita in late 2005. We anticipate similar such needed
information in 2009, due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike
striking in 2008. The nesting survey was started in fiscal
year 2008-2009 and completed in fiscal year 2009-2010,
as preparation and some early flights can start in late June
of each year, often the majority of the survey is complet-
ed in early July of the next fiscal year.
LDWF, in conjunction with LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine, continues to monitor occurrence of WNV on
alligator farms in Louisiana. Initial mortality related to
WNV occurred in fall/winter 2003. Aggressive mosquito
control on farms has reduced on-farm mosquito popula-
tions and seems to have reduced the incidence of WNV
in recent years. Studies have determined that WNV expo-
sure is a predisposing factor in development of "PIX/
LPSA" skin lesions. If needed, farmers can contact
LDWF staff or our collaborators at LSU School of
Veterinary Medicine if they suspect a WNV outbreak.
Dr. Nevarez, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, is con-
tracted to provide diagnostic services as needed for the
alligator industry. Farmers may consult with Dr. Nevarez
at any time for assistance with any alligator husbandry or
disease issues.
The LSU Department of Experimental Statistics is under
contract to provide technical statistical expertise for
numerous alligator projects; most importantly, the evalua-
tion of survival of farm-released alligators, population
trends from nesting survey data, and more recently, hide
grade/length correlations, growth of farm-released and
wild alligators, and dispersal of wild alligators.
Numerous alligators originating from several different
farms were sampled to evaluate their overall health at the
time of release. Biopsies were taken of colonic tissue and
blood samples were drawn to analyze the plasma and
serum. Study results indicate that the released alligators
are healthy, that WNV remains one of the most important
infectious diseases for captive-reared alligators, and that
continued surveillance is necessary. Alligators brought
into Louisiana from Georgia for release were found to be
of poorer health than Louisiana-reared alligators, and fur-
ther release of these animals should be closely monitored.
Continuation of this study is planned for 2010-2011.
Phase 1 of this project was completed with some difficul-
ties encountered in achieving therapeutic levels of tetra-
cycline in alligators. Several trials were conducted in
order to determine dosage rates. In 2008-2009, this
research continued to determine tissue distribution levels
and elimination rates. Final results indicated that due to
high level of variability in the concentration of tetracy-
cline in alligator tissues and plasma, tetracycline is not a
recommended antibiotic to be administered orally to cap-
tive-reared alligators. In 2009-2010, a pilot study was
conducted to determine the appropriate dose of the anti-
body trimethoprim-sulfadiazine administered orally to
alligators; this antimicrobial was absorbed much better
and results of importance in consideration of treatment of
disease in farmed alligators.
We spent considerable effort to testing telemetry units for
practical methods to attach to juvenile alligators and test
range of reception. This may be helpful in monitoring the
survival of farm-released alligators. Our biological staff
constructed an outside holding pen to test the telemetry
unit attachment on wild and farm alligators.
Unfortunately the pen was damaged by Hurricane Ike in
September 2008, and alligators escaped; however the few
recaptured held the telemetry units snugly in place. We
held the alligators recaptured at Rockefeller and showed
long-term retention of the telemetry units during 2009-
2010; units were eventually removed by staff and alliga-
tors released.
Dr. Dan Janes from Harvard University continued molec-
ular biology work on alligator embryos provided by
LDWF, as did other collaborators and university profes-
sors and graduate students. In summer 2007 we similarly
assisted Dr. Matt Bonnan and his graduate students with
samples for differential limb scaling studies; a study was
published in 2009 in The Anatomical Record, another
paper on calcification of archosaur long bones is current-
ly "in press" after being written, reviewed and accepted
during fiscal year 2009-2010.
We are currently collaborating on projects with Dr. Mark
Merchant (unfunded) to evaluate anti-microbial properties
of alligator plasma. Although diseases are generally rare
in alligators, this work may help on the rare occasion of
disease in farmed alligators, in terms of evaluating cause
and treatment options. Again, we assisted in the expan-
sion of this work with a collaborator of his from LSU's
Chemistry Department, evaluating peptides by providing
large volumes of blood for leukocyte extraction.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
55
We have several years of data on alligator dispersal
(caught live on Rockefeller, and subsequently harvested
"off" Rockefeller). Several have migrated very long dis-
tances (20-35 miles) which is important data to consider
in evaluating our farm "release to the wild" program.
Additional data collected in September 2008 and 2009
helped us evaluate effects of Hurricane Rita and severe
drought on alligator displacement. A manuscript was sub-
mitted for possible publication in the scientific literature.
We worked with anatomists in evaluating sources of cal-
cium for eggshell development. Several abstracts were
published and presentations made at international confer-
ences. A full manuscript is currently being prepared.
We continued to support and collaborate with a post-doc-
toral research associate and a PhD student with their
work on oxygen levels in developing alligator embryos.
Several abstracts were published and presentations made
at scientific conferences. Associates from UC Irvine were
hosted at Rockefeller in June 2010 to collect additional
embryos, as well as cardiovascular structures and limbs
from a range of sizes of alligators for several studies.
We published a paper on multi-year multiple paternity
and mate fidelity in alligators; an abstract was presented
at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
in July 2009.
We had previously hosted a graduate student from the
Royal Veterinary College in London and collected sam-
ples in support of his doctoral research; we co-authored a
manuscript published in the Journal of Anatomy in early
2010.
Drought conditions allowed us to photograph numerous
sets of alligator tracks at the request of Dr. Jim Farlow at
Indiana University-Purdue. We co-authored a manuscript
on footprints and trackways of alligators which correlates
with Dr. Farlow's paleontology studies.
We published a manuscript on alligator spermiogenesis
with Dr. Kevin Gribbins, who did part of his doctoral
research at Rockefeller Refuge. We assisted a graduate
student with his research on use of stable isotopes to
determine alligator diet (non-invasive); the manuscript is
in review. We also supported Dr. Uriel Zapata with his
doctoral research on material properties of alligator man-
dibular cortical bone. These studies were published in the
journal Bone, and follow up studies are underway.
We studied the use of rodenticide baits (to control nutria)
to determine if they would have a deleterious effect on
alligators if secondarily ingested. A paper was published
on these findings in a toxicology journal.
Our research efforts have been hampered in large part by
lack of holding facilities for alligators. We had a small
functioning laboratory, but the tremendous physical plant
losses due to Hurricanes Rita and Ike have limited our
progress. This lab was a shared room in the maintenance
workshop and is now not usable due to repairs to the
shop. Our biological staff constructed a cover/awning to
the semi-repaired holding tanks, which has helped. Initial
work done to supply adequate heat to holding tanks was
completed in spring 2009, and minor repairs continued
this fiscal year. We met several times during fiscal year
2009-2010 to discuss schematic drawings for a new lab
and holding facility.
The following scientific papers were published from
approximately July 2009 - June 2010:
Bonnan, M. F., J. L. Sandrik, T. Nishiwaki, D. R. Wilhite,
and R. M. Elsey. 2009. Calcified cartilage shape in extant
archosaur long bones reflects overlying joint shape in
load-bearing elements: implications for inferring dinosaur
joint shape. (Abstract). Presented at the 69th Annual
Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology,
Bristol, United Kingdom. JVP 29 (3):67A-68A.
September 2009.
Elsey, R. M. and C. Aldrich. 2009. Long distance dis-
placement of a juvenile alligator by Hurricane Ike.
Southeastern Naturalist. 8(4):746-749.
Lance, S. L., T. D. Tuberville, L. Dueck, C. Holz-
Schietinger, P. L. Trosclair, III, R. M. Elsey, and T. C.
Glenn. 2009. Multi-year multiple paternity and mate
fidelity in the American alligator, Alligator mississippien-
sis. Molecular Ecology. 18:4508-4520.
Lance, S. L., T. D. Tuberville, R. M. Elsey, P. L.
Trosclair, III, and T. C. Glenn. 2009. Multi-year multiple
paternity and mate fidelity in the American alligator,
Alligator mississippiensis. (Abstract). Presented at the
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 22-27
July, 2009, Portland, Oregon.
Allen, V. R., R. M. Elsey, N. Jones, J. Wright, and J. R.
Hutchinson. 2010. Functional specialization and ontoge-
netic scaling of limb anatomy in Alligator mississippien-
sis. J. Anat. 216:423-445.
Farlow, J. O. and R. M. Elsey. 2010. Footprints and
trackways of the American alligator, Rockefeller Wildlife
Refuge, Louisiana. New Mexico Museum of Natural
History and Science Bulletin. 51:31-39.
Gribbins, K. M., D. S. Siegel, M. L. Anzalone, D. P.
Jackson, K.J. Venable, J. L. Rheubert, and R. M. Elsey.
2010. Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the American
alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Reptilia, Crocodylia,
Alligatoridae). J. Morph. 271:1260-1271.
Lance, V. A., R. M. Elsey, G. Butterstein, P. L. Trosclair,
III, and M. Merchant. 2010. The effects of Hurricane Rita
and subsequent drought on alligators in Southwest
Louisiana. J. Exp. Zool. 313A:106-113.
Owerkowitz, T., F. C. Andrade, R. M. Elsey, and J. W.
Hicks. 2010. Atmospheric hypoxia increases bone robust-
icity in the American alligator. (Abstract). Society for
Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting. Seattle,
Washington. Jan. 3-7, 2010.
56
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Owerkowitz, T., F. C. Andrade, R. M. Elsey, and J. W.
Hicks. 2010. Atmospheric hypoxia increases bone robust-
icity in the American alligator. (Abstract). Experimental
Biology meeting. Anaheim, California. April 24-28, 2010.
Witmer, G. W., J. D. Eisemann, T. M. Primus, J. R.
O’Hare, K. R. Perry, R. M. Elsey, and P. L. Trosclair.
2010. Assessing potential risk to alligators (Alligator mis-
sissippiensis) from nutria control with zinc phosphide
rodenticide baits on Louisiana coastal marshes. Bull.
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 84:698-702.
Zapata, U., K. Metzger, Q. Wang, R. M. Elsey, C. F.
Ross, and P. C. Dechow. 2010. Material properties of
mandibular cortical bone in the American alligator,
Alligator mississippiensis. Bone. 46:860-867.
COASTAL STEWARDSHIP
OPERATIONS
The Coastal Operations Program includes stewardship of
all WMAs and refuges within LDWF's Coastal and
Nongame Resources Division, with the exception of
Rockefeller Refuge and White Lake Conservation Area.
These areas include Atchafalaya Delta, Biloxi, Lake
Boeuf, Pass-a-Loutre, Pointe-aux-Chenes, Salvador and
Timken WMAs, and Isles Dernieres Barrier Islands,
Marsh Island, State Wildlife and St. Tammany refuges.
New to this program this year is the addition of the Oil
Spill section. This section responds to all significant oil
spills within the state and assesses damage to wildlife for
potential restoration.
Dominating this year's report was the explosion of BP's
Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig. Coastal Operations staff
were intimately involved with the longstanding oil spill
response to protect coastal habitats and lead the wildlife
recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Staff established field
command centers in Hopedale, Pass-a-Loutre WMA,
Grand Isle, Myrtle Grove, Cocodrie, Burn's Point,
Intracoastal City, Atchafalaya Delta WMA, and Marsh
Island Refuge. These command centers were bases of
operations for our staff conducting wildlife recovery.
They also met daily with federal, state and local govern-
mental agencies, as well as private contractors, to report
findings in their areas and plan response strategies for the
upcoming days and weeks.
Prior to the oil making landfall, Coastal Operations staff
teamed up with Wildlife Division staff to conduct "pre-
incident" nesting searches across all of coastal Louisiana
and identified 146 areas for immediate protection. This
information was presented to the Incident Command as
"top priority" habitats for boom placement. During the
climax of the oil spill, staff were capturing/collecting a
few hundred wildlife impacted by the oil per day. Staff
also recorded and reported daily on oil impacts and boom
conditions from State Wildlife Refuge to Lake Bourne.
Their knowledge of the local waterways was essential to
the successful implementation of several operational
strategies.
In addition to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, the Oil
Spill section responded to 30 additional releases includ-
ing Eagle Otome in Sabine, Chevron on Delta Refuge,
and CEYDECO in Mud Lake. This section is also devel-
oping and finalizing natural resource damage assessments
for several cases including Little Lake, Mosquito Bay,
and Joseph Bayou I and II, as well as coordinating with
USFWS to develop and implement natural resource dam-
age assessments for the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
Prior to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, Coastal
Operations staff continued working on FEMA Project
Worksheets to recover from the 2005 and 2008 hurricane
seasons. Staff worked closely with FEMA, GOHSEP and
Facility Planning to implement repairs and plan for
rebuilding projects.
A new modular office building was purchased and
installed at the New Iberia Office in fiscal year 2009-
2010. The entire Coastal Operations Section was moved
into this office to free up room in main office for the
other Coastal and Nongame Resources programs' staff.
Logistical and technical support were given to USFWS to
post the boundary of Shell Keys NWR. This refuge is
directly south of Marsh Island Refuge and has sensitive
oyster concerns to manage. This refuge is a popular loaf-
ing location for many waterbirds.
Waterfowl season success for the 2009-2010 season was
down compared to 2008-2009. During the 2009 teal sea-
son, an estimated 888 hunters interviewed over four sam-
ple dates harvested an estimated 0.9 teal per hunter effort.
This success rate is down 40 percent from 2008, but
efforts were up nearly 45 percent. The increase in
attempts is likely due to low turn out in 2008 due to the
active hurricane season. Regular waterfowl season suc-
cess on selected bag check dates was 1.6 ducks per hunt-
er effort. This is down 30 percent from the 2008-2009
season. Hunter participation fell 22 percent compared to
the previous season to 5,522 attempts. Totals for other
game harvested during the selected bag check dates were
4,565 coots, 805 gallinule, 35 rail, 20 mergansers, 10
snow geese and five white-fronted geese.
Surveys of waterfowl hunters using coastal WMAs dis-
played that 82 percent of users were opposed to commer-
cial guided waterfowl hunting on coastal WMAs. When
asked if they would support the implementation of limit-
ed access areas (areas that prohibit the use of internal
combustion engines), 74 percent of hunters supported the
measure.
Deer season this year was demonstrated by self-clearing
permits to have had 3,599 hunting attempts. This resulted
in the harvest of 186 deer for a success of one deer per
19.3 attempts. Nearly 94 percent of all deer hunting
attempts were conducted at Atchafalaya Delta WMA
which also harvested nearly 88 percent of the reported
deer.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
57
58
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Trapping agreements were revised for alligator and nutria
seasons for both commercial and recreational lottery
hunters. The results for the 2009-2010 harvest for all
WMAs except Biloxi WMA was the collection of 575
alligators by commercial hunters of their allotted 1,232
tags. Recreational hunters harvested 78 alligators of their
120 tags. This poor success is a reflection of poor market
prices. Several hunters chose not to fill many tags once
the price was known. Permitted commercial trappers also
harvested 19,450 nutria off coastal WMA properties in
accordance with CNCP rules and regulations.
Coastal Operations staff continued the various duck band-
ing projects during fiscal year 2009-2010 as part of
LDWF's ongoing survival and movement studies.
Banding was conducted at Atchafalaya Delta, Pass-a-
Loutre, Pointe-aux-Chenes and Salvador WMAs, and
Marsh Island Refuge. This year, 355 mottled ducks, 14
wood ducks and six black-bellied whistling ducks were
banded, in addition to 38 mourning doves.
Area biologist – Cassidy Lejeune
Technician Supervisor – David LeBlanc
Atchafalaya Delta WMA is the largest WMA in the state
at 137,000 acres and is located in southern St. Mary
Parish. The WMA is owned by the state and has been
managed by LDWF since 1977 under a lease agreement
with the Louisiana State Lands Office. The habitat is
dominated by fresh tidal marshes and extensive shallow
water flats. This WMA enjoys a diverse range of eco-
types from broad upland ridge habitat to mangrove brack-
ish habitat.
Staff continues to work closely with USACE on naviga-
tion projects on the WMA. During fiscal year 2009-2010,
dredge material was used to increase the size of Mistrot,
T-Pat and West Bird islands. Mistrot Island was increased
in size by 5,160 feet with the addition of 705,700 cubic
yards of material. In addition, five 100-foot tidal cuts
were made in the island. The contractor for the project
was Weeks Marine.
Research continues to be a priority on the WMA.
Research projects ongoing this year included:
• Dr. Ray Bauer (UL-Lafayette) river shrimp
(Macrobrachium ohione) to study migration patterns
and life cycle of the species. Coastal Operations staff
were the primary data collectors by collecting bi-
weekly specimen samples and supporting data such
as water salinity and temperature.
• Dr. Bruce Davis (LSU Department of Renewable
Natural Resources) radio telemetry of hen mottled
ducks. This project was to measure survival, habitat
use and movement of female mottled ducks.
• Dr. Guerry Holm (LSU School of Coast and
Environment) collected data for research of sediment
evaluation and plant community change of the Main
Delta.
• LDWF continued with the collection of avain influen-
za surveillance specimens in order to detect the pres-
ence of the disease in various species of waterfowl.
• John Shaw and two research assistants (UT at
Austin) conducted research on three dimensional
evolutions of bars, channels and bifurcations at the
delta front of the Wax Delta.
Several improvements were made on the WMA during
fiscal year 2009-2010 by the mobile heavy equipment
crew. The first project was repairing the Wax Delta camp-
ground. Work for this project included dredging material
from the adjacent channel to repair the eroded bank line.
No wake zone signs were installed along with a self-
clearing permit station.
The cul-de-sac was dredged to the Big Island to improve
public access. Material dredged was side cast for marsh
creation and nourishment. Other improvements on the
WMA include pulling debris from the houseboat mooring
locations, and repairs and improvements in the levee sys-
tem on the restricted area.
Oil and gas exploration continues to grow. Fiscal year
2009-2010 activities included:
• Tri-C drilled a new well on the west side of Wax
Delta. They used a small hydraulic dredge to dig
access and beneficially used the dredged material in
a nearby site.
• Phoenix Exploration also drilled two wells on the
southeast side of the Wax Delta.
• Phoenix Exploration planned to install new flow
lines to the new wells.
• Rooster Petroleum attempted some unauthorized
dredging and plug and abandonment activities that
were postponed until after waterfowl season.
• Staff coordinated with Minerals Management Section
to create a right-of-way for an upcoming 3-D seismic
project.
Boundaries of the WMA were maintained and had to be
replaced on the northern boundary.
Winter plover surveys were conducted again, and observ-
ers noted nine piping plovers and several semi-palmated
plovers, sanderlings, dunlin, western sandpipers, killdeer,
ruddy turnstones and others.
Mottled duck banding continued with the banding of 96
new ducks and reporting of two recaptured birds from
previous years.
Teal season resulted in an average hunter success of one
bird per hunter effort. This is approximately 30 percent
lower than the 2008 season and 40 percent lower than the
previous eight-year average. Waterfowl season success
also fell 30 percent this year to 1.7 ducks per hunter
effort as compared to the previous season. During the 13
bag checks preformed this year, an estimated 2,845 har-
vested 4,720 ducks.
According to self-clearing permits, 3,375 archery efforts
were expended this year harvesting 163 deer. This
equates to a success rate of one deer per 20.7 efforts. This
is the highest recorded hunter participation for Coastal
and Nongame Resources WMAs.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
59
Alligator season resulted in the harvest of 234 alligators.
The commercial hunters harvested their full quota of 210
alligators, and the 10 recreational hunters harvested 24 of
their allowed 30. Permitted trappers also harvested
13,364 nutria.
Twenty-nine youth hunters participated in the two lottery
hunts (58 efforts). The four days of hunting yielded the
harvest of five deer (three doe and two bucks) for a suc-
cess of one deer per 11.6 efforts.
Between the months of July and February it was noted
that 22,546 recreational users visited the WMA, and rain-
fall for the period was 49.8 inches. Additional data is not
available at the time of this report due to the BP
Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Clint Dauphinet
Biloxi WMA is owned by the Biloxi Marsh Land Co. and
has been managed by LDWF since 1957. This 39,600-
acre WMA is located in St. Bernard Parish and dominat-
ed by brackish oyster grass and juncus. Along its south-
ern boundary is Bayou Loutre, which was the historic
path of the Mississippi River. This WMA has very
diverse habitat from low saline marshes in the northeast
to freshwater ridges in the south. The Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet was recently plugged by USACE just south
of the WMA, which has significantly decreased salinity
along the southern boundary in greatly increased sub-
merged aquatic vegetation on this WMA.
Tropical Storm Ida flooded the WMA with extremely
high waters which resulted in deposition of unnatural
Wax Delta Campground repairs in August 2009.
Youth hunters at Wax Delta during youth weekend in November
2009.
Youth hunter with doe and buck harvested on 10/25/09.
Youth hunt participants for lottery deer hunt.
13 point buck kill during bow season at Atchafalaya Delta WMA during
October 2009.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
debris on the WMA including a large storage tank adja-
cent to the boundary. A commercial fishing vessel was
also stranded on the WMA. A commercial salvage opera-
tion illegally propeller washed access to the vessel which
resulted in significant marsh damage. This report was
turned over to LDNR.
Geotechnical soil core samples were collected during fis-
cal year 2009-2010 in anticipation of a shoreline protec-
tion project that is to be created along the boundary of the
WMA on Lake Borne. The project is a Louisiana Coastal
Resources Protection shoreline protection project.
Coastal Operations staff is coordinating with the land-
owner (Biloxi Marsh Land) on renewal of the lease and
negotiating oyster harvest concerns.
Natural resources damage assessment helicopter secretive
marsh bird surveys in association with the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill were conducted across the WMA. Many
target species were noted along with a group of feral hogs
utilizing the southern boarder of the WMA adjacent to
Bayou Loutre.
Waterfowl hunting was generally very good this year and
estimated to have an average success of 3.5 ducks per
hunter effort.
Area Biologist – Cassidy Lejeune
Technician Supervisor – David LeBlanc
This refuge is a series of barrier islands in Terrebonne
Parish made up by Raccoon, Whiskey, Trinity, East and
Wine islands. This refuge has been managed by LDWF
since 1992, and ownership of the islands was transferred
to the department in 2000. The refuge is saline marsh/
dune habitat and home to the largest colonial waterbird
colony in Louisiana (Raccoon Island).
The construction of the Whiskey Island Back Barrier
Marsh Creation CWPPRA project (TE-50) was completed
this year. This project created approximately 300 acres of
marsh, 13,000 feet of sand fencing, gulf facing dune con-
struction, and vegetative seeding and planting.
Coastal Operations staff assisted with the UL Lafayette
led research project of banding and collecting blood from
pelicans on the island. Since 2007, 1,500 hatch year peli-
cans have been banded on the islands.
Scott Walters (UL Lafayette Biology Department) com-
pleted his field research of the effects of hurricanes and
sea level rise on the ecology and restoration of the brown
pelican. His research included a translocation project
from Raccoon Island to Whiskey Island, habitat assess-
ments, monitoring of nesting colonies, and band surveys.
Dr. Frank Rhower (LSU Renewable Natural Resources)
continued their research investigating seabird usage of
the refuge.
Photo of the completed dune creation component of the Whiskey Island Proj-
ect in October 2009.
Photos of the dune creation component of the Whiskey Island Back Barrier
Marsh Creation Project in August 2009.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
61
Bird nesting signs were posted on the islands to warn vis-
itors of nesting activities.
A U.S. House Agriculture Committee visit of the islands
was attended by Vice Chairman Tim Holden. The visit
was coordinated by NRCS to visit coastal Louisiana. The
visit included a landing on Whiskey Island to talk about
the Raccoon Island breakwater project.
Several sediment fences were constructed on Trinity and
East islands as part of the Office of Coastal Protection
and Restoration's Barrier Island Maintenance Program.
Coastal Operations staff continued to be heavily involved
in the development of the Louisiana Coastal Area
Terrebonne Basin project which is planning a very exten-
sive barrier island restoration project on the refuge.
Several coordination meetings with USACE were also
held in order to encourage the use of dredge materials
from the Houma Navigation Channel on Wine Island.
Summer shorebird surveys were conducted with assis-
tance from graduate students from LSU and Nicholls
State University. A variety of shorebirds were observed
including snowy, Wilson's and piping plovers.
The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill had significant
impacts to this refuge on East, Trinity, Whiskey and
Raccoon islands. Many oiled birds, including hatch year
pelicans, were oiled and rescued or recovered from the
islands. Significant impacts to young on the nest were
noted. Sea booms were deployed on all the islands, but
similar to other locations, failed to prevent oil impacts to
the island. A bagasse treatment was applied to the oil
soon after impact to minimize spreading of the oil on
young birds.
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Mark Castille
Lake Boeuf WMA is 802 acres and located in Lafourche
Parish just south of Lake Boeuf. This WMA is dominated
by cypress tupelo swamp and has an extensive freshwater
marsh dominated by bull tongue and maiden cane.
Coastal Operations staff mowed the ridge and trimmed
woody growth in preparation for hunting season twice
during fiscal year 2009-2010.
Self-clearing permits revealed that 23 hunters attempted
to harvest deer without success. Poor alligator prices
resulted in no alligator harvest on the WMA. There was
also no nutria harvest.
LOCAP pipeline maintained their right-of-way once dur-
ing fiscal year 2009-2010.
Area Biologist - Cassidy Lejeune
Technician Supervisor – David LeBlanc
Marsh Island Refuge is a 76,664-acre refuge located in
southern Iberia Parish. The refuge was donated to the
state in 1920, making it one of the oldest and largest ref-
uges in the state. The refuge was donated to the depart-
ment by the Russell Sage Foundation which was estab-
lished by Margaret Olivia Sage in honor of her late hus-
band. The donation came with a strict set of management
stipulations which are audited annually by the Russell
Sage Foundation Committee.
Replacement/consolidation plans have been made to
replace the refuge boat shed and headquarters. The func-
tions of several buildings have been consolidated to one
building to serve as both the headquarters and boat shed.
LDWF has submitted this plan to FEMA for consider-
ation. We are awaiting a final decision so that we can
solicit an architect to prepare final building designs.
FEMA, GOHSEP and Facility Planning have visited the
refuge many times this year.
Significant repairs were made to the airboat shed to make
it functional and safe for the continued purpose of storing
airboats. There will be interim repairs until final replace-
ment by FEMA.
Staff repaired various weirs and water control structures
on the refuge this year including replacing boards on the
boardwalk of the Belly Dam and Gordy Dam.
Staff mowed and reshaped the Big Impoundment Levee
in order to facilitate repairs to the levee and make future
maintenance and monitoring easier. Repairs to the levee
were also completed.
The East Marsh Island Marsh Creation CWPPRA project
(TV-21) was initiated during fiscal year 2009-2010. This
project was designed to restore and nourish brackish/
intermediate marsh on the northeastern tip of Marsh
Island. The initial project was to only create or enhance
marsh in a 365-acre area, however additional funding was
provided to more than triple the project site. Weeks
Marine was contracted to construct the project.
Approximately 8,000 oyster grass plugs were planted on
the southeast side of the refuge as part of the LDAF/
NRCS vegetative planting program.
The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill hit Marsh Island ref-
uge. Several birds were rescued and recovered on the ref-
uge. Tarballs and tar patties were found on the southern
perimeter of the refuge, most notable along the southwest
border. Booms were deployed across all the entrances of
the refuge in order to prevent oil from penetrating deep
onto the island. A quarters barge and equipment storage
barge were stationed on the refuge for response activities.
The mottled duck banding project was continued with the
banding of 69 new ducks and reporting of eight recap-
tured birds from previous years.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Approximately 4,900 acres were burned during high
water conditions as part of the refuge's prescribed burn
program. This burn was in the vicinity of Joe Aucoin
Bayou, Big Impoundment, East of Big Impoundment,
behind the Big Dam, and along the northern bayshore.
Burns are performed to provide ideal foraging habitat for
wintering geese and remove excess vegetative litter to
improve nesting habitat for mottled ducks.
Maintenance of water control structures and drawdowns
of management units were preformed according to man-
agement plans and goals to create ideal habitat for winter-
ing waterfowl.
The boundary of the refuge was reposted and maintained
many times during fiscal year 2009-2010. The rocks
along the bayshore of Lake Tom and the Bird Island jet-
ties were also posted with "Rock" warning signs.
Research projects ongoing this year include:
• Dr. Bruce Davis (LSU School of Renewable
Resources) mottled duck survival, habitat use and
movement of female mottled ducks. As part of this
project VHF radios were implanted in 40 hen mottled
ducks and tracked for up to 14 months.
• LDWF staff collected avian influenza samples on
mottled ducks as part of the USGS avian influenza
detection project.
Between the months of July through February recreation-
al use of the refuge was estimated at 17,450. Rainfall
totals for this period was 52.6 inches. The missing data is
not available at the time of this report due to the BP
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Clint Dauphinet
Pass-a-Loutre WMA, consisting of 15,000 acres, was
established in 1921 by an act of State Legislature. It was
designated as a "state shooting ground" which was the
precursor to today's WMAs. It is Louisiana's oldest WMA
and one of the first in the country. Pass-a-Loutre WMA
was Governor John Parker's response to public outcry
that the best hunting areas were all being leased by
wealthy hunters, and that the common man did not have
quality hunting opportunities. The WMA is dominated by
freshwater Roseau cane marsh and fringed by a brackish
community. The WMA lies within the Mississippi River
Delta in Plaquemines Parish.
East Marsh Island Marsh Creation Project being initiated during 2009-2010.
Inmates planting oyster grass in deteriorated marsh adjacent to W. Branch Oyster Bayou in July 2009.
Sta repairing water control structure at Marsh Island Refuge in January 2010.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
63
The reconstruction of the headquarters was completed
this year. The new headquarters blueprints were based
exactly on the old headquarters and only changed due to
changes in building codes and fire marshal directives.
The only building that still existed after Hurricane
Katrina was the workshop that has now been renovated,
lifted and converted into a laboratory.
Coastal Operations constructed the following facilities at
the headquarters:
• boat dock and walkway below the generator shed
• dock extension below boat shed
• cistern platform for generator shed
• wood rack and pipe rack
• dog kennels
• headquarters permit/check in station
• boardwalk to headquarters
• flooring/platform in airboat shed
• installed power to the airboat shed and under the
generator shed and tug boat plug
• installed lights on front dock.
• worked with Dune Energy to install a new gas line
from the entrance canal to the headquarters.
The mobile heavy equipment crew worked briefly on the
WMA this year. They assisted with driving pilings at
Loomis #1 campground, leveling the Loomis #1 camp-
ground and headquarters grounds from hurricane damage.
Entergy replaced the power lines on the WMA between
the headquarters and Port Eads. This operation utilized
heavy lift helicopters, marsh buggies and airboats.
Tropical Storm Ida inundated the WMA with an addition-
al 18 inches of water above high tide. Impacts to habitat
and facilities were negligible, but a large portion of the
headquarters island was covered in vegetative debris that
had to be manually removed.
LDWF coordinated with BEAN Dredging to plant a final
round of 1,200 cypress and oak seedlings throughout the
WMA to complete the mitigation agreement between
LDWF and BEAN for missing target elevations in the
reservoir marsh creation project.
Oil and gas exploration continues to be very active on the
WMA. Projects underway this year included:
• wireline work on several Apache, Forest and Dune
Energy production wells.
• inspection and maintenance of various pipeline
rights-of-way.
• Forest Oil submitted a permit request to drill a new
well. LDWF staff conducted a site visit for planning
purposes.
• met with Dune Energy on plans to drill two new
wells just off Dennis Pass.
A USCG Administrative Order 001-09 was issued to
Dune Energy notifying them that they have been desig-
nated as the "responsible party" for the "mystery oil spill"
located just off Dennis Pass. Dune now has to propose a
remediation plan to USCG to clean the site. This release
has been ongoing since Hurricane Katrina.
Coastal Operations staff continues to meet with LDNR
and other agencies to encourage USACE to change
dredge practices on the Lower Mississippi River. Goals
of the department are to cease spoil disposal in Pass-a-
Coastal Operations sta replacing boardwalk to the new headquarters.
Completed new headquarters opened ocially on April 29, 2010.
64
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Loutre and encourage beneficial use of all dredged mate-
rials. LDNR has denied consistency to the USACE, but
they continue to use Pass-a-Loutre as a disposal location.
Staff met with USACE on plans to dredge South Pass.
Plans are to create marsh on the east side of the pass in
the southern cell of the reservoir and in Garden Island
Bay.
Research projects on the WMA include:
• Sara Laporte (UL Lafayette) river shrimp parasite
research.
• Dr. Ray Bauer (UL Lafayette) research on river
shrimp migration patterns and life cycle. LDWF staff
is trapping samples for him and recording tempera-
ture and salinity.
• LDWF tagging and monitoring of white-tailed deer.
• LDWF collection of blood from feral hogs to moni-
tor for the presence of various viruses and parasites.
• LDWF collection of avian influenza samples for a
USGS led influenza monitoring project.
Pass-a-Loutre WMA was the closest land mass to the BP
Deepwater Horizon oil spill at approximately 38 miles.
As expected, this WMA was the heaviest impacted land
mass in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil made landfall here first
and was observed to hit multiple times each month in
May, June and July 2010. Approximately 80 percent of the
perimeter of the WMA experienced impacts from this oil
spill. Many birds were captured here and transported to
rehabilitation or collected dead and recorded as evidence.
Several field headquarters were established on the WMA
to service lower Plaquemines Parish. Five house boats
and storage barges were staged at our headquarters on
Dennis Pass. Living quarters and storage barges were
also set up in South Pass, Southeast Pass, near the mouth
of Pass-a-Loutre, and in Pass-a-Loutre near the conver-
gence of Southeast Pass. The USFWS set up three house-
boats at the headquarters and this became their largest
base of operations for wildlife rescue in the Gulf of
Mexico. From this field camp they covered all of lower
Plaquemines Parish from Empire to the Mississippi River
Gulf Ooutlet. The first live oiled sea turtles were captured
by state response teams on the crewboat Canvasback run-
ning out of Pass-a-Loutre. Oiled pelagic seabirds were
also collected from sea bound ships and oil rigs by teams
running out from the WMA.
The headquarters became an active heliport for clean up
crews, SCAT teams, media crews, operations and digni-
taries from across the country. Governor Jindal visited the
WMA three times. State politicians, local politicians,
Presidential cabinet members and Congressmen and
Senators from Washington D.C. frequented the area as
well. By all measures Pass-a-Loutre WMA was the "bull's
eye" of the oil spill. Impact from the oil spill will remain
for several years on the WMA, and it is expected that
clean up will extend well into the summer of 2011.
According to self-clearing permits, 40 attempts were
made to harvest seven deer for a success of one deer per
5.7 attempts. Feral hog hunters expended 160 attempts
and harvested 123 hogs for a success of one hog per 1.3
attempts.
Four bag checks were performed during teal season and it
was observed that an estimated 34 hunters harvested 48
teal for a success of 1.4 teal per hunter success. This
effort is an increase of 120 percent from the previous
year and hunter success also climbed 60 percent from the
previous year. These significant increased are due to the
poor turn out during the 2008 hurricane season.
During the regular waterfowl season, 14 bag checks were
conducted and recorded and estimate of 435 hunters
who's success was 2.1 ducks per hunter effort. This suc-
cess is down 42 percent from the previous year, and
effort was down 37 percent. Also harvested this year dur-
ing the bag check dates were 20 coots.
Poor prices on alligators led to a significant decline in
harvest this year. Of the 345 tags issued to area hunters
only 69 were filled by commercial trappers. However,
3,180 nutria were harvested on the WMA as well.
Between the months of July and February estimated rec-
reational use was 23,900 users, number of campground
use days was 992 users, and total rainfall was 34.7 inches.
Data for the rest of the year was not available at the time
of this report due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Mark Castille
Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA is 33,488 acres and located in
southern Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. It was pur-
chased from the Exxon Company in 1968 at a cost of $21
per acre and marked the first purchase of marsh land by
the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The habitat of
this WMA is primarily brackish and intermediate marsh
dominated by oyster and wire grass. Point Farm is a
1,000-acre bottomland hard wood ridge that is also locat-
ed on the WMA
GOHSEP, FEMA and Facility Planning visited the head-
quarters many times this year to discuss repair of the
buildings and structures on the WMA. The department is
pushing for timely repairs, but the project continues to be
delayed. LDWF submitted program narratives and
requested documentation as requested.
Major repairs completed this year included:
• Demolished the boat storage shed.
• Replacement of a five-ton A/C unit at the headquar-
ters.
• Installation of mud room on the first floor of the
headquarters.
• Installation of the new 8-inch yard pump at the head-
quarters.
• Drainage ditches at the headquarters were cleaned
out.
• Replaced the dock in and around the St. Louis Canal
boat shed.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
65
In July 2010 a fugitive hid on Point Farm after shooting a
Terrebonne Parish sheriff's deputy. A 10-hour man hunt
ensued involving police dogs and several helicopters. He
was eventually found, apprehended and taken into custo-
dy.
Oil and gas exploration remains active on the WMA:
• Tellus Oil continues to operate two wells on the
WMA and experienced two brine releases.
• Tellus Oil had a work-over rig on Exxon Road to
service one of its wells.
• Conoco Phillips inspected their pipeline right-of-way.
• Manti Operating Co. drilled a successful new well in
Grand Bayou. They also applied for a permit to pro-
duce the well.
• Baby Oil experienced two releases on the WMA
Coastal Operations staff worked extensively with the
Terrebonne Parish Levee District and the parishes on hur-
ricane protection projects such as Morganza to the Gulf
hurricane levee project, repairs to the 4-1 levee, repairs to
the Grand Bayou levee, repairs to the Montegut levee,
and development of mitigation projects on the WMA.
Approximately 90 percent of the boundary was reposted
and maintained this year.
Research projects on the WMA include:
• Los Alamos lightning detection equipment to predict
approaching hurricane strength.
Staff worked closely with DU and USFWS to develop the
Grand Bayou enhancement project and submitted it for
NAWCA funding. This project would enhance the Grand
Bayou #1 levee system, replace the water control struc-
ture on the St. Louis Canal, and add a third new structure
on the northeast corner of the project to introduce fresh
water to the project area.
The mottled duck banding project continued with the
banding of 209 new mottled ducks and one wood duck,
as well as 38 mourning doves.
Ten deer food plots were planted on Point Farm with iron
and clay peas. This project is done to enhance browse
availability for deer and to act as an attractant for the
youth deer hunt and archery hunters.
Staff maintained water control structures and manipulated
management units across the WMA to encourage the
growth of preferred waterfowl habitat for the fall migra-
tion.
Area staff spent a significant amount of time this year
helping Pass-a-Loutre staff prepare for the opening of the
new facility. They also assisted in many locations with
the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The BP Deepwater Horizon spill put sheens and small
amounts of oil on the WMA, primarily in Grand Bayou
and Wonder Lake. Many oiled birds were recovered on or
near the WMA as well. The largest impact of the spill on
the WMA was the absence of staff to perform routine
activities. Staff were dispersed throughout the coast for in
excess of four months to assist with the spill response in
other areas such as Grand Isle, Hopedale and Pass-a-
Loutre WMA.
Staff helped Tab Benoit coordinate a tree planting project
through the "Coastal Roots" program. The project includ-
ed having students from St. Martin School in Metairie,
La. plant trees on the farm. Staff cleared debris from
behind the dove field and provided transportation from
the parking lot to the site where the kids planted approxi-
mately 500 cypress and maple trees in a site that was
devastated by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
The youth lottery deer hunt was a success. Thirty-six
hunter efforts were expended over both two-day hunts
and resulted in the harvest of one doe.
The Pointe-aux-Chenes dove field was a success again.
Staff planted sorgum, brown top millet, Japanese millet
Another happy youngster who helped his father harvest a limit of doves on the
Pointe-aux-Chenes dove eld.
Coastal Operations sta repairing and setting water control structure.
66
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
and sunflower for the event. On opening day, 94 hunters
harvested 432 birds for a success of 4.6 doves per hunter
effort. This field continues to be one of the most success-
ful public fields in the state.
Alligator season was poor due to low market prices. Two
hundred tags were issued to the commercial trappers, but
only 120 were filled. Ten recreational lottery hunters were
issued three tags each and only filled 15 of the 30 tags.
Permitted commercial trappers also harvested 159 nutria
from the WMA this year.
During the four bag check dates conducted during teal
season, an estimated 320 hunters harvested an estimated
245 teal for a success of 0.8 teal per hunter. This success
is down 50 percent from the previous year, but efforts
increased by almost 100 percent. This is due in large part
to the poor turnout during the 2008 active hurricane sea-
son which devastated the area.
The regular waterfowl season demonstrated a success of
1.7 ducks per hunter effort. An estimated 1,566 hunters
participated during the 14 dates staff conducted water-
fowl bag checks. This success is down 15 percent from
the previous year, and participation also fell 30 percent.
Also harvested during the 14 check dates were 950 coots,
250 gallinule, 10 mergansers and five rail.
Self-clearing permits demonstrated that 28 efforts were
made to hunt deer. Only one of these attempts was suc-
cessful, harvesting an unknown size buck. This equates to
a success of one deer per 28 attempts. Several hunters
perused squirrel and rabbit, but statistics are not available
for these activities.
Between July and February the estimated recreational use
was estimated to be 32,125 users, and total rainfall was
32.4 inches. Totals for the entire year were not available
at the time of this report due to the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill.
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Clint Dauphinet
Salvador WMA is a 35,121-acre WMA located in
Southern St. Charles Parish. It was purchased from the
Exxon Company in 1968 at a cost of $21 per acre and
marked the first purchase of marsh land by the Wildlife
and Fisheries Commission. It was purchased along with
it's sister WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes. This WMA is a
freshwater marsh dominated by bulltounge and maiden
cane. Just to the east of Salvador is the 3,920-acre
Timken WMA. It is owned by the Orleans City Park
Improvement Association and has been leased to LDWF
since 1995. Both of these WMAs are currently the bene-
ficiary of one of the largest restoration projects in the
state. The Davis Pond freshwater diversion diverts fresh-
water from the Mississippi River into the northern portion
of Salvador WMA then drains into Lake Cataouatche.
These WMAs are maintained regularly by staff from
Pass-a-Loutre WMA.
LDWF is currently working with Facility Planning,
GOHSEP and FEMA to prepare plans to repair all build-
ings on the WMA. An architect (Louis F. Saab with
Hoffpalair Studios LLC) was hired to construct repair
plans, and we are working closely with them to move all
projects to construction. Repairs should begin in fiscal
year 2010-2011.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, staff built a temporary
enclosed generator platform to provide better housing for
the unit until the FEMA repairs can be made.
The entire boundary of the WMA was posted this year.
Coastal Operations sta posting the boundary of the WMA.
Coastal Operations sta managing nest boxes and banding waterfowl.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
67
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration visited
the WMA to gauge several benchmarks located at the
headquarters.
Approximately 100 cypress trees were planted on the
south side of the headquarters facility.
USACE created several cuts in the bank of the Cypress
Lumber Canal to enhance drainage from the Davis Pond
ponding area. This project included removal of vegetation
from large portions of the spoil banks on both the north
and south sides. Many cuts were protected with "rock"
and "warning" signs, which were installed to inform the
public of the danger. The results of this project have sig-
nificantly altered the hydrology of the Cypress Lumber
Canal by increasing the velocity.
The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill did not have a signif-
icant impact on the Salvador or Timken WMAs. Staff did
use the facilities to conduct pre-impact surveys through-
out Barataria Basin. The largest impact to the WMA was
the lack of maintenance and monitoring of the area in the
four months of inactivity due to oil spill response.
Staff continued to band waterfowl on the WMA, with 13
wood ducks and six black-bellied whistling ducks being
banded and released. All data was turned over to Wildlife
Division for data management. We experienced 80 per-
cent utilization of all wood duck boxes by black-bellied
whistling ducks and no wood ducks.
Self-clearing permits revealed that 133 attempts were
made to hunt deer resulting in the harvest of 15 deer for a
success of one deer per 8.9 hunts. Of the 15 deer harvest-
ed, nine were bucks and six were doe.
Alligator harvest was down as had been the pattern in
other WMAs due to low market prices. Commercial trap-
pers harvested 176 alligators of an allotted 456 tags
issued. Recreational lottery hunters harvested all 30 of
their issued tags. Ten recreational hunters were each
issued three tags.
Commercial nutria hunters also harvested 2,747 nutria
from the WMA this year.
Teal hunters extended and estimated 89 hunter efforts
during the four bag check dates conducted and harvested
0.4 teal per effort. This success is down 71 percent from
the previous year while hunter participation remained the
same.
During regular waterfowl season and estimated 676 hunt-
ers attempted to harvest ducks during the 14 bag checks
conducted. Average annual success was 0.7 ducks per
hunter attempt. Success and participation were both down
approximately 60 percent from the previous year. Also
harvested this year during the 14 mandatory checks were
2,800 coots, 300 gallinule and 30 rail.
Between June 2009 and February 2010, recreational use
was estimated at 36,450 users. Data for the rest of the
year is not available at the time of this report due to the
BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Area Biologist – Shane Granier
Technician Supervisor – Clint Dauphinet
St. Tammany Refuge is a 1,310-acre refuge located on
the North Shore of Lake Ponchentrain in St. Tammany
Parish. The refuge was purchased by the state in 1935
from the Great Southern Lumber Co. The refuge is man-
aged in cooperation with the USFWS along with Big
Branch National Wildlife Refuge.
No alligators or nutria were harvested on the refuge this
year.
Area Biologist – Cassidy Lejeune
Technician Supervisor – David LeBlanc
State Wildlife Refuge is a 13,000 acre refuge located in
Southern Vermillion Parish. It was donated to the state in
1911 by Mr. Edward McIlhenny and Mr. Charles Ward to
be managed as a wildlife refuge. This is the oldest refuge
in the state and one of the oldest in the country.
LDWF is working closely with FEMA, GOHSEP and
Facility Planning to repair and replace all buildings and
structures on this refuge. Several field trips to the refuge
have been conducted to discuss rebuilding plans. A con-
solidation plan has been developed on all buildings
between this refuge and Marsh Island Refuge and submit-
ted to FEMA. This plan calls for repairs to both boat
sheds, all bulkheads and moving funding for the rest to
major renovations at Marsh Island. We are waiting their
response before moving forward.
Staff from Marsh Island visits this refuge regularly to
maintain facilities and conduct routine monitoring and
projects.
Staff replaced the board road over the shallow water weir
at the headquarters. Plans were made to replace/repair
many water control structures on the refuge. Funding
sources will sought to make these repairs in fiscal year
2010-2011.
A prescribed burn was conducted over approximately
4,700 acres around Hog Bayou and Lake Portage.
Prescribed burns are done to encourage the growth of
preferred forage foods for wintering geese and to enhance
mottled duck nesting habitat.
Staff spent a significant portion of the FEMA contents
claims fund this year to refurnish the trapper's camp and
replace equipment lost during Hurricane Rita.
Marsh Island staff monitored for oil impacts at State
Wildlife Refuge during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil
spill. Although no impacts were observed at the refuge,
some habitat and wildlife impacts were observed by
68
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
LDWF staff on the adjacent private refuge, Paul J.
Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary. Staff assisted with capturing a
bird along the gulf shoreline of Paul J. Rainey Sanctuary.
Recreational use for the months of July to February was
estimated at 14,850. Data for the rest of the year was
unavailable at the time of this report due to the BP
Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Geese foraging in burned marsh near North Lake on Jan. 19, 2010.
Sta burning vegetation at State Wildlife Refuge during the winter of 2009-2010.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
69
OFFICE OF
FISHERIES
MARINE FISHERIES DIVISION
The Marine Fisheries Division is charged with
management of the full range of Louisiana's
estuarine and marine resources. Division
responsibilities are categorized as Fisheries
Management Programs and Habitat Protection
Programs. Participation in numerous local,
state, regional, national and international
committees, task forces and councils provides
professional expertise in the development of
state and federal regulation, legislation and
standards governing the wise use of renewable
natural resources.
INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION
The Inland Fisheries Division manages fish
populations and habitats for the conservation
and improvement of sport and commercial
fishing primarily in freshwater areas of the
state. Division responsibilities are divided into
two major categories: Fisheries Management
and Aquatic Habitat Management.
The Office of Fisheries is comprised of five divisions, Marine Fisheries, Inland
Fisheries, Research and Assessment, Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing
Board, and Socioeconomic Research and Development.
RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT
DIVISION
It is the mission of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Research and Assessment
Division to provide technical and scientific
support to the Office of Fisheries as it relates to
fisheries management issues; to improve
fishing/boating access and opportunity for users
to enjoy Louisiana's fishery resources and to
promote participation in Louisiana's fisheries
through outreach and education.
LOUISIANA SEAFOOD
PROMOTION & MARKETING
BOARD
The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and
Marketing Board was created by the Louisiana
Legislature with the purpose of enhancing the
public image of commercial fishery products,
promoting the consumption of these products
and assisting the seafood industry. According to
the mission statement, the board assistance is to
twofold: product promotion through advertising
programs and public image enhancements; and
market development by better utilizing existing
markets and establishing new market
opportunities.
SOCIOECONOMIC RESEARCH
& DEVELOPMENT
The Socioeconomic Research and Development
Section conducts economic research pertaining
to wildlife and fishery resources, provides
support to other LDWF programs, and
represents LDWF on various study groups, task
forces and committees.
OFFICE OF FISHERIES
ABBREVIATIONS
- Access, Opportunity and Outreach
- Bycatch Reduction Device
- Dual-frequency Identication Sonar
- Database Management System
- Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
- Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Louisiana Articial Reef Program
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board
- Louisiana State University
- Louisiana State University Coastal Fisheries Institute
- Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey
- Mississippi River Gulf Outlet
- Marine Stewardship Council
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Oxytetracycline
- Private Oyster Lease Rehabilitation
- Special Articial Reef Sites
- South Central Planning and Development Commission
- Southeast Monitoring and Assessment Program
- Sport Fish Restoration
- Socioeconomic Research and Development
- Turtle Excluder Device
- United States Army Corps of Engineers
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
71
ENVIRONMENTAL &
HABITAT DISASTER
RECOVERY
The Ofce of Fisheries strives to maintain Louisiana's
abundant shery resources and its commercial and rec-
reational opportunities by seeking and efciently imple-
menting federally funded programs to aid the recreational
and commercial shing industries in recovery from
natural and man-made disasters. Since Hurricane Andrew
in 1992, Fisheries has received continual federal appro-
priations to assist the commercial and recreational shing
industries during times of declared disasters and aid these
industries in recovery from the devastation. The recovery
efforts include repairs to state sh hatcheries, building of
articial reefs, and grant assistance awarded to vital sh-
ing and boating access points.
EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF
PROGRAM EDRP 1
In response to the hurricanes of 2005, Congress au-
thorized its rst shery disaster relief program in June
2006 (Public Law 109-234). On Aug. 25, 2006, the U.S.
Department of Commerce announced the issuing of a
grant to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
(GSMFC) to aid Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas
and Florida in rebuilding sheries. The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) granted funds
to the GSMFC for further subgrant to the Gulf coast
states. Louisiana's subgrant awards are:
• OR-RRR-020-2006-01 entitled Reseeding, Rehabili-
tating and Restoring Oyster Reefs (Job 1).
• OB-SGR-021-2006-01 entitled Rehabilitating Oyster
Bed and Shrimp Grounds (Job 2).
• CR-M-022-2006-01 entitled Cooperative Research to
Monitor Recovery of Gulf Fisheries (Job 3).
Following the passage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,
shermen from across the coast formed the Louisiana
Fishing Communities Rebuilding Coalition and identied
funding priorities for the recovery of Louisiana's com-
mercial and recreational sheries. Priorities, including
debris removal, and the evaluation of the status and health
of natural resources, are addressed by this congressional
appropriation.
• Surveys of public oyster seed grounds and seed
reservations, public and private oyster reef rehabili-
tation, including sediment/debris removal and reef
building; biological/environmental monitoring on
the public grounds.
• Documenting and removing underwater obstruc-
tions/wet debris; projects to restore marine species
access to impounded areas and to demonstrate use
of oyster reef to protect shorelines.
• Monitoring recovery of shing industries, survey-
ing licensed shermen, dealers and processors to
document and report debris on the shing grounds;
characterize present shing operations and collect
investment costs, operating costs, handling and
storage capacity; perceived problems facing the
industry, opinions on various management practices
and other operation characteristics; recreational
shery surveys.
• Funding for shery-independent data collections to
monitor recovery of Gulf shery stocks.
Projects were designed to be auditable and accountable,
and to include local shing communities and parishes or
other local entities to best use local resources. General
planning meetings were held among project staff on a
regular and continuing basis throughout the planning and
implementation period. Scoping and planning meetings
were held with state and federal agencies, and repre-
sentatives of the shing industries to identify needs and
opportunities.
The POLR program concluded during scal year 2009-
2010. It was an approximately $12 million program which
provided reimbursement assistance to private leaseholders
for the performance of rehabilitation activities on private-
ly leased water bottoms. Rehabilitation activities available
to the leaseholder under the POLR program included:
• sediment/debris removal.
• cultch deposition.
• resurveying/remarking of leases.
72
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
• relaying of oysters.
• bedding (i.e., transplanting) of oysters.
• replacement of lost/damaged lease records.
The program reimbursed participating leaseholders
(contracting parties) for costs associated with rehabilita-
tion activities up to a qualifying amount provided that the
leaseholder supplies supporting evidence that documents
the rehabilitation activities were performed.
The POLR program followed strict audit and accountabil-
ity measures, and required that participating leaseholders
sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisi-
ana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). This
agreement outlined the terms of the POLR program and
the amount of reimbursement the leaseholder qualied to
receive (upon the delivery of appropriate supporting docu-
mentation). In essence, the leaseholder signed the agree-
ment, traveled to his leases and performed the rehabilita-
tion activities, submitted a reimbursement request along
with appropriate supporting documentation, and was
reimbursed for his associated costs (certain limits applied,
such as daily vessel rates, etc.).
Leaseholders began signing POLR agreements on May
25, 2007 when LDWF held the rst of ve public meet-
ings with all interested leaseholders. The nal public
meeting was held in Baton Rouge at the LDWF head-
quarters on Oct. 18, 2007. At these meetings, interested
leaseholders proceeded through three stations in order to:
1. receive general information about the program.
2. check documents showing person has the legal right
to sign the agreement for the leaseholder.
3. sign the POLR agreement.
In addition to the ve public meetings, LDWF held nu-
merous one-on-one interviews with participating lease-
holders for the purpose of signing POLR agreements. Jan.
18, 2008 was the nal deadline for a leaseholder to sign
the POLR Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.
The POLR program included approximately 580 oyster
leaseholders participating and over $10.8 million in reim-
bursement assistance claims paid to participating lease-
holders during the term of the program for documented
rehabilitation work including the following totals for each
reimbursable activity (Table 1).
The POLR program was monitored both in the ofce
and in the eld. LDWF utilized a staff of four working
directly on this program in the ofce, with additional staff
performing administrative and eld-monitoring duties.
LDWF Fisheries eld staff members were trained to assist
with and to perform random eld inspections of POLR-
related rehabilitation activities. Ofce staff collected
call-in reports from the toll-free call center, determined
where rehabilitation work would be occurring, and dis-
tributed such information electronically to eld staff for
eld monitoring purposes. Field staff performed monitor-
ing with assistance from ofce staff when needed. On
dedicated eld monitoring days, eld staff would perform
eld inspections with the main goal of monitoring and
documenting POLR activities. During non-dedicated eld
work, eld staff would document POLR activities when a
POLR vessel was encountered during the normal course
of eld work. During the entirety of the program, approxi-
mately 33 percent of all POLR work days reported to the
toll-free call center by POLR participants was monitored
in the eld by LDWF staff.
Although federal funding for this aspect has been repro-
grammed, plans continue to be developed to incorporate
a native oyster hatchery at the new LDWF Fisheries
Research Lab on Grand Isle, La. The construction of this
laboratory was completed during scal year 2008-2009,
and space was allocated for a native stock oyster hatch-
ery. LDWF has received input on hatchery design from
researchers, including Louisiana State University (LSU)
oyster hatchery researchers. Necessary hatchery equip-
ment was planned to be purchased using other funding
sources, and the hatchery was scheduled to be in full
working order by spring 2010. The BP Deepwater Hori-
zon oil spill delayed work toward this end, and alternative
hatchery plans are now being considered with input from
LSU oyster hatchery researchers.
A list of scanners was received from Aero-Metric. The
scanner specs were sent to the Louisiana Division of Ad-
ministration to be sent out for bid. Aero-Metric has been
working on importing the existing database and creating a
Web interface for future data imput.
No activity during scal year 2009-2010 utilizing disaster
recovery monies.
No activity during scal year 2009-2010 utilizing disaster
recovery monies.
Biological monitoring of federally funded cultch planting
projects continued during scal year 2009-2010, and July
2010 quantitative sampling indicated that the cultch plants
were successful in producing harvestable quantities of
Sediment/Debris Removal $4,373,273.15
Cultch Deposition $1,256,757.71
Remarking/Resurveying $525,887.04
Relaying Oysters $377,307.22
Bedding Oysters $4,340,654.25
Replacement of Lost/Damaged LDWF
Lease Documents
$11,861.00
tabLe 1. POLR reimbursements by activity.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
73
oysters. Biological sampling on cultch plants constructed
in May 2009 showed that these new oyster reefs held be-
tween 89.9 and 998.2 barrels of oysters per acre (one bar-
rel equals two sacks). Similar sampling on cultch plants
constructed in May 2007 and 2008 showed less available
oysters, however these cultch plants had previously been
opened to commercial oyster harvest.
LDWF has continued work on the removal of marine de-
bris in state waters under a contract awarded to Crowder-
Gulf Joint Venture, Inc. The original contract was
structured whereby the contractor is assigned side scan
sonar survey and debris removal within individual grids
measuring four-square miles for a xed price of $37,100
per grid. This contract has been amended whereby the
contractor is assigned side scan sonar surveys of selec-
tive grids for a xed price of $14,500 per grid and debris
removal in selective grids for a xed price of $23,600.
This approach has resulted in cost savings as the costs of
debris removal within surveyed grids containing relatively
few or particularly small targets may be avoided allowing
LDWF greater exibility in assigning debris removal in
selective grids containing high target densities. The con-
tractor uses side scan sonar equipment to survey all water
bottoms within each assigned grid to identify the location
of debris contacts (waters less than 3 feet in depth are not
surveyed due to sonar's limited effectiveness in shallow
waters). Contractor is required to utilize Louisiana resi-
dent licensed vessels and crews comprised of Louisiana
resident shermen and charter boat operators to retrieve
debris. Marine debris removal work began in July 2007
within portions of Lake Borgne, followed by clean ups
within portions of Lake Pontchartrain (Middle Ground),
Lake St. Catherine, Calcasieu Lake, Vermilion and Cote
Blanche bays, and Barataria and Caminada bays north of
Grand Isle. Through June 2010, approximately 440 square
miles of the state's shrimp shing grounds have been
cleared of debris at a cost of $4.081 million. In January
2010, LDWF assigned the contractor with side scan sonar
survey of 30 grids located in the southeastern portion of
Lake Pontchartrain. Based upon review of the side scan
sonar survey data, the contractor was assigned debris
removal in 27 of these 30 grids and the work is ongoing.
This project compares the effectiveness, sustainability
and ecosystem effects of bio-engineered oyster reefs
for shoreline protection along eroding medium and
low-energy sheltered shorelines. Shell oyster reefs were
created in Caillou Lake (Sister Lake) in the Terrebonne
Basin. The experimental design consists of different reef
congurations in medium- and low-energy sites along the
lake shore. In addition, off-bottom oyster racks are also
deployed. Data measuring oyster growth rate, cumulative
mortality, incidence of Perkinsus marinus and MSX infec-
tions, oyster condition, spat recruitment and settlement,
nekton biomass, relative shoreline position, vegetation,
soil percent organic matter, and chlorophyll are collected
at these sites. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of
bio-engineered reefs as shoreline protection measures.
This project examines the effects of water control struc-
tures on nekton movement using dual-frequency identi-
cation sonar (DIDSON) acoustic imaging technology.
The project is specically investigating the role of tide
stage, diel periodicity and season on ne scale temporal
and spatial patterns of movement of nekton movement
through water control structures in salt marshes. The proj-
ect has examined a site in Hopedale, La., and several sites
on Calcasieu Lake. The goal is to enhance the understand-
ing of how sh move through these water control struc-
tures in the hopes that the ndings may lead to develop-
ment of structures that allow for greater movement.
The Ofce of Fisheries is responsible for the identica-
tion, administration and management of state sheries. To
accomplish these tasks, the Ofce of Fisheries released a
Request for Proposals for Database Management System
(DMS) Design and Implementation to replace its aging
DMS. A pre-proposal conference was held on Aug. 3,
2009 to introduce potential bidders to the existing DMS,
the databases in production, and to discuss the func-
tionality required in the new DMS. All subsequent bids
from were reviewed by committee in October 2009 and
Modulant, Inc. was selected. Contract negotiations with
Modulant, Inc. were completed, and the nal contract was
signed on April 1, 2010. Work is scheduled to begin in
August 2010 and be completed by June 2011.
During this period, Fisheries staff complied trip ticket
information in table format from 2000 through 2007 and
presented some of the results at the following profes-
sional meeting. A poster was presented at CNREP 2010
conference (Challenges of Natural Resource Economics &
Policy: The Third National Forum on Socioeconomic Re-
search in Coastal Systems) in New Orleans, La., on May
26-28, 2010. The title of the poster was "Coastal Loui-
siana Parishes: Trends and Signs of Recovery in Shrimp
Industry from Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005." A
slide presentation was presented at the American Fisheries
74
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Society meetings held Jan. 28-29, 2010 in Baton Rouge,
La. The title of the presentation was "Louisiana Shrimp
Dealer Participation Trends 2000-2007: A Comparative
Analysis Pre- and Post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Loui-
siana Shrimp Industry: Trends from 2000-2007."
LDWF contracted with the University of New Orleans to
collect and enter shery-independent data within the Lake
Pontchartrain system. Sampling is conducted using stan-
dard LDWF protocols at six stations located throughout
Lake Pontchartrain and include sampling for both nsh
and crustaceans. These data are being used by LDWF to
evaluate and manage the recovery of the estuarine sher-
ies following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These data are
also being used to establish a new "baseline" to further
assess any changes within this important area. During the
reporting period, data were utilized to assess the impacts
of the Bonnet Carre' Spillway opening in 2008.
This survey was administered to 591 holders of a 2008
Louisiana Resident Charter Captain License. The sur-
vey was designed to collect vital data on the effects of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and on the current status of
Louisiana's charter industry, as well as provide a method
of distributing funds appropriated for charter industry
relief. Data compiled from the survey provides a better
understanding of the industry's status at the time of collec-
tion, what it needed to survive, the short- and long-term
impacts of the 2005 hurricanes, as well as other factors
affecting the industry.
• LDWF reviewed a proposal by the LSU La. Sea
Grant ofce to develop and administer the survey.
• LDWF is currently developing a contract in conjunc-
tion with the LSU La. Sea Grant ofce based on this
proposal and the department's needs for this program.
• LDWF staff biologists and economists developed a
draft survey instrument to be presented to LSU La.
Sea Grant ofce as a foundation for the survey.
• Approximately $148,200 of the 2006 Emergency
Supplemental funds have been set aside for this proj-
ect to cover costs of survey development and imple-
mentation, as well as cooperative research payments
to those charter captains that participate.
The 2008 Regular Legislative Session enacted R.S.309.H,
which required LDWF to develop a voluntary reporting
system for the charter industry. LDWF contracted with
BlueFin Data to develop a pilot program in the form of an
electronic logbook system. This system was demonstrated
at the following locations:
• Chalmette High School - Sept. 22, 2009
• Houma Municipal Auditorium - Sept. 23, 2009
• Latte Town Hall - Sept. 29, 2009
• LSU AgCenter, Lake Charles - Sept. 30, 2009
• Covington City Council Chambers - Oct. 1, 2009
• LDWF Marine Laboratory - Oct. 6, 2009
• Jefferson Parish Library, Metairie - Oct. 15, 2009
• Slidell Public Library - Nov. 17, 2009
Attendees were given copies of the software and were
instructed in its use. Comments from participants were
used to further rene the software design.
LDWF developed a $15.7 million cooperative research
program to monitor the recovery of Louisiana com-
mercial sheries impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita in 2005, and Gustav and Ike in 2008. Funding for
this program came from a $52.9 million federal sheries
disaster assistance grant from the NOAA (Grant Num-
ber NA06NMF4540319) through GSMFC. LDWF will
provide compensation to qualied Louisiana resident
commercial shermen and wholesale/retail seafood deal-
ers who submit completed socioeconomic surveys. These
surveys were designed by LDWF economists to capture
information on the recovery status of the state's commer-
cial sheries and shing industries.
In order to be considered eligible to participate in this
program, shermen and dealers must meet one of the fol-
lowing requirements:
• Louisiana resident commercial shermen who held a
valid 2008 Resident Commercial Fisherman's License
and had combined trip ticket-reported sales valued at
$5,948 or more during the three-year period, Sept. 1,
2005 - Aug. 31, 2008. All saltwater species landings
(shrimp, crab, oyster, menhaden and saltwater nsh)
are included in total sales, regardless of the sher-
man's parish of residence. Freshwater species land-
ings (freshwater nsh and wild-caught crawsh) are
included only if the sherman resided in any of the
26 LDWF-identied, hurricane-impacted parishes.
• Louisiana resident wholesale/retail seafood dealers
who held a valid 2008 Resident Wholesale/Retail
Seafood Dealer's License and had combined trip
ticket reported purchases valued at $20,756 or more
during the three-year period, Sept. 1, 2005 - Aug. 31,
2008. All saltwater species landings (shrimp, crab,
oyster, menhaden and saltwater nsh) are included
in total sales, regardless of the wholesale/retail
dealer's parish of operation. Freshwater species land-
ings (freshwater nsh and wild-caught crawsh) are
included only if the wholesale/retail dealer opera-
tion was located in any of the 26 LDWF-identied,
hurricane-impacted parishes.
Eligible commercial shermen and wholesale/retail deal-
ers received information packets during April 2009, which
included instructions, application forms and a business-
reply envelope. Once required forms were returned,
participants received an additional packet containing the
Cooperative Research Survey, detailed instructions for
completing the survey, and a self-addressed business-re-
ply envelope to be used in returning the completed survey.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
75
Through June 30, the program parameters were
developed, the survey instruments created, coor-
dination with South Central Planning and Devel-
opment Commission (SCPDC) and an external
accounting rm was undertaken to assure clear
lines of communication and duties were devel-
oped, and it was determined that resources were
available for all necessary tasks. SCPDC and
afliated planning districts receive and process
all information about this cooperative research
program. Any questions concerning eligibility,
requests for information, etc., were handled by
SCPDC via telephone, mail or the website set up
for the program at www.scpdc.org/sheriesas-
sistance.
LDWF hosted a series of public meetings in
coastal communities beginning April 21, 2009
to present information about the program and
review instructions on participating in and com-
pleting cooperative research surveys.
Review of the surveys for completeness by
SCPDC, for consistency by LDWF, and pay-
ment of surveyed participants began in these
months. The deadline for submitting a com-
plete survey has passed except for individuals
involved in the reconsideration process. During
this period, 2,291 shermen received payment,
and 281 dealers received payment. The total
funds disbursed valued $11,436,789. A summary
of payments is included in Table 2.
LDWF and its contractor have completed scan-
ning software tests and have begun scanning
surveys and processing data. The data is being
incorporated into computerized databases.
EDRP2 PROGRAM ASSIS
TANCE TO COMMERCIAL AND
RECREATIONAL FISHERIES
SUB GRANT ACF025200702
Congress authorized additional funding ($41.3
million) under the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veter-
ans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Account-
ability Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-28)
to provide assistance to the Gulf of Mexico
commercial and recreational shing industries
affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The ap-
propriation to GSMFC for sub-grant to the states
was approved in August 2007, and Louisiana re-
ceived legislative budget authority in December
2007. Under this GSMFC Emergency Disaster
Recovery Program (EDRP II), Louisiana's two
sub-grant awards were:
• Economic assistance to commercial shers,
charterboat operators, vessel owners and
wholesale/retail seafood dealers (total to
LDWF Ofce of Fisheries = $40 million)
• Domestic product marketing and promotion
of Louisiana wild-caught seafood (total to
1 38 27 11 $286,966.48 8/31/2009
2 78 62 16 $415,298.33 9/10/2009
3 67 54 13 $453,149.08 9/17/2009
4 43 40 3 $126,211.89 9/23/2009
5 43 39 4 $161,532.62 9/29/2009
6 39 32 7 $173,925.92 10/6/2009
7 47 42 5 $125,023.07 10/9/2009
8 34 31 3 $164,563.92 10/22/2009
9 59 53 6 $347,406.07 10/30/2009
10 55 46 9 $262,746.94 11/9/2009
11 44 37 7 $277,153.24 11/17/2009
12 42 35 7 $297,104.84 11/23/2009
13 69 66 3 $183,057.54 12/1/2009
14 54 51 3 $170,379.87 12/10/2009
15 126 115 11 $363,465.27 12/15/2009
16 69 62 7 $423,331.61 12/28/2009
17 69 63 6 $267,782.34 1/6/2010
18 65 60 5 $191,693.13 1/14/2010
19 71 69 2 $257,869.05 1/20/2010
20 50 44 6 $256,856.18 2/2/2010
21 83 79 4 $300,230.27 2/9/2010
22 74 69 5 $319,712.39 2/19/2010
23 91 88 3 $342,998.27 3/2/2010
24 44 43 1 $118,501.97 3/15/2010
25 99 93 6 $374,194.41 3/21/2010
26 76 72 4 $246,332.22 3/30/2010
27 111 106 5 $437,450.88 4/8/2010
28 84 37 47 $1,070,104.02 4/14/2010
29 79 41 38 $922,084.44 4/23/2010
30 90 87 3 $297,294.22 4/28/2010
31 109 106 3 $284,439.82 5/4/2010
32 72 70 2 $252,720.76 5/11/2010
33 75 74 1 $209,971.18 5/18/2010
34 60 59 1 $149,124.47 5/26/2010
35 70 69 1 $194,386.71 6/8/2010
36 92 71 21 $486,070.67 6/16/2010
37 101 99 2 $226,525.11 6/28/2010
tabLe 2. Payments made to eligible commercial harvesters, and wholesale/retail seafood
dealers that have completed survey.
76
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
LDWF, Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board =
$1.3 million).
LDWF contracted with SCPDC to assist with program
administration by identifying and receiving responses
from eligible participants who choose to participate in the
LDWF economic assistance payment program. LDWF de-
veloped and provided eligible Louisiana resident commer-
cial shermen, commercial shing vessel license hold-
ers, charter boat operators, and wholesale/retail seafood
dealers with a notication of eligibility packet. The packet
was mailed to 8,111 commercial shing participants and
721 charter guides. The packets included background
information about the program and the funding source,
and a unique, individual "Qualication for Economic
Assistance Payments and Statement of Certication
Form," which identied each specic economic assis-
tance payment component the participant was qualied
to receive. This form was to be completed and returned
to SCPDC in order to receive assistance payments. This
form also included a statement certifying that the appli-
cant has not been found in violation of any turtle excluder
device (TED) or bycatch reduction device (BRD) regula-
tion by either federal or state law enforcement agencies
if Louisiana trip ticket data indicated landings of trawl-
caught shrimp during the qualifying period. Packets also
contained additional instructions, information on the
allocation of funds between and among the various shing
sectors, and additional forms including a sample "Board
Resolution," which was required if the participant was an
incorporated business, a "Trip Ticket Report Application
Request Form" for use if a participant wanted to request a
copy of their personal trip ticket report data, and a federal
"Form W-9."
LDWF also entered into contract with Postlethwaite and
Netterville, a professional accounting rm, to assist with
processing payments and developing federal 1099 forms
to qualied participants.
The assistance payment program was developed with
strict accountability standards. The following risks were
considered in program development, although this list
is not intended to include every risk that may have been
inherent within the process:
• Disbursing funds to an ineligible individual/entity.
• Disbursing funds to an incorrect individual/entity.
• Fraudulently changing disbursement amount on a
payment.
• Inadequate, inconsistent, fraudulent or lack of docu-
mentation.
• Disbursement recorded to incorrect category.
• Duplicate line item disbursement.
• Un-auditable controls.
• Loss of documentation.
• Over- or under-payment to individual/entity.
The process addressed disbursements to qualied, eligible
individuals/entities:
• resident licensed charter boat guides.
• resident commercial shermen.
• resident commercial shing vessel license holders
in the shrimp, oyster, saltwater sh and menhaden
sheries.
• resident wholesale/retail seafood dealers.
A multi-user data management system was developed to
capture the data related to these disbursements. The sys-
tem secured connection between ofces using an encrypt-
ed VPN connection on a server placed in a secure facility
to mitigate potential exposure from unsolicited individu-
als. This accounting system allowed the following:
1. A user (SCPDC) entered qualication details into the
data system from information included in the packets
mailed to and returned by potential program partici-
pants.
2. Another user (LDWF staff) to review the data en-
tered.
3. Another user (LDWF program staff) to approve the
data entered.
4. A user (LDWF staff) to run a report to compile a
distribution amount for payment.
5. Another user (LDWF program staff, administra-
tion or executive staff) approve the payment, which
included payment details (bank account data), and
6. Another user (Disbursing Agent – Postlethwaite &
Netterville) with the ability to execute payment by
paper check or through an EFT upload to a nancial
institution.
7. Periodic progress and nancial reports were prepared
as required, and other management reports were
prepared as needed.
SCPDC began certifying qualifying individuals/entities
(step 1 in the payment process, above) during May 2008
and disbursement of assistance payments to qualifying
commercial shers, commercial shing vessel license
holders, wholesale/retail seafood dealers and charter
boat operators who were active in the sheries during
the qualifying period (September 2004 through August
2005) began in late June. LDWF paid direct assistance to
eligible program participants through scal year 2009-
2010 (Table 3).
Program activities were disrupted by the passage of Hurri-
cane Gustav, which crossed the central Louisiana coast on
Sept. 1, 2008, followed by Hurricane Ike, which crossed
the Texas Coast on Sept. 13, 2008. LDWF headquarters
in Baton Rouge was closed Aug. 29 through Sept. 4 for
Hurricane Gustav, and again on Sept. 12 for Hurricane
Ike. LDWF eld ofces in coastal parishes were closed,
for varying amounts of time depending on location,
between Sept. 1-21. All LDWF activities immediately
prior to and for several days after storm passages were
directed toward support of the state's emergency response
plan for search and rescue. All LDWF operational activi-
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
77
ties were severely disrupted during September 2008. In
addition, the SCPDC ofce was commandeered by the
Terrebonne Parish Ofce of Emergency Preparedness for
use as their emergency response command center during
the response to Hurricane Ike; SCPDC POLR staff oper-
ated in temporary ofce space from Sept. 11-29, 2008.
Postlethwaite & Netterville's ofce also was closed during
early September 2008 due to the heavy damage inicted
on Baton Rouge by Hurricane Gustav. Following both
storms LDWF, in conjunction with GSMFC and NOAA
Fisheries, began re-evaluating the scopes of work for
EDRP1 projects in light of the continuing needs of Gulf
of Mexico sheries still attempting to recover from the
impacts of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005.
All funds originally allocated to the menhaden shery
were disbursed during the rst round of payments. The
plan for allocation of remaining economic assistance
funds for commercial and charter sheries is summarized
in Table 3. Disbursements to complete this phase of the
project began Jan. 25, 2010; payments made to-date, in-
cluding rst- and second-round payments are summarized
in Table 3. All payments to qualied participants have
been completed. The nal payment selection was made
April 22, 2010.
As required by Section 115(c) (1) of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2006, 2 percent of the available appropriation
was disbursed to shermen with a demonstrated record of
compliance with TED/BRD regulations. LDWF com-
mercial license and trip ticket report les were used to
identify shrimp shers who were subject to TED/BRD
regulations (who reported sales of trawl caught shrimp on
LDWF trip tickets) in the period between September 2004
and August 2005.
Disbursement of the remainder of funds allocated to
TED/BRD compliance continued during this quarter. In
order to fully expend the 2 percent of the appropriation as
required, the balance of TED/BRD funds ($227,554) was
divided equally as a supplemental payment among the
1,132 participants who have already received the initial
$531 TED/BRD payment. Each received an additional
$198 payment. Disbursements to complete this phase
of the project began Jan. 25, 2010 and all payments to
qualied participants have been completed. A summary of
payments is included in Table 3.
RECREATIONAL FISHERIES
ASSISTANCE
A program designed to assist marinas was developed
and implemented to provide economic assistance to the
saltwater recreational shing industry for losses incurred
due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Eligibility criteria for
participating in the program are as follows:
• The marina facility must be open to the general pub-
lic to provide access to the state's waterways for the
purpose of accommodating the needs of recreational
saltwater shermen.
• The facility must have been listed on the LDWF Ma-
rine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS)
site register during 2004-2005.
• The owners/lessees of the marina must have allowed
LDWF biologists to conduct scheduled MRFSS at
their facility during 2008.
• The marina facility must be privately owned. (Pub-
licly owned facilities are not eligible.)
The award amount is tiered based on predetermined sh-
ing pressure estimated at each facility, and on measured or
estimated storm surge at the facility resulting from Hur-
ricanes Katrina or Rita. Payment tier levels are:
• Tier 1 - $11,541.14
• Tier 2 - $28,599.57
• Tier 3 - $51,378.57
• Tier 4 - $87,574.00
• Tier 5 - $136,093.81
Owners/lessees were to complete and submit a socioeco-
nomic survey for payment.
Through the reporting period, a total of 60 marinas were
pre-qualied to participate in the assistance program, and
59 marinas have been paid a total of $3,315,366. One
"hostile" facility has returned a Memorandum of Under-
standing certifying that they will be cooperative in the
MRFSS program and was awarded a base payment of
$5,770.57. An additional 10 facilities requested to be eval-
uated for eligibility. It was determined that seven of the 10
were eligible to participate in the program. Two facilities
have requested reconsideration of their tier status.
LDWF worked in cooperation with the Louisiana Depart-
ment of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) to
restore access to an import coastal waterfront through
the repairs of a three mile limestone road. This road was
severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina, making
it impassible due to large breaches. The repair of these
breaches has allowed for vehicle passage and access to the
important coastal waterfront.
LDWF worked in cooperation with the LSU School of
Veterinary Medicine to develop aquaculture protocols for
cocahoe minnows (Fundulus grandis) that would ensure a
steady supply of healthy minnows, uniform in size, for the
bait industry.
Working in cooperation with LDWF, the LSU AgCenter is
developing parameters and protocols for holding marine
bait shes to provide a consistent source of cocahoe min-
nows (Fundulus grandis) to Louisiana anglers.
78
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
$529,586 443 $325,605
$352,250 4,339 $216,950
$231,200 3,262 $163,100
$5,976,089 450 780 898 $5,232,479
$5,080,860 448 704 788 $4,706,596
$825,460 1,132 $601,092
$2,466,160 218 322 371 $2,106,265
$1,782,694 110 154 180 $1,459,214
$1,580,252 123 162 165 $1,393,941
$1,110,565 172 204 242 $963,366
$907,202 173 210 237 $871,727
$4,090,357 $4,090,367
$228,819 64 96 119 $150,813
$464,572 65 170 $322,897
$63,400 399 $39,900
$1,216,475 73 101 138 $1,024,148
tabLe 3. Total rst- and second-round, to-date payments to eligible commercial harvesters, commercial shing vessel license holders, wholesale/
retail seafood dealers and licensed charter boat shing guides under the Louisiana Fishing Industry Supplement for Hurricane Recovery – Eco-
nomic Assistance for Louisiana Commercial and Recreational Fishermen and TED-BRD Compliant Fishermen Program.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
79
$203,981 442 $203,320
$650,612 n/a 450 780 898 $650,434
$593,133 n/a 448 704 788 $593,728
$224,368 1,132 $224,136
$386,031 n/a 218 322 371 $385,499
$270,838 n/a 110 154 180 $270,934
$274,498 n/a 123 162 165 $274,419
$101,941 n/a 172 204 242 $101,998
$102,270 n/a 173 210 237 $102,133
$0 n/a $0
$80,139 n/a 64 96 119 $80,138
$146,007 n/a 65 170 $145,993
$203,672 n/a 73 101 138 $203,803
80
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
LDWF worked in cooperation with LSU to begin re-
designing the existing static marina, boat launch and
commercial facility database created by LOSCO into an
updatable database. The database will be available to the
public online and will provide information on marinas,
boat launches and commercial facilities such as opera-
tional status, location, ramp information, etc.
LDWF is working with the LDOTD to make benecial
use of concrete debris resulting from the destruction of
the I-10 Twin Span bridges by Hurricane Katrina to create
two articial reefs in Lake Pontchartrain. The two phases
of the project will provide habitat for marine sheries
species and opportunity for recreational shers. Deploy-
ment of material at the South Twin Span Reef commenced
February. In March, LDOTD offered 22 additional spans
at no cost to the project. The deployment of material at the
South Twin Span Reef was completed by December 2010.
The survey of the reef will be conducted upon completion
and the marking buoys deployed. The South Twin Span
Reef will be constructed from 60 recycled bridge spans.
The second phase of the bridge demolition is scheduled
to be awarded by LDOTD in early 2011. Once awarded,
the development of the North Twin Span Reef will com-
mence. LDWF allocated $915,000 towards the develop-
ment of two new inshore reefs in Lake Pontchartrain.
Approximately 27,000 tons of concrete bridge material
from 102 spans will be deployed at the two articial reefs.
The 2005 and 2008 hurricanes degraded the established
and well-known Bird Island and Point Mast articial reefs
in Lake Pelto. LDWF allocated $670,000 to restore the
habitat which in turn would provide recreational opportu-
nities. After performing some preliminary surveys of the
two reefs, a decision was made to enhance the Point Mast
Reef and to develop a new Bird Island II reef adjacent to
the original Bird Island reef. Approximately 8,800 tons of
#57 limestone was deployed over an eight-day period in
November 2009 to create the two reef sites.
ECONOMIC DISASTER RELIEF
FOR LOUISIANA DUE TO
HURRICANES GUSTAV & IKE
The 2008 Hurricanes Gustav and Ike impacted the
Louisiana coastline and its sheries. The Secretary of
Commerce declared a shery resource disaster in the
Louisiana Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 17, 2008 due to the
devastation of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The passage
of these storms severely impacted the commercial shing
industry through revenue and infrastructure losses. The
LSU AgCenter estimated a maximum revenue loss to
Louisiana sheries as a result of Hurricanes Gustav and
Ike in September 2008 to be $70.6 million. The maximum
estimated infrastructure loss determine by LSU AgCenter
associated with these hurricanes is $84.1 million. (These
values were estimates as of Sept. 24, 2008.)
The U.S. Congress appropriated $40 million to Louisiana
for sheries disaster assistance to the commercial shing
industry under sections 308(b) and 308 (d) of the Inter-
jeurisdictional Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 4107, NOAA
Grant NA09NMF4520024). The appropriated funds are
vital to the recovery of these important sheries dev-
astated by the hurricanes. These funds are being issued
to provide partial cost reimbursement for uninsured or
underinsured commercial sheries infrastructure (docks,
ice houses, vessels, shing gear, etc.) that we damaged
during the storms.
In June 2008, the Ofce of Fisheries launched the $30
million Federal Fisheries Reimbursement Program to
distribute the appropriated funds to qualied commercial
shermen and wholesale/retail dealers. In order to qualify
for the program, individuals must have held a 2008 Loui-
siana Resident Commercial Fishing or Wholesale/Retail
Dealer License and must have reported sales or purchases
of saltwater species on LDWF trip tickets during Sept. 1,
2005 - Aug. 31, 2008 (and received by LDWF by Nov. 30,
2008). Eligible participants received an initial payment
of 50 percent of the participant's eligible reimbursement
amount. The remaining 50 percent of the reimbursement
was to be issued after the participant submitted acceptable
invoices/receipts documenting the use of the entire initial
payment on eligible items.
Starting in July 2009, eligible participants began submit-
ting their packets to SCPDC in Gray, La. SCPDC re-
viewed the packets for completion of all necessary docu-
ments, contacting the participants to complete documents
if necessary, then scanned the completed packets into the
electronic database. Once entered, les were submitted
to LDWF staff for review of accuracy. LDWF staff ran
weekly batches, reviewing a random 10 percent selection
of vendor les. If more than 5 percent of the 10 percent
of the vendor les had inaccuracies, the entire batch was
sent back to SCPDC for re-review of the les. After re-
reviewing the les and correcting any inaccuracies in the
database, the les were sent back to LDWF for review.
When less than 5 percent error rate was found, LDWF
approved the batch for initial payment. The rst checks
were mailed out in September 2009. To date, $14,867,489
in initial payment funds have been mailed out.
After receiving their rst check, vendors started submit-
ting receipts/invoices to SCPDC in September 2009.
Once a vendor has submitted enough receipts/invoices to
equal the amount of their rst check, the receipts/invoices
are scanned into the database. Starting in November
2009, LDWF pulled batches weekly from the database.
The batches were then sent to the Louisiana Legislative
Auditor's ofce for review of eligibility based on criteria
determined by LDWF. After review, the Louisiana Legis-
lative Auditor's ofce submited reports to LDWF detail-
ing whether or not a vendor submitted enough eligible
receipt/invoices. Vendors with enough eligible receipts/
invoices were approved for payment by LDWF. Vendors
without enough eligible receipts/invoices were placed
on an exception report. The exception report was sent
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
81
to SCPDC, where the vendors were then contacted and
given a month to resolve their exception. At the end of the
month, the exception vendors were sent back to the Loui-
siana Legislative Auditor's ofce for re-review. Vendors
that resolve their exceptions were approved for payment
by LDWF. Vendors that did not resolve their exceptions,
were removed from their current batch, and placed back
in the database until the exception was resolved. The rst
checks for the second portion of the program were mailed
out Dec. 14, 2009. To date, $9,731,783 in second payment
funds have been mailed out.
Overall, 2,978 vendors have received initial payments (74
percent of all eligible vendors). Of those, 1,989 vendors
also received second payments (66 percent of rst check
recipients). A total of $24,599,272 in funds have been sent
out to eligible participants.
ACCESS,
OPPORTUNITY &
OUTREACH
The Access, Opportunity and Outreach (AOO) of the Of-
ce of Fisheries accomplishes its objective by providing
and maintaining articial reefs, responding to threats from
invasive species, managing public access sites, and engag-
ing and supporting the resources' beneciaries.
ARTIFICIAL REEF PROGRAM
Articial reefs provided by AOO provide resource habitat
benets while giving anglers rich and abundant shing
areas in otherwise dormant conditions. The Louisiana
Articial Reef Program (LARP) was founded in 1986
through the cooperative efforts of the LSU Coastal Fisher-
ies Institute (LSUCFI) and LDWF. Resultant legislation
called for the development of a State Articial Reef Plan
and provided for an articial reef program in Louisiana.
Act 100 of the 1986 Legislature established that LDWF
would operate the program with logistical support from
LSUCFI. LDWF and LSUCFI produced a plan in the fall
of 1986 that was accepted by the Louisiana Legislature.
The plan outlined the siting, permitting and monitoring
requirements of the program.
LARP was established to use obsolete oil and gas plat-
forms to provide habitat for Louisiana's coastal shes
and shing opportunities for recreational and commercial
harvesters. Federal law and international treaty require oil
exploration companies to remove these platforms one year
after production ceases. LARP has provided an oppor-
tunity for oil companies to contribute to maintenance of
sheries habitat. Since its inception, 65 oil and gas-related
companies have participated in the offshore program and
donated the jackets of 249 oil and gas structures. Twenty-
six obsolete oil and gas structures were accepted into the
offshore articial reef program during scal year 2009-
2010. Previously deployed offshore reef materials include
40 armored personnel carriers and one offshore tug.
Four deep-water oil and gas platforms have been accepted
into the deep-water reef program. Even though these reefs
are in water depths in excess of 400 feet, the structure
establishing the reef must maintain sufcient prole in the
water column to be accepted into LARP. The deployments
of the platforms undergo a non-explosive partial removal
process which preserves the established biological com-
munity with minimal disturbance, maintains shing op-
portunities for residents, and saves money on the decom-
missioning of the platform.
LARP also manages a Special Articial Reef Sites
(SARS) program, specically aimed at establishing arti-
cial reefs under unusual and/or exceptional circumstances,
including occurrences such as natural and man-made
catastrophes outside LARP's nine articial reef planning
areas. The oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico
82
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
continues to recover from the devastation of the 2005 and
2008 hurricane seasons. Industry has sought alternatives
in cleanup activities to reduce the cost of removal and
have petitioned LARP to accept structures at the location
they were destroyed. LARP attempts to minimize negative
impacts and the cost of removing these structures while
maintaining and enhancing sheries habitat. Industry is
nearing completion of the remaining approved SARS
projects related to the 2005 hurricanes. A moratorium on
future SARS is in effect by the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Regulation and Enforcement.
In addition, the reef program has developed 27 inshore
reefs, primarily low-prole reefs composed of shell and
limestone. LDWF constructed eight reefs, and 19 others
were constructed in association with public conservation
and private groups. In working with one of these groups,
LDWF constructed eight reefs using reef balls. Reef balls
have been deployed successfully in tropical and oceanic
environments, but this was the rst attempt to deploy in
an estuarine setting.
AQUATIC PLANT RESEARCH &
CONTROL PROGRAM
Our natural resources are constantly under attack from
invasive species posing a threat to healthy habitats and
access opportunities for the beneciaries. Programs driven
by AOO are designed to regulate and control threats from
invasive species.
The agship of these initiatives is our nuisance aquatic
vegetation control program, which strives to provide the
public with safe and usable shing and boating access.
Left unchecked, invasive plants such as giant salvinia and
water hyacinth would choke the state's abundant fresh-
water lakes making them inaccessible and threatening the
natural habitat of our valuable aquatic species. Through
an aggressive aquatic plant control program, LDWF
utilizes a variety of management options including herbi-
cides, drawdowns and biological controls.
During scal year 2009-2010, the Aquatic Plant Research
and Control Program provided substantial benets to the
citizens of Louisiana. Responsibilities included moni-
toring water bodies for non-native and invasive aquatic
vegetation, providing technical assistance, and continually
investigating more effective and environmentally safe
methods of controlling these nuisance plants. Aggres-
sive treatment of affected waters continued in an effort
to restore and improve the aquatic habitat and the natural
balance of plants and sh. Control of nuisance plant spe-
cies is also necessary to provide boating access to many
public waterways.
To prevent habitat degradation from exotic aquatic veg-
etation and to maintain angler and boater usage through-
out the state, aquatic herbicides are used to treat nearly a
third of the state's shable waters annually. LDWF crews
throughout the state treated 146 water bodies during scal
year 2009-2010.
A total of 73,970 acres were treated throughout the state.
Of that total, 118 acres were sprayed below the saltwater
line.
Biologists continue to provide advice and technical as-
sistance to private and municipal pond owners concerning
aquatic vegetation management issues. This popular ex-
tension program also provides aquatic plant identication
assistance for the public upon request.
Research projects of the Aquatic Plant Research and
Control Program include an evaluation of new herbicides
to determine their effectiveness for use in aquatic weed
control.
LDWF utilized conservation funds and federal funds
to control water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with
the herbicides 2, 4-D and glyphosate. However, in the
course of treating water hyacinth, emergent plants such
as alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), primrose
(Ludwigia spp.), American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and
several others of minor importance were also sprayed.
Some aquatic weeds, such as hydrilla (Hydrilla verticil-
lata) and two species of salvinia (Salvinia minima and S.
molesta), required more expensive herbicides. Hydrilla
was controlled with both pellet and liquid formulations of
uridone. Salvinia was treated with a mix of diquat and
glyphosate and a new herbicide called penoxsulam. State
funds in the Aquatic Plant Control Fund were used to
purchase herbicides to address infestations of these plants.
Statewide, giant salvinia is now present in many public
waterways that are heavily timbered and difcult to ac-
cess. Spray crews spent a great deal of time searching for
and treating these troublesome infestations.
Fifteen percent of the Aquatic Plant Control Fund was
used to fund research into aquatic plant control by the
LSU AgCenter. LSU continued its research into biological
control of salvinia using the salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous
salviniae). Research efforts are currently focused on rear-
ing a sufcient number of weevils to release on infesta-
tions of salvinia. Biological control of giant salvinia using
the salvinia weevil is recognized as the leading and most
often used control strategy throughout the world due to
its highly effective nature. In 2009-2010, six new weevil
nursery ponds were established in Lafourche, Terrebonne,
St. Charles and Natchitoches parishes. Several of these
ponds are expected to have high enough weevil densi-
ties in 2011 to establish new populations in public water
bodies across the state that are plagued with giant salvinia
infestations.
In addition to use of herbicides, certain nuisance aquatic
plants can be controlled by manipulating water levels
(drawdowns). Twelve lakes were drawn down during s-
cal year 2009-20010 for aquatic plant control.
As part of the aquatic habitat management program,
crews throughout the state cut and removed logs and trees
that had fallen into waterways and obstructed navigation.
A total of 63 water bodies were cleared of logs and trees
throughout the year, taking 381 man-hours of work.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
83
PUBLIC BOATING & FISHING
ACCESS
AAO also creates, enhances and restores our state's inven-
tory of public boating and shing access sites. Access
sites, such as marinas, boat launches and shing piers,
serve as doorways to our state's natural resources. In a
cooperative effort, LDWF assists local government enti-
ties requesting nancial assistance in the development and
construction of boating and shing access facilities. To
accomplish this, LDWF obligates a portion of its federal
funding and Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) funds to match
up to 75 percent of the total costs of these projects. This
program funds both freshwater and saltwater projects,
including the construction of boat ramps, parking ar-
eas, docks, bulk heading and shing piers. A total of 82
projects are complete to date and another 15 are in various
stages of either planning or construction.
Tax revenues from these sites provide economic benet to
the state from consumer use by owners and recreational
users. Not strictly limited to site selection and construc-
tion oversight duties, the Ofce of Fisheries also works
in concert with local municipalities, media channels and
landowners in the marketing and promotion of the sites.
Issues related to past hurricanes continue to adversely
affect progress on boat ramp construction. Some of the
issues that local and state government sponsors are facing
include priority spending and higher construction costs.
• Abbeville Public Boat Launch
• Reserve Boat Launch, Phase II
• Reserve Boat Launch, Phase III
• Golden Meadow Public Boat Launch
• Burns Point Park Boat Launch
• Jessie Fontenot Boat Launch, Phase III
• North Pass
• Bayou Macon
• Tensas Basin
• Baker's Cut-Off
• Gateway Landing, Washington
• Leonville Boat Launch
• Empire Marina
• Lake Claiborne Boat Lane Marking
• New Iberia Ship Wreck (BIG-P)
• South Houma Fire Station Boat Launch
• Texas Gulf Road Boat Launch
• Venice Marina
OUTREACH
Through outreach efforts, LDWF advises beneciaries on
stewardship and best practices in preserving the unique
nature of the state's natural resources. Via a strong pres-
ence at youth recreational events, industry-related expos
and other state sponsored events, the department strives
to align its efforts with the desires of citizens and foster a
community sense of resource and habitat stewardship.
The Aquatic Outreach Program (F-136-EO) is designed
to inform the public about the SFR, as it is a vital fund-
ing source for aquatic access, resource enhancement and
management projects in Louisiana. LDWF participated in
16 public events throughout the year to inform attendees
of the department's various SFR projects and the impor-
tance of purchasing a shing license. An assortment of
printed materials were distributed at these events, as well
as a SFR brochure, designed specically to highlight the
funding cycle and projects SFR funding supports.
In addition to increased participation in public events, the
Fisheries Research Laboratory personnel provide samples
and use of educational facilities for the outreach staff.
Lab personnel participated in the WETSHOP program,
a "hands-on" environmental program for teachers, and
assisted the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sci-
ences with their summer educational program. The new
Grand Isle Fisheries Research Laboratory has a class-
room and lab space for instruction and hands-on learning.
School and community groups have access to the lab for
various educational opportunities.
Throughout the year, various media outlets covered Fish-
eries outreach events, including both print and broadcast.
Groundwork for new print materials was completed dur-
ing this timeframe and is scheduled to be completed in
scal year 2010-2011.
Through participation in outreach events and distribution
educational materials, the Aquatic Outreach Program mes-
sage reached over 20,000 Louisiana citizens.
84
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
HABITAT
STEWARDSHIP &
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
Sustainable and abundant shery resources in Louisiana,
the "Sportsman's Paradise," are the key function of the
Ofce of Fisheries. Louisiana's shery resources, includ-
ing habitat, benet all constituent groups (commercial and
recreational users and visitors) in Louisiana, across the
Gulf Coast and throughout the nation. The Louisiana Con-
stitution of 1974 provides the framework to protect and
enhance habitat, and to ensure sustainable commercial
and recreational sheries. Fisheries collects the basic eco-
logical data needed to efciently and effectively mange
sheries resources to benet constituent groups. Habitat
stewardship and resource management provide opportuni-
ties for the public to access these natural resources.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
The Habitat Management Program's purpose is participa-
tion in federal, state and local planning and permitting ef-
forts to help conserve, protect and enhance healthy, viable
habitat for sheries resources. Program activities include:
• Review and comment of coastal use permits and con-
sistency applications within the coastal zone.
• Oversight of all permitted activities within the state's
public oyster grounds.
• Planning and comment activities associated with the
state's coastal restoration activities and with large
civil works projects such as hurricane protection
levee systems and creation of reservoirs.
• Participation in the interagency advisory panels for
the state's two freshwater diversion structures.
• Response and damage assessment activities result-
ing from unpermitted discharges of oil or hazardous
material.
• Regulation of seismic exploration activities.
In 2009, Fisheries reviewed approximately 176 new
coastal use permit applications (along with assessments
and waivers) within the public oyster seed grounds
and approximately 100 habitat projects, for a total of
approximately 276 projects. Fisheries staff collected
$1,248,671.58 in compensation for impacts to the public
oyster seed grounds.
In 2009, the Research and Assessment Section contin-
ued to work with state and federal agencies to develop
strategies for slowing the rate of coastal wetlands loss
in Louisiana. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
2005, the state of Louisiana embarked on a joint coastal
planning process that included both hurricane protection
and coastal wetlands restoration. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) received funding through a series of
supplemental appropriations to provide "100 year-level
ood protection" in the New Orleans vicinity. USACE
put forward individual environmental reports in lieu of
Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact
Statements to support this goal. Section staff worked to
coordinate and review these hurricane reaches and under-
stand their impacts on estuarine and coastal environments.
In addition, there were a number of coastal restoration
projects moving through the formulation and development
process. They include:
• Mississippi Gulf River Outlet restoration and the
Violet Diversion studies.
• Reauthorization studies of the Caernarvon and Davis
Pond Freshwater Diversion projects.
• The Morganza to the Gulf hurricane protection levee.
• Deepening of the Houma Navigation Canal.
• Donaldsonville to the Gulf hurricane protection levee.
• Planning for the Port of Iberia Channel Deepening
Project.
• The Southwest Louisiana Coastal Plan.
• The Calcasieu Dredged Material Management Plan.
• The Sabine-Neches Waterway Plan.
Section staff also participated in evaluation of 10 Coastal
Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
projects for priority lists 18 and 19. Up to four of the 10
projects may be funded annually for engineering and
development activities.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
85
Extensive sheries resource monitoring programs contin-
ued for both the Caernarvon and Davis Pond freshwater
diversion projects. The Caernarvon Project has been
operational for 18 years, and LDWF personnel have
monitored its effects on the sh, wildlife and vegetation
populations in the basin throughout its operation. The
Davis Pond Project came on-line in July 2002. Ongoing
maintenance designed to address problems with ooding
in the ponding area north of Lake Cataouatche continued
to limit the amount of freshwater diverted through the
Davis Pond structure. Research and Development Section
staff provides input into the operation of both structures.
LDWF's Oil Spill Task Force continued in 2009 to
develop and implement plans to protect and restore the
state's wildlife, shery and habitat resources from the
adverse effects of oil spills. During scal year 2009-2010,
state and federal trustees worked on approximately 20
ongoing oil spill assessment/restoration plans. In addition,
the trustees continued to work on developing a way to
estimate amounts and impacts of oil spilled as a result of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
LDWF participates with other state and federal agencies
in planning restoration of hazardous materials sites. Two
planning activities continued in 2009:
1. Bayou Trepagnier in St. Charles Parish.
2. Calcasieu River in Calcasieu Parish.
LDWF also evaluated and responded as needed to approx-
imately 3,000 oil spill notications, which were received
from Louisiana State Police. These notications covered a
range of hazardous emissions and chemical spills, as well
as oil spill-related incidents.
The LDWF Seismic Section was created in 1939 speci-
cally to protect oysters, sh, shrimp and other wildlife
from the effects of seismic exploration. Seismic explora-
tion uses energy waves to generate a prole of sub-surface
reective layers that help dene potential oil and gas
traps. The energy waves can be produced by explosives
detonated below the ground, by air guns that emit a pow-
erful burst of air just above the surface, or by large vibrat-
ing pads placed on the surface. These projects can occur
in sensitive wetlands, water bodies and uplands. Seismic
agents monitor geophysical companies to protect Louisi-
ana's sh and wildlife resources by ensuring compliance
with LDWF seismic rules and regulations. During 2009,
the Seismic Section monitored 24 projects throughout the
state.
LAKE MANAGEMENT
In scal year 2009-2010, district sheries managers
estimated relative abundance, size class structure and spe-
cies composition of sh populations and physiochemical
characteristics of the water in some 90 to 100 lakes, rivers
and streams. All lakes are sampled in a similar manner so
that data from different water bodies are comparable from
year to year.
Electroshing sampling is conducted in both spring and
fall to provide a measure of population including abun-
dance, size distribution, age structure and genetic compo-
sition. Sampling includes only largemouth bass in the fall;
crappies are included in the spring. A forage sample of
all species is also collected in the fall. Sampling sites are
predetermined and selected to represent available aquatic
habitats within the water body. Sampling protocol is stan-
dardized to the extent possible to allow for comparison of
data over time.
Gill net samples are taken during winter, primarily to
determine relative abundance and length frequencies of
gizzard shad, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and com-
mercial and rough sh species. Monolament nets with
mesh sizes from 2.5 to 4 inches (bar mesh) are set at dusk
and gathered at sunrise. Each sh taken is identied,
weighed and measured. This sampling method provides
gear selectivity, species composition and length frequency
information. Nighttime shoreline seine sampling measures
reproductive success of the sunshes including bass and
bluegill. Year-class strength, species composition and prey
availability are provided by this sampling effort. Sam-
pling is conducted during spring and summer and consists
of one quadrant haul at each sample site using a 25 by 6
foot seine.
Lead nets are used to measure relative abundance and
length-frequencies of crappie and other sunsh. Species
composition, growth rate and length-weight relationships
are determined. Sampling is conducted at pre-determined
sites for a minimum of 48 hours each, with two nets at
each station.
Water quality samples are taken at all sampling stations.
Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration,
conductivity, oxidation/reduction potential and water
depth are measured.
Creel samples were conducted on six water bodies in
2010. This sampling method puts the sheries manager
in direct contact with shermen. Information collected
includes species sought and species caught, distance
traveled, time shed, number caught and released, and a
measurement of all sh harvested.
In addition, inland biologists continued a statewide proj-
ect to determine growth and mortality rates of largemouth
bass and crappie populations. Largemouth bass samples
were collected from 12 lakes, while crappies were col-
lected from 25 lakes in throughout the year. The extensive
data collected isused in consideration of existing and
proposed harvest regulations.
• Toledo Bend
• DeSiard Bayou
86
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
• Iatt Lake
• False River
• Big Mar – Caernarvon
• Atchafalaya Basin
• Bundick Lake
• Vernon Lake
SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
The Ofce of Fisheries also monitors other sh species,
including paddlesh and sturgeon. Biologists continue
to collect data on relative abundance, habitat require-
ments, movements and population estimate, and spawning
studies. The 2010 season marks the last regular season
sampling for river sturgeon from the Old River Control
Complex by the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery and
by LDWF.
There were three main objectives for sturgeon sampling
at the Old River Control Complex during the 2009-2010
season:
1. Training LDWF and other biologists in the eld iden-
tication, care and data collection for river sturgeon
wherever they may be encountered in sampling large
rivers of Louisiana.
2. Implanting more pallid sturgeon with ultrasonic
transmitters for the on-going sturgeon telemetry study
in the Old River Control Complex area and down-
stream toward the Gulf of Mexico.
3. Collecting blood samples from 15 sturgeon (ve from
each of PLS, PXH and HSN) for the ongoing DNA
content study to determine river sturgeon taxonomic
identication.
Secondary objectives included the taking of n clips for
genetic analysis, taking morphometric measurements for
sturgeon taxonomic identication, documentation with
sturgeon head photos, tagging sturgeon with PIT and Floy
tags, and checking for any recaptured sturgeon.
Overall, 112 river sturgeon – pallid S. albus (PLS),
shovelnose S. platorynchus (HSN) and morphologically
intermediate forms (PXH) – were captured by using gill
nets or by trotlines. A total of 10 pallid sturgeons were im-
planted with ultrasonic transmitters this season. Approxi-
mately 10 satellite receiver stations have been established
along reaches of the Mississippi River to monitor move-
ment of pallid sturgeon.
Paddlesh fry are still produced annually at Booker Fowl-
er Fish Hatchery for the "Native Fishes in the Classroom
Program," where students learn the early development
and life history of this ancient river sh in their classroom
each spring. Approximately 30 teachers participated in the
statewide program during scal year 2009-2010.
PONDS & FISH DISEASE
MANAGEMENT
Giving technical advice to owners of ponds and small
lakes is also a responsibility of the Ofce of Fisheries.
During scal year 2009-2010, biologists made site visits,
assisting residents of the state on problems ranging from
construction and stocking requirements, to harvest and
disease information. Biologists also answered over 2,500
phone inquiries regarding various pond-related issues.
The Louisiana Cooperative Fish Disease Project, which
the division heads along with the LSU Animal Diagnostic
Lab within the School of Veterinary Medicine, provides
support to private pond owners. From June 1, 2009 to
June 30, 2010, a total of 134 cases were submitted to
the LSU Aquatic Diagnostic Lab. Of this total, 65 were
submitted under the Louisiana Cooperative Fish Dis-
ease Project. Ten of these cases involved sport sh from
private recreational shing ponds, one involved sh from
state lakes or hatcheries, eight involved marine recre-
ational or commercial species, and 46 involved sh from
various state research projects. The remaining cases were
from ornamental and aquarium sh, sh for inspection/
certication prior to shipment from commercial sources,
bacterial identication for other labs, bioassay testing
labs, and commercial food sh operations.
Fisheries is also responsible for conducting investiga-
tions into sh kills in freshwater. Area impact and losses
are recorded for each kill. Naturally occurring dissolved
oxygen depletion, as well as saltwater intrusion, was
indicated as the cause of most kills. Disease pathogens are
sometimes responsible for sh kills in freshwater. LDWF
personnel began working with the Louisiana Department
of Agriculture and Forestry to sample sh stocks for de-
tection of Viral hemorrhagic septicemia in wild and farm
raised sh stocks. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia most
often infects sh stocks during winter months. Continued
investigations into the largemouth bass virus problem
were also conducted. Inland sheries personnel investi-
gated approximately 35 sh kills throughout the state in
2009-2010. Most were the result of naturally occurring
low dissolved oxygen situations.
In the scal year 2009-2010, Fisheries collaborated with
state and federal agencies to conduct sampling for an
"Ecological Assessment of the Mississippi River in Loui-
siana." The goal of the cooperative effort was to improve
the science of the Mississippi River in Louisiana to sup-
port river assessment and management by the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality and other state
management agencies.
In cooperation with the Louisiana Deaprtment of Envi-
ronmental Quality, the Department of Health and Hos-
pitals, and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and
Forestry, Fisheries developed a protocol for issuing public
health advisories for chemical contaminants in recreation-
ally caught sh and shellsh.
Biologists continued to work through the Atchafalaya
Basin Technical Group in the consideration of proposed
projects in the development of the Atchafalaya Basin An-
nual Plan. The Louisiana Legislature approved $3.5 mil-
lion in state funding for water quality/water management,
access and habitat restoration projects identied in scal
year 2009-2010 Atchafalaya Basin Program Annual Plan,
the rst since adoption of Act 606. In 2009-2010, the
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
87
legislature also continued involvement with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process for
the Toledo Bend Hydroelectric Project located in Desoto,
Sabine and Vernon parishes. LDWF and other regulatory
agencies formed an Aquatic Resources Working Group
to help develop and guide the sheries studies needed to
assess project impacts.
SHELLFISH, MOLLUSK & FINFISH
MANAGEMENT
Fisheries Management Programs include shellsh, mol-
lusk and nsh management. In addition to headquarter
operations, the Ofce of Fisheries' responsibilities are
conducted throughout LDWF's seven coastal study areas.
The Ofce of Fisheries continued its long-term trawl
sampling program throughout coastal Louisiana. Fisher-
ies biologists collected 574 6-foot trawl and 1,852 16-foot
trawl samples from both inshore and offshore waters
in each of seven coastal study areas. Data from these
samples were used to recommend season frameworks for
both the fall and spring inshore shrimp seasons and winter
territorial sea shrimp seasons. In addition, these same data
were used to recommend season extensions and special
seasons and provide recruitment indices for Gulf menha-
den and blue crabs.
The shrimp shery is Louisiana's most valuable com-
mercial shery. Louisiana continues to lead the nation in
shrimp landings. Louisiana's shrimp landings in 2009 to-
taled approximately 70.6 million pounds (all species com-
bined/heads-off weight) and accounted for $117.2 million
in dockside sales. Brown shrimp landings comprised
approximately 29 percent of 2009 landings and have con-
tinued to decline over the past six years, measuring 17.3
million pounds below the long-term mean (1976-2009).
Conversely, white shrimp landings over the past six years
continued to exceed the long-term mean, and landings in
2009 measured nearly 48.4 million pounds, an increase of
7.5 million pounds from the previous year. White shrimp
landings in 2009 measured 17.6 million pounds above the
long-term mean.
Due to signicant differences in patterns of shrimp re-
cruitment, growth and immigration between geographic
areas, the Louisiana coast has been divided into three
Shrimp Management Zones to better manage the resource
(Figure 2). Shrimp management recommendations are
listed below by zone.
Based upon analysis of historic data as well as data
generated from biological sampling conducted by LDWF,
the following management practices were implemented
during the report period: sample data were used to set the
opening and closing dates of the 2009 and 2010 spring in-
shore shrimp seasons, set opening and closing dates of the
2009 fall inshore shrimp season, extend inshore seasons
in portions of inside waters, and close and then reopen to
shrimping portions of Louisiana outside territorial waters.
2009 - Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 7:30 a.m. on May 18, 2009, except
for the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur
sounds as described by the "double-rig line" in LA
R.S.56:495.1(A)2, which opened at 7:30 a.m. on May
11, 2009.
• Closed June 30, 2009 at 6:00 a.m., except for the
following:
• Lake Pontchartrain, Rigoletes Pass from the
mouth of Lake Pontchartrain extending eastward
to the western side of the CSX Railway Bridge.
• Chef Menteur Pass from the mouth of Lake Pon-
tchartrain southeasterly to the mouth of Lake Bor-
gne, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO)
beginning at its juncture with the Industrial Canal.
: Mississippi-Louisiana state line to the eastern shore of South
Pass of the Mississippi River.
: Eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River to the
western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island.
: Western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh
Island to the Louisiana-Texas state line.
Figure 2. Louisiana Shrimp Management Zones
Figure 1. Marine Fisheries Section Coastal Study Areas
88
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
• That portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a
point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Bound-
ary at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds
north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00
seconds west; thence southeasterly to a point at
latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 12 seconds north
and longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds
west; thence northeasterly to the most easterly
point on Isle Au Pitre at latitude 30 degrees 09
minutes 20.5 seconds north and longitude 89
degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west, which is
a point on the double-rig line as described in LA
R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly along the
double-rig line to a point on the Louisiana-Missis-
sippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 12
minutes 37.9056 seconds north and longitude 89
degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds west; thence
westerly along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral
Boundary to the point of beginning.
• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur
Sounds as described by the "double-rig line."
• Closed July 11, 2009 at 6 a.m., except for the follow-
ing:
• That portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a
point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Bound-
ary at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds
north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00
seconds west; thence southeasterly to a point at
latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 12 seconds north
and longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds
west; thence northeasterly to the most easterly
point on Isle Au Pitre at latitude 30 degrees 09
minutes 20.5 seconds north and longitude 89
degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west, which is
a point on the double-rig line as described in LA
R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly along the
double-rig line to a point on the Louisiana-Missis-
sippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 12
minutes 37.9056 seconds north and longitude 89
degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds west; thence
westerly along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral
Boundary to the point of beginning.
• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds
as described by the double-rig line.
• The open waters of Mississippi, Breton and Chan-
deleur sounds remained open to shrimping until
6:00 a.m. March 31, 2010.
2009- Fall Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2009.
• Closed Dec. 22, 2009, at ofcial sunset except for
that portion of Zone 1 extending north of the south
shore of the MRGO, including Lake Pontchartrain
and Lake Borgne and the open waters of Breton and
Chandeleur sounds as described by the "double-rig
line."
• Closed Jan. 14, 2010 at ofcial sunset except for the
open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds as
described by the "double-rig line."
• Breton and Chandeleur sounds remained open to
shrimping until 6:00 a.m. March 31, 2010.
2010 - Special Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. April 28, 2010 in the open wa-
ters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds as described by
the double-rig line in LA R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. April 29, 2010 in the remainder
of Zone 1 except those waters south of 29 degrees 30
minutes north latitude.
• Closed at 6:00 a.m. April 30, 2010 south of the south-
ern shore of the MRGO.
• Closed at 6:00 p.m. May 4, 2010 in the remainder of
Zone 1 including all state outside territorial waters
seaward of the inside/outside shrimp line form the
Mississippi/Louisiana state line to the western shore
of South Pass at the Mississippi River at 89 degrees
08 minutes 42 seconds west longitude.
2010 - Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. May 31, 2010, except for the
following:
• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur sounds
as described by the "double-rig line."
• Those waters extending north of Martin Island at
29 degrees 57 minutes 29.6 seconds north latitude;
thence northward to isle au Pitre at 30 degrees
09 minutes 20.5 seconds north latitude from the
double-rig line westward to 89 degrees 17 minutes
10 seconds west longitude.
• Those waters south and east of Baptiste Collete
Bayou
• State outside waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the eastern shore of South Pass
of the Mississippi River eastward to the Missis-
sippi/Louisiana state line.
• Closed at 6:00 a.m. July 20, 2010, except for the fol-
lowing:
• Lake Pontchartrain, including Rigoletes Pass
from the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain extending
eastward to the western side of the CSX Railway
Bridge.
• Chef Menteur Pass from the mouth of Lake
Pontchartrain southeasterly to the mouth of Lake
Borgne.
• That portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a
point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Bound-
ary at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds
north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0
seconds west; thence due south to a point at
latitude 30 degrees 05 minutes 00.0 seconds north
and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 sec-
onds west; thence southeasterly to a point on the
western shore of Three-Mile Pass at latitude 30
degrees 03 minutes 00.0 seconds north and lon-
gitude 89 degrees 22 minutes 23.0 seconds west;
thence northeasterly to a point on Isle Au Pitre at
latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north
and longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds
west, which is a point on the double-rig line as de-
scribed in LA R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly
along the double-rig line to a point on the Loui-
siana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30
degrees 12 minutes 37.9056 seconds north and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
89
longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds
west; thence westerly along the Louisiana-Missis-
sippi Lateral Boundary to the point of beginning.
• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur
sounds as described by the "double-rig line."
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the eastern shore of Freshwater Bayou
Canal at 92 degrees 18 minutes 33 seconds west longitude
to the U.S. Coast Guard navigational light off the north-
west shore of Caillou Boca at 29 degrees 03 minutes 10
seconds north latitude and 90 degrees 50 minutes 27 sec-
onds west longitude were closed to shrimping at ofcial
sunset on Dec. 22, 2009.
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line and east of the Atchafalaya River Ship Chan-
nel at Eugene Island as delineated by the river channel red
buoy line to the U.S. Coast Guard navigational light off
the northwest shore of Caillou Boca at 29 degrees 03 min-
utes 10 seconds north latitude and 90 degrees 50 minutes
27 seconds west longitude reopened to shrimping at 6:00
a.m. April 21, 2010.
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel
westward to Freshwater Bayou Canal opened at noon,
April 29, 2010.
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the western shore of South Pass of the
Mississippi River at 89 degrees 08 minutes 42 seconds
west longitude westward to the eastern shore of Quatre
Bayou Pass at 89 degrees 50 minutes 32.5 seconds west
longitude were closed to shrimping at 6:00 p.m. May 6,
2010.
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the western shore of Quatre Bayou Pass
at 89 degrees 50 minutes 32.5 seconds west longitude
westward to Freshwater Bayou Canal at 92 degrees 18
minutes 33 seconds west longitude were closed to shrimp-
ing at 6:00 p.m. May 8, 2010.
Offshore territorial waters seaward of the inside/outside
shrimp line from the Mississippi River westward to the
eastern portion of Atchafalaya Bay at Pointe au Fer Island
at 91 degrees 20 minutes 44 seconds west longitude re-
opened to shrimping at noon May 10, 2010.
2009 - Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 7:30 a.m. on May 11, 2009
• Closed at 6:00 a.m. on June 22, 2009
2009 - Fall Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2009
• Closed at ofcial sunset on Dec. 22, 2009
2010 – Special Shrimp Season
• Opened at noon April 29, 2010
• Closed at 6:00 p.m. May 4, 2010
2010 – Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. on May 10, 2010
• Closed at 6:00 p.m. on July 5, 2010
2009 - Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 7:30 am on May 25, 2009
• Closed at 6:00 a.m. on July 11, 2009
2009 - Fall Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2009
• Closed at ofcial sunset on Dec. 22, 2009
2010 - Spring Inshore Shrimp Season
• Opened at 6:00 a.m. on May 8, 2010.
• Closed at 6:00 a.m. on July 20, 2010, except for the
following:
• That portion of the Calcasieu Ship channel
originating at a line between Channel Markers 85
Figure 3. Louisiana Commercial Shrimp Landings
Figure 4. Louisiana Monthly Shrimp Landings by Species
90
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
and 86 southward to a point originating along the
inside/outside shrimp line at Calcasieu Pass and
including East Pass from its origin at the Calca-
sieu Ship Channel to the south end of Calcasieu
lake and West Pass from its origin at the Calcasieu
Ship Channel to the south end of West Cove.
• That portion of Cameron Parish west of Calcasieu
Lake.
Commercial shrimp landings since 1976 have ranged
from a high of 93.7 million pounds (heads-off weight/
all species combined) reported in 1986 to 49.4 million
pounds landed in 1983 (Figure 3). Brown shrimp landings
in 2009 were greatest during May, June and July, while
white shrimp production peaked in October at nearly 8
million pounds. Seabob landings were highest during late
fall and early winter (Figure 4).
The Ofce of Fisheries has also continued the administra-
tion of a $148,298 federal grant (Inter-jurisdictional As-
sessment and Management of Louisiana Coastal Fisheries
-NOAA/Department of Conservation Award No. NA07N-
MF4070050). The objective of the Inter-jurisdictional
Fisheries Project is to maintain a coast-wide monitoring
program for parameters relevant to important sher-
ies resources, including both population dynamics and
associated hydrological and environmental parameters,
and to use information gathered to make rational manage-
ment decisions. Technical, biological and hydrological
data gathered from the monitoring program were utilized
in establishing seasonal frameworks within the shrimp
and oyster sheries, predicting annual gulf menhaden
(Brevoortia patronus) abundance, and providing data for
the management of groundshes and blue crabs (Cal-
linectes sapidus). These data have provided estimates of
size, density and growth of juvenile penaeid shrimp on the
nursery grounds and staging areas, movement of sub-adult
shrimp from the nursery grounds to staging areas, and the
abilities to correlate juvenile shrimp response and subse-
quent production to hydrologic conditions. Data collected
from the monitoring program were crucial in establish-
ing opening and closing dates for shrimp seasons within
Louisiana inside and outside territorial waters during the
scal year. Hydrological and biological data collected
on oyster recruitment (spat set) and oyster density and
availability estimates were used in formulating manage-
ment recommendations regarding the oyster season on
the public oyster seed grounds and seed reservations.
Harvest estimates were determined from boarding report
surveys of boats shing the public seed grounds and seed
reservations. These data were compared with annual stock
availabilities and previous production estimates calculated
during the scal year.
Louisiana commercial blue crab landings for 2009 totalled
approximately 52.5 million pounds and had a dockside
value of approximately $37.2 million. Blue crab landings
in 2009 represent an approximate 20 percent increase
from 2008 landings of approximately 41.7 million pounds
(Figure 5). A major issue in the shery remains the
low prices associated with increased foreign imports of
cheaply priced fresh and frozen crabmeat. In cooperation
with the Louisiana Crab Task Force and the Louisiana
Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, LDWF has
initiated processes to have the blue crab shery certied
as a sustainable shery through the Marine Steward-
ship Council (MSC). Certication of the shery has the
potential to expand Louisiana blue crab products into new
markets and increase value.
Stone crab landings for 2009 were 1,721 pounds valued
at $4,647 dockside. The stone crab shery in Louisiana is
not a directed shery and stone crabs are primarily taken
as incidental bycatch within the blue crab shery. Varia-
tions in annual stone crab landings are primarily due to
salinity levels with higher abundance associated with dry
years and higher salinities.
The major department activity related to blue crabs in
2009-2010 was the removal of derelict crab traps from
coastal waters under the Derelict Crab Trap Removal
Program. Legislation introduced by LDWF in 2003 gave
the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission the authority to
establish a derelict crab trap removal program.
Funding for the 2010 crab trap clean up came from
increases in recreational and commercial crab trap gear
license fees statutorily dedicated to support the abandoned
crab trap removal program. One winter trap closure and
clean-up in portions of the Barataria Bay and Estuary was
conducted in 2010.
The following portion of the Barataria Bay Estuary within
that portion of Lafourche, Jefferson and Plaquemines
parishes was closed to the use of crab traps over a 10-day
period extending from 6:00 a.m. Feb. 27, 2010 through
6:00 a.m. March 8, 2010.
• From a point originating from the intersection of the
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the northern shore-
Figure 5. Louisiana Commercial Blue Crab Landings
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
91
line of Hero Canal; thence due north to a point along
the northern shoreline of the Gulf Intracoastal Water-
way; thence southward and then westward along the
northern shoreline of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
to a point opposite the western shoreline of Bayou
Perot; thence due south to the western shoreline of
Bayou Perot; thence southward along the western
shoreline of Bayou Perot to Little Lake; thence
southward along the western shoreline of Little Lake
to 29 degrees, 30 minutes, 00 seconds north latitude;
thence eastward along 29 degrees, 30 minutes, 00
seconds north latitude to the eastern shoreline of
Wilkinson Canal; thence northward along the eastern
shoreline of Wilkinson Canal to its termination;
thence due north to the western shore of the Missis-
sippi River; thence northwestward along the western
shore of the Mississippi River to a point due east
of the northern shoreline of Hero Canal; thence due
west to the northern shoreline of Hero Canal; thence
westward along the northern shoreline of Hero Canal
and terminating at its intersection with the Gulf Intra-
coastal Waterway.
A total of 477 abandoned crab traps were collected during
the closure and clean-up in scal year 2009-2010. Six
years of trap closures and trap cleanups have taken place
under Louisiana's Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program.
The number of retrieved crab traps can best evaluate the
success of the program, although volunteer participation
should also be considered. A total of 18,449 derelict crab
traps have been removed from Louisiana through the pro-
gram; however, volunteer effort has declined through the
years resulting in only a single volunteer and no volunteer
boats participating in the 2010 program.
The Louisiana Crab Task Force has continued to meet and
address issues that confront the industry. Legislation sup-
ported by the task force and approved during the spring
2010 Louisiana Legislative Session now allows commer-
cial shermen to possess any nsh caught in crab traps
up to the commercial possession limit allowable for such
nsh. The Crab Task Force also continues discussions on
a variety of topics such as certication of the Louisiana
blue crab shery under the MSC, effects of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill on the crab resource, sheries disaster
assistance, crab bait availability, impacts of crabmeat
imports, and legislation impacting the crab industry.
With assistance from LDWF, the Crab Task Force hosted
a "Crab Education Day" for members of the House Natu-
ral Resources and Environment Committee and the Senate
Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 9, 2010. Committee
members and staff were provided information on the blue
crab shery, challenges facing the industry, the role of
the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board,
and how the shery is managed and regulated by LDWF.
Members and staff boarded boats and observed how
crab traps are set and retrieved, toured a crab processing
facility, viewed crabs being graded for the live market
and crabmeat processing, and toured a soft shell shedding
facility.
In recent years, Louisiana saltwater anglers have shown
increasing interest and demand for live bait, and the live
bait shery has grown to become an important industry
in Louisiana. During the 2009 permit period, bait deal-
ers reported sales of approximately 322,000 live croaker
(Micropogonias undulatus) and two million live shrimp
(Farfantepenaeus aztecus and Litopenaeus setiferus) with
an estimated retail value of approximately $479,000. Bait
dealers in Jefferson Parish led all others in sales of live
croaker and the number of bait trips reported, while those
in St. Bernard Parish sold the most live shrimp. In January
2010, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
ratied a nal rule which allows for the harvest and sale
of live bait shrimp and live to the shing public during
closed shrimp season beginning May 1 of each year until
the opening of the spring inshore shrimp season in addi-
tion to between the spring and fall shrimp seasons.
A total of 43 special bait dealer permits were issued to li-
censed wholesale/retail seafood dealers for the sale of live
bait shrimp during 2009. Although the number of permit-
ted dealers remain unchanged from the previous year, the
number of live shrimp and live croaker harvested during
the 2009 permit period represents an increase of approxi-
mately 23 percent from levels reported last year.
The Mollusk Program is responsible for the oyster re-
source on nearly 1.7 million acres of public oyster seed
2004 6,894 90+
2005 4,623 51+
2006 2,935 31
2007 1,498 14
2008 1,234 3
2009 788 0
2004-2010 18,449 191+
tabLe 1. Derelict Crab Trap Program
*Public volunteers only
Figure 6. Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program
92
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
reservations, public seed grounds and public oyster areas.
Seed grounds are designated by the Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission and include a large continuous area east of
the Mississippi River, as well as areas of the Vermilion/
Cote Blanche/Atchafalaya Bay system. Seed reservations
and the public oyster areas of Calcasieu and Sabine lakes
are designated by the legislature. LDWF manages four
seed reservations, including one east of the Mississippi
River (Bay Gardene), one in the Barataria Bay system
(Hackberry Bay), and two in Terrebonne Parish (Sister
Lake and Bay Junop).
Commercial oyster harvest in Louisiana is typically ac-
complished using large dredges (no greater than 6 feet
wide) pulled behind oyster vessels called "luggers."
Most of the commercial harvest from public oyster seed
grounds occurs on the public grounds east of the Mis-
sissippi River in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.
Seed grounds and reservations are managed with the
goal of providing seed oysters for transplant onto private
oyster leases (Figure 7). However, two "sacking only
areas" exist east of the Mississippi River for the exclusive
harvest of sack-sized oysters;
• portions of Lake Fortuna and Lake Machias.
• American/Long Bay.
Mechanical dredge harvest in Calcasieu Lake mirrors the
dredge harvest in other parts of the state with the excep-
tion of dredge size as Calcasieu dredges are limited to 36
inches width. On occasion, however, harvest in Calcasieu
Lake is accomplished using traditional hand-tongs. Poor
water quality has prohibited harvest in Sabine Lake for
many years due to public health concerns, and all oyster
harvest in the southwest portion of Louisiana comes from
Calcasieu Lake.
These public oyster areas are utilized heavily by the
commercial oyster industry, and periodic reef rehabilita-
tion projects (cultch plants) help maintain the productiv-
ity of the public grounds. Two cultch planting projects
were planned for May 2010, but had to be cancelled due
to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The last cultch
planting projects occurred in May 2009 and were located
in Mississippi Sound (St. Bernard Parish), Black Bay
(Plaquemines Parish), Lake Chien (Terrebonne Parish),
Sister Lake (Terrebonne Parish) and Calcasieu Lake
(Cameron Parish). Cultch planting provides settlement
surfaces for the attachment of larval oysters by placing
suitable hard material, such as oyster shells, limestone or
crushed concrete, on the water bottoms (Figure 8).
Oysters provide an economic benet to the state, and the
ecological benets of oyster reefs are very important as
well. Oysters are biomonitors of the overall health of the
ecosystem and provide forage and shelter habitat for a
variety of sh and invertebrate species. Oysters also affect
water quality through lter-feeding activities, affect estua-
rine current patterns, and may provide shoreline stabiliza-
tion. Because oysters are so economically and ecologi-
cally important, wise management of the public oyster
resource is critically important to ensure that this valuable
species continues to thrive in Louisiana's coastal areas.
State laws mandate that LDWF open the oyster season
on Louisiana public seed grounds on the rst Wednesday
following Labor Day of each year and close these areas
no later than April 30 of each year. However, the Loui-
siana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is authorized
to extend the season beyond April 30 provided sufcient
stocks are available for harvest. The Secretary of LDWF
may close seasons on an emergency basis if oyster mor-
tality occurs, or delay the season or close areas where
signicant spat catch has occurred with good probability
of survival, or if excessive amounts of shell in seed oyster
loads occur. Management practices often use rotational
openings of the four Oyster Seed Reservations in alternat-
ing years. A law change during the 2008 Louisiana Leg-
islative Session requires that the public grounds only be
opened to the taking of seed oysters only between the rst
Wednesday following Labor Day and the second Monday
in October. The seed grounds can then also be opened to
Figure 7. Louisiana Oyster Leases
Figure 8. Reef building activities in Black Bay, May 2009
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
93
Figure 10. Average 1997-2009 oyster landings (all species combined, pounds
of meat).
Figure 11. Historical Louisiana oyster landings (pounds of meat) divided
between public grounds and private leases.
Figure 9. Louisiana Public Oyster Areas
the taking of market-size oysters on the second Monday
in October, as well as for harvesting seed oysters.
Management of the public oyster grounds and reserva-
tions (Figure 9) relies heavily upon data gathered through
a comprehensive biological monitoring program. This
program provides quantitative and qualitative biologi-
cal data on oyster populations and other reef-associated
animals. Approximately 350 square-meter samples are
collected each July, and nearly 700 dredge samples are
collected from March through October. Square-meter
data are collected using SCUBA and the data are used to
measure the annual oyster stock size and for yearly oyster
season recommendations by LDWF. Dredge data are used
to monitor the overall health of the oyster resource during
the year and to assess recruitment of new age classes of
oysters into the population. Field biologists also gather
hydrological data on public oyster areas and develop har-
vest and shing effort estimates by conducting boarding
report surveys of oyster boats.
Unequaled in oyster production over recent years, Louisi-
ana regularly leads the nation in the production of oysters
and accounted for an average of 34 percent of the nation's
oyster landings from 1997-2009 (Figure 10). Among Gulf
of Mexico states, Louisiana consistently ranks #1 in land-
ings accounting for over 50 percent of all oysters landed.
Oysters have been a signicant part of the Louisiana
economy for many years and routinely have a total
economic impact on the state's economy of roughly $300
million. In 2009, the dockside value of oysters was the
highest on record, totaling just under $50 million and
harvest yielded approximately 14.8 million pounds of
meat (LDWF Trip Ticket Data). This valuable resource is
harvested from a variety of locations from bays to bayous
and throughout the coast of the state. In addition, oyster
landings in Louisiana are divided between harvest from
public oyster areas and private oyster leases.
Historically, landings from private leases have comprised
60 to 80 percent of annual Louisiana oyster landings, and
in 2009 only 77 percent of all oysters harvested in Louisi-
ana came from private leases. The public oyster grounds
continue to signicantly contribute to annual statewide
oyster landings, as landings in 2009 measured nearly 3.5
million pounds of oyster meat (Figure 11). In addition,
much of the oyster production from private leases is de-
pendent upon small seed oysters (less than 3 inches) trans-
planted from the public grounds to the leases to be grown
out for ultimate harvest at a legal and marketable size.
The oyster season on the public grounds generally runs
from September to April (Table 2), but may be extended
only after approval by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisher-
ies Commission. In 2009-2010, the oyster season opened
in early September but was closed after only a short time
to protect the fall reproductive event. In addition, low
resource availability on the public oyster seed grounds
and a general trend of declining oyster resources necessi-
tated that the season not be reopened until Oct. 28, 2009.
94
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Figure 12. Annual oyster stock size on the public oyster grounds as estimated
from biological sampling.
Primary Public Oyster Seed
Grounds east of the Missisippi
River, including Lake Borgne,
and the Bay Gardene Public
Oyster Seed Reservation
Sept. 9, 2009 Sept. 23, 2009
Oct. 28, 2009 April 1, 2010
Hackberry Bay Public Oyster
Seed Reservation
Oct. 28, 2009 Nov. 4, 2009
Little Lake Public Oyster Seed
Grounds
Sept. 9, 2009 Sept. 23, 2009
Oct. 28, 2009 April 1, 2010
Barataria Bay Public Oyster
Seed Grounds
Sept. 9, 2009 Sept. 30, 2009
Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed
Reservation
Oct. 30, 2009 Nov. 12, 2009
Vermilion/East and West Cote
Blanche/Atchafalaya Bay Pub-
lic Oyster Seed Grounds
Sept. 9, 2009 Oct. 11, 2009
Oct. 12, 2009 April 30, 2010
Calcasieu Lake public oyster
area except within cultch plant
within some coordinates
Oct. 15, 2009 April 30, 2010
Deep Lake, Lake Tambour,
Lake Chien, Lake Felicity,
Lake Mechant, Bay Junop, and
Sabine Lake
season remained closed
tabLe 2. 2008-2009 Oyster season dates
Despite the shorter oyster season, it was estimated that
approximately 390,000 barrels of oysters were harvested
from the public oyster seed grounds during the 2009-2010
oyster season.
In 2009, the annual stock assessment report (July 2009)
estimated that nearly 1.2 million barrels of oysters (both
seed and sack combined) were available on the public
oyster grounds throughout the state. This represented a
signicant decrease of just over 46 percent from 2008 lev-
els (Figure 12). This decrease represented a drop in total
oyster availability of approximately 1 million barrels of
oysters over 2008 levels and the lowest statewide oyster
stock assessment since 1989. Seed stocks (oysters 1 inch
to <3 inches) dropped approximately 30 percent from
798,285 barrels in 2008 to 558,916 barrels in 2009.
Market-size oysters (≥3 inches) also suffered extensive
decreases in availability, dropping over 51 percent in 2009
as compared to 2008 levels. Although nearly 1.4 million
barrels of market-size oysters were available in 2008, lev-
els plunged to only 610,848 barrels in 2009. The primary
public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi River
showed a very slim resource entering the 2009-2010
oyster season with an estimated market-size oyster avail-
ability of only 256,547 barrels. Calcasieu Lake again held
a signicant portion of the statewide market-size oyster
stock with approximately 310,503 barrels of oysters avail-
able.
A side-scan sonar and water bottom assessment of se-
lected portions of Mississippi Sound to assist with both
shrimp and oyster management programs was completed
during scal year 2009-2010. This project was funded by
the federal Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment
Program (SEAMAP) and has provided critical habitat
mapping and bathymetry information for sheries man-
agement purposes.
Plans were developed to side-scan selected portions of the
public oyster seed grounds in the Breton Sound basin. A
contract will be executed during scal year 2010-2011 to
provide a water bottom assessment of this area via side-
scan sonar.
An Oyster Seed Ground Vessel Permit is now required
on any vessel harvesting oysters from the public oyster
seed grounds and reservations, excluding Calcasieu and
Sabine lakes. Qualifying criteria exists in order to obtain
the permit, thus establishing a limited entry program for
the public oyster seed grounds. The deadline for apply-
ing for the permit was Dec. 31, 2009. Although LDWF
Licensing issues these permits, it takes a concerted effort
of the LDWF Licensing, Legal and Marine Fisheries staff
to review and qualify vessel owners for these permits. For
those vessel owners who are denied a permit by LDWF,
a Seed Ground Vessel Permit Appeals Board exists to
hear appeals of denied permits. The Oyster Program staff
planned, coordinated and oversaw the Seed Ground Ves-
sel Permit Appeals Board. The Appeals Board held eight
meetings during scal year 2009-2010 and heard approxi-
mately 20 appeal cases during those meetings.
The primary objective of the nsh program is to make
rational recommendations for the management of coastal
nsh stocks based on a database of scientic informa-
tion. The information in the database is collected through
shery independent and shery dependent sampling.
These programs are cooperative with NOAA Fisheries
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
95
and the GSMFC. The shery independent monitoring pro-
gram is an ongoing collection of data by LDWF biologists
in the eld conducting surveys designed to sample coastal
waters in an objective manner. Such surveys collect
information based on geographic ranges independent of
commercial or recreational shing operations. The Marine
Fisheries Division shery dependent monitoring program
collects information from shers, processors and observ-
ers based on methods developed by the National Marine
Fisheries Service for similar programs.
A comprehensive monitoring program was developed in
1985 to protect or enhance these valuable resources by
providing information regarding the status of sh stocks
that occur in the coastal waters of Louisiana at some time
during their life cycle. Three gear types are used coast
wide to sample various year classes of estuarine depen-
dent sh.
A bag seine is used to sample young of the year and
provide information on growth and movement. A gill net
is used to sample juvenile, sub-adult and adult sh and
provides information on relative abundance, year class
strength, movement and gonad condition. A trammel net
is used to provide information on relative abundance,
standing crop and movement. Gill net samples are col-
lected semi-monthly from April through September, and
monthly from October through March using a strike net
technique. The gill nets are set in a crescent shape, open
towards the shoreline and then circled several times by the
sampling boat, driving those animals present into the net.
Trammel net samples are taken monthly from October
through March. Seine samples are taken monthly from
January through August, and semi-monthly from Sep-
tember through December. Hydrological data (conduc-
tivity, salinity and water temperature) are collected with
each biological sample, as are wind direction and speed.
Samples are collected at specic locations arranged in
such a manner so as to cover the beach, mid-marsh and
upper marsh areas of all major bay systems throughout
coastal Louisiana. The catch and hydrological information
is summarized for each Coastal Study Area on a monthly
basis to give resource managers information on the cur-
rent condition of the resource. The pertinent life history
information for the important species is also used in
developing analytical and predictive models. During scal
year 2009-2010, 645 (91 percent) seine samples, 786 (97
percent) gill net samples and 252 (99 percent) trammel
net samples were completed for a 96 percent completion
rate. The lower than 100 percent completion rate was due,
in large part, to oiling of sampling locations and oil spill
response activities in the latter half of scal year 2009-
2010.
Management recommendations based upon these observa-
tions and other information are listed.
July 2009
• Commercial king mackerel season opened on July 1,
2009 at 12:01 a.m.
August 2009
• Recreational red snapper season closes on Aug. 15,
2009 at 12:01 a.m.
September 2009
• Commercial king mackerel season closes on Sept. 12,
2009 at 12:00 p.m.
October 2009
• Rule to require non-stainless circle hooks when
shing for reef sh with natural baits. De-hooking
devices and venting tools to be available on vessels
shing for reef sh effective on Oct. 20, 2009.
November 2009
• Commercial greater amberjack season closes on Nov.
7, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.
January 2010
• Secretary provided with authority to close commer-
cial seasons of reef shes if quota for species group is
lled in federal waters.
• Secretary provided with authority to close recreation-
al seasons of reef shes if quota for species group is
lled in federal waters.
• Set 2011 king mackerel commercial season, provide
Secretary with authority to close commercial season
for king mackerel if quota for species is lled in
federal waters.
• Commercial shery for greater amberjack re-opens
Jan. 1, 2010.
February 2010
• Present 2009 stock assessment for striped mullet to
Commission and Legislature
• Commercial season for large coastal shark opens on
Feb. 4, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.
March 2010
• Issued Notice of Intent to require Individual Fishing
Quota vessel account have been issued and be on
board for any vessel to possess or land red snapper,
any species of grouper or any tilesh species regard-
less of where harvested or possessed. Sets require-
ments for a Vessel Monitoring System and removes
closed season for harvest of gag, black and red grou-
per so as to be compatible with federal seasons.
• Commercial season for large coastal shark closed on
March 17, 2010 at 11:30pm.
April 2010
• Recreational and commercial shark seasons closed
from April 1, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. until June 30, 2010.
• Issued Notice of Intent to modify the commercial
harvest rules for groupers and tilesh and to modify
96
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
High quality data for the stock assessment for various
species are essential for making management decisions.
This project will determine the spawning ratio of the ma-
jor recreational saltwater nsh in order to comply with
legislative mandates that regulatory action be taken when
the Spawning Potential Ratio falls below 30 percent. The
goal is to ensure that the stocks of these nsh are not
over-shed. The spawning potential ratio will be deter-
mined using age, growth and fecundity. LSU will assist
with the analysis of samples. Marine Fisheries sampling
crews obtain otoliths from important marine sh. Ad-
ditional work is added as needed to address age, growth
and reproductive biology of selected nshes to support
stock assessment efforts. This project started on July 1,
1999 and is an ongoing project. As of June 30, 2009, ap-
proximately 44 formal stock assessment reports have been
completed as a result of this project.
The objective of this project is to evaluate the sport sh
use of submerged aquatic vegetation and mudat habi-
tats in the Atchafalaya Delta. During this year, sampling
equipment was tested and developed and sampling sites
were identied in the spring due to Hurricanes Gustav
and Ike causing the submerged aquatic vegetation to
die. It was determined that the most efcient method of
sampling the submerged aquatic vegetation beds is timed
electroshing transects. Sampling continued into the
second year of this project.
The objective of this project is to develop a better under-
standing of the relationship between wetlands habitats
and sheries productivity in Louisiana, and the efforts to
maintain and restore both. Several studies have been per-
formed to help achieve this objective including a Before-
After-Control-Impact study with data collected by LDWF
in Breton Sound, Mean Trophic Level Index in the Gulf
of Mexico, multivariate analyses relating nekton biomass
distributions to habitat characteristics, DIDSON hydro-
acoustic data analysis, and tissue analyses of samples
collected during eldtrips on caloric content, isotopes and
stomach content, and to model the effect of the diversion
using Ecopath with Ecosim software.
This three-year project will develop an alternative esti-
mate of red drum escapement through a tagging study
utilizing a diverse partnership among sheries scientists
and volunteer anglers. Angler education is an important
component of this project. LSU is a funding and research
cooperator. This project was continued to June 30, 2010.
recreational bag limits for red grouper, gag grouper
and groupers in general for consistency with federal
regulations
May 2010
• Commercial sheries for deepwater groupers and tile-
shes closed at 12:01 a.m.
June 2010
• Commercial large coastal shark season closed in state
waters. Had been closed on April 1, 2010, but this ac-
tion continued closure until 2011 season opens.
The Programs on Fishery Management interact with
other department, state, regional and national issues. The
program contributes to the Gulf and Atlantic Aquatic In-
vasive Species Task Force that engenders cooperation on
these issues for states from South Carolina to Texas and
Mexico. It is also part of the Louisiana Aquatic Invasive
Species Task Force. It works with the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council Stock Assessment Panel to
evaluate the status of sh stocks managed by the Council.
It works with the GSMFC to develop shery management
plans and stock assessments for state-managed sheries
that have inter-jurisdictional management considerations.
The program also contributes to LDWF consideration on
permitting issues that relate to nsh including:
• Coastal Use Permits
• Liqueed Natural Gas Terminals
• Mariculture
• Articial Reefs
• Fishery Dependent Monitoring
• Finsh Stock Assessment
• SEAMAP
FEDERAL AID IN SPORT FISH
RESTORATION
The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly
referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act, passed on Aug. 9,
1950, and was modeled after the Pittman-Robertson Act
to create a parallel program for management, conservation
and restoration of shery resources. The SFR program
is funded by revenues collected from the manufacturers
of shing rods, reels, lures, ies and articial baits, who
pay an excise tax on these items to the U.S. Treasury. An
amendment to the Act in 1984 (Wallop-Breaux Amend-
ment) added new provisions by extending the excise tax
to previously untaxed items of sport shing equipment.
Appropriate state agencies are the only entities eligible to
receive grant funds. Each state's share is based 60 percent
on its licensed anglers (shermen) and 40 percent on its
land and water area. No state receives more than 5 percent
or less than 1 percent of each year's total apportionment.
The program is a cost-reimbursement program, where the
state covers the full amount of an approved project then
applies for reimbursement through Federal Aid for up to
75 percent of the project expenses. The state must provide
at least 25 percent of the project costs from a non-federal
source. During scal year 2009-2010, Louisiana used the
marine share of its SFR funds in support of the following
projects:
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
97
This project allows LDWF to evaluate the effectiveness
of habitat alteration and enhancement on sh communi-
ties through the construction of articial reefs. Evaluating
sh response to articial reefs will give LDWF insight in
making management decisions concerning habitat altera-
tion and enhancement. Articial reefs in Louisiana are
currently made out of materials such as concrete, lime-
stone, shells and oil platforms.
City Park is a public park located in the heart of New
Orleans. It features two historical waterways and a set
of manmade lagoons that connect to Lake Pontchartrain.
Bayou St. John, Bayou Metairie and the lagoons have an
estuarine inuence, yet are still fresh enough to harbor
freshwater shes. The objectives of this project are to re-
establishing water ow through the Bayou St. John com-
plex to improve water quality, improving sheries habitat
through plantings and shoreline alteration and determine
habitat utilization by sport sh. Preliminary analysis in-
dicates that the sonic-tagged red drum reintroduced to the
system avoid the southern portion of Bayou St. John and
are associated with an opening or moving water in areas
closer to Lake Pontchartrain. Also, City Park conducted a
shoreline planting projects for sheries habitat improve-
ment and purchased a water quality monitoring system.
RAPID RESPONSE TO REMOVE
INTRODUCED TILAPIA
An established tilapia population (Oreochromis spp.) was
discovered in a private pond in the Port Sulfur area during
the winter of 2008 by LDWF Fisheries biologists. Tilapia
are considered cold water intolerant, and it was expected
that the sh could not survive the winter months. How-
ever, spring sampling revealed that the sh did indeed
survive the mild winter. In fact, they had spread to both
private and public waters throughout the Port Sulfur area.
Tilapia reproduce several times a year and are mouth
brooders, providing parental protection for their young
through the early stages of the life cycle. If left uncon-
trolled, they can overpopulate a system and create com-
petition for native sh. Although tilapia feed primarily on
organic material and "muck," they build large nests and
compete with native shes for spawning grounds. Tilapia
are successful invaders because of their ability to adapt to
undesirable conditions. Louisiana law RS 56:319 makes it
illegal to possess, sell or cause to be transported into this
state any species of tilapia without rst obtaining the writ-
ten permission of the Secretary of LDWF.
LDWF initiated a rapid response effort to contain the
movement of tilapia, understand the extent of the intro-
duction, and develop an eradication effort. A variety of
sampling gear, including cast nets, rotenone, lead nets and
electroshing equipment, were utilized to sample sh at
over 100 sites to determine the presence or absence of
tilapia. This information was used to delineate the area
where tilapia were found, and subsequently the Secre-
tary of LDWF closed these areas to all shing on May 5,
2009. The closed area in Port Sulfur included all public
and private waters within a four-mile zone from St. Jude
Road to Milan Drive and between the Mississippi River
levee and the drainage ditch levee on the marsh side.
The rapid response was organized utilizing an Incident
Action Plan format that identied tasks, personnel and lo-
gistics for eradicating all sh within the containment zone
using rotenone. Approximately 596 acre-feet of water (81
surface acres) was treated with a total of 2,260 gallons of
5 percent rotenone over a seven week period. Participants
in the effort included over 100 individuals representing
state and federal agencies, universities, environmental
organizations, interested individuals and Plaquemines
Parish.
Post monitoring on Aug. 27, 2009, indicated that all sh
in the containment zone were eliminated. The nal phase
of the Incident Action Plan included stocking several
predatory sh species including spotted gar (Lepisosteus
oculatus), bown (Amia calva), largemouth bass (Microp-
terus salmoides), athead catsh (Pylodictis olivaris) and
sunsh (Lepomis spp.). The department has contracted
with the University of New Orleans and Nichols State
University to conduct future monitoring on a quarterly
basis for the next two years within the containment zone.
FISHERIES RESEARCH LAB
On June 30, 2009, LDWF opened the Fisheries Research
Laboratory on Grand Isle, and staff moved into the new
facility. The Fisheries Research Lab has a primary mis-
sion to conduct the research required to manage Loui-
siana's marine, estuarine and freshwater sheries. The
laboratory is made available for use by other LDWF
and non-LDWF entities engaged in sheries research,
management, enforcement, coastal restoration and marine
education, and serves as a station for Coastal Study Area
III in the Barataria Bay estuarine system. The marine
laboratory also supports the monitoring of the Freeport
Sulfur Mine Reef for the LARP, Elmer's Island Wild-
life Management Area, and a local operations center for
LDWF Enforcement Agents.
Habitat protection programs include: Elmer's Island;
David Pond Monitoring Program; nsh management;
shellsh management; oyster management; sea turtle and
marine mammal stranding program; Freeport Sulfur Mine
Reef; and the Sport Fish Tagging Program.
LDWF was able to work with LDOTD to make road
improvements to allow easier public access to the beach
front property. This property is managed by sheries
research lab employees. The area is also used for educa-
tion events. Students have been able to learn about marsh
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
plant ecology by planting grass on the beach to improve
stability and prevent erosion of the beach. Biologists
routinely check the beach for turtle and marine mammal
strandings, as well as sh kills. In addition, biologists
complete MRFSS creel surveys at Elmer's Island Beach.
Access to Elmer's Island Beach was closed to the public
in May 2010 due to the BP 252 Deepwater Horizon oil
spill. BP took over the area to conduct oil spill clean-up
operations. Access has not been restored at this point.
Personnel collect biological and physical data to be used
for monitoring the effects of the Davis Pond Water Diver-
sion. These samples include nsh, shellsh, isohaline,
creel and Nestier Tray data. These duties were transferred
to Coastal Study Area 3 during early 2010 to allow Lab
staff to shift their duties towards research.
Fisheries lab personnel assist Coastal Study Area III
(Marine Fisheries Section) with shery dependent and
independent data collection. Independent data is collected
with the department's standardized sampling. Lab person-
nel sample coastal species with seines at four locations,
gill nets at six locations and trammel nets at six loca-
tions. These samples are taken at various rates (weekly,
biweekly, monthly, etc.) during different times of the year.
In addition to these standard samples, biologists collect
data for a coastal fecundity study on spotted seatrout. De-
pendent data is collected with the use of MRFSS, Davis
Pond Creel surveys and otolith for biostatical informa-
tion. These duties were transferred to Coastal Study Area
3 during early 2010 to allow lab staff to shift their duties
towards research.
Fisheries Research Lab personnel assisted Coastal Study
Area III with the collection of 16-foot and 6-foot trawl
samples conducted with the department's standardized
methodology. Sixteen-foot trawls are used to sample
four inshore sites and four offshore sites. Biologists use
6-foot trawls to sample 10 shallow water locations. These
duties were transferred to Coastal Study Area 3 during
early 2010 to allow lab staff to shift their duties towards
research.
Lab personnel assist Coastal Study Area III with monitor-
ing the oyster boats involved in the POLR program and
collecting oyster sherman production data in the Board-
ing Run survey. Biologists also sample ve dredge sites,
one cultch reef site and a Bay Ronquille reef site. These
duties were transferred to Coastal Study Area 3 during
early 2010 to allow lab staff to shift their duties towards
research.
Lab staff are charged with monitoring the beaches and
marshes in the vicinity of Grand Isle for dead or live
stranded dolphins or sea turtles. Dead turtles or dolphins
are located and identied, and a report is sent to the state
marine mammal coordinator in Baton Rouge. Live organ-
isms are monitored and experts are called in to rescue
and rehabilitate them for later release back into the wild.
Beaches in the area are frequently monitored by staff to
locate any turtles or dolphins that have washed ashore.
Lab personnel collect weekly water quality data in Bayou
Rigaud on the bay-side of Grand Isle. This data is col-
lected to assess areas for oyster production potential. This
sampling ended in January 2010.
The lab also participates in the Sport Fish Tagging Pro-
gram. Lab personnel are responsible for tagging spotted
seatrout and red drum.
Biologists investigate sh kills near Grand Isle. Public
calls or biologist observations require collection of water
quality data and sh mortality information.
The Fisheries Research Lab is available to team up with
researchers for other organizations and universities to
conduct research that would serve to enhance the state's
sheries resources, both inshore and offshore. The lab
can provide personnel and facilities for various research
projects. Laboratory staff are also able to collaborate with
visiting professors on various scientic objectives.
The Grand Isle Bivalve Hatchery, led by Dr. John Supan,
conducts many important experiments for the oyster
shery in the Gulf of Mexico. The hatchery is responsible
for trying to develop disease resistant stocks for distribut-
ing to oyster leases, produce oyster larvae for seeding on
leases and test innovative grow-out techniques. The scien-
tists working on this project use lab space at the Fisheries
Research Lab.
SEAMAP is a cooperative state, federal and univer-
sity program for collecting, managing and disseminat-
ing shery-independent biological and environmental
data and information in the southeastern United States.
Fishery-independent data are those collected by sher-
ies scientists, rather than shermen. SEAMAP collects
data on sh stocks that are managed jointly by the states
and federal government and conducts a variety of data
collection activities including a Fall Shrimp/Groundsh
Survey, Spring Plankton Survey, Reef Fish Survey, Sum-
mer Shrimp/Groundsh Survey, Fall Plankton Survey and
other plankton and environmental surveys.
LDWF collects samples between Southwest Pass of
the Mississippi River and Pointe au Fer, and out to the
120-foot depth contour off the Louisiana coast. Louisi-
ana SEAMAP activities include spring (March-April),
summer (June-July), autumn (September-October) and
winter (December-January) trawl surveys that also collect
zooplankton and environmental resource data.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
99
Biological samples are collected using a SEAMAP stan-
dard 42-foot trawl to collect juvenile and adult animals.
Approximately 30 stations are sampled to measure the
different animal communities that are present. Plankton
nets are used during daylight hours to sample early life
history stages (eggs and larvae) of marine organisms.
Environmental data are collected at all stations.
Data from all sample cruises, including real-time shrimp
and red snapper data from the summer cruise, are entered,
veried and uploaded to the SEAMAP data management
system.
Lab biologists collect data for EMAP, which is a program
within the Environmental Protection Agency. EMAP
provides quantitative assessment of the regional extent
of environmental problems measuring status and change
in selected indicators of ecological condition. EMAP
provides a strategy to identify and bound the extent,
magnitude and location of environmental degradation and
improvement on a regional scale.
Fish tissue, sediment, environmental and water samples
were taken at each of 97 sites covering all of coastal Loui-
siana. Sampling took place from May to September 2010
as part of a nationwide coastal program. During project
coordination, the MC252 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
occurred. Environmental Protection Agency sampling was
completed on time despite concurrent oil spill monitoring
operations.
The Fisheries Research Lab personnel were responsible
for determining actual locations and relative amounts of
inshore and offshore oil occurrences which provided valu-
able information for the Secretary and Assistant Secretary
to determine recreational and commercial shery closures.
Lab staff created offshore and inshore sampling schemes
to monitor oil movements and intrusions. Lab staff cre-
ated beach monitoring at Grand Isle, Elmer's Island,
Grand Terre and Fourchon to verify oil occurrences as
well as dolphin and sea turtle strandings. Fisheries Re-
search Lab personnel coordinated with hundreds of media
personnel to cover effects of the spill and actual oil spill
monitoring operations. Fisheries Research Lab biologists
investigated sh kills throughout coastal Louisiana. Public
calls or biologist observations required collection of water
quality data and sh mortality information. Biologists also
responded to dolphin, whale, and sea turtle stranding calls
throughout coastal Louisiana.
The Fisheries Research Lab opened its doors to many
state and federal agencies during the BP Oil Spill crisis.
The agencies included:
• Wildlife and Fisheries - Wildlife Division
• LDWF Enforcement
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivce
• Environmental Protection Agency
• NOAA
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• National Guard
• Bird Rehabilitation (Tri-State)
• Numerous Universities
• Overnight visiting personnel numbered up to 100
individuals on given nights and averaged approxi-
mately 60 which stretched Fisheries Research Lab
bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Working with the Ofce of Fisheries, Fisheries Research
Lab personnel collected shrimp, crabs and nsh tissue
samples following a strict protocol developed by the Food
and Drug Administration and NOAA. Samples were for-
warded to the Pascagoula NOAA lab for further testing.
Results from tissue samples provided necessary informa-
tion the Secretary needed to determine recreational and
commercial shery openings.
The Fisheries Research Lab was also involved in planning
numerous projects for future work at the laboratory. These
projects include:
Maps the spatial and temporal distribution of commer-
cially and recreationally important reef species through
monthly sampling of sites using commercial and recre-
ational gear from the mouth of the Mississippi River to
the south of Terrebonne Parish. Hook selectivity study is
part of this project.
Modeled after SEAMAP but with no plankton tows
shery independent sampling and CTD water parameters
cover depths up to 40 fathoms across the entire state.
Working with the Miami Science Center offshore stock
assessments are made through collections of shes
throughout the Louisiana territorial sea and EEZ. Fisher-
ies Research Lab personnel collect biological parameters
and samples including reproductive organs and otoliths
which are cut and aged.
This is a tagging program partnered with Florida Wildlife
Commission. Anglers are requested to participate in col-
lecting DNA samples from tarpon prior to their release.
Individual markers will be identied and sh can be
traced if recaptured.
This project incorporates video, hook and line, and diving
to record populations in a quarterly sampling scheme at
selected sites to determine spatial and temporal distribu-
tion of shes. Sampling will determine which sh species
are resident versus transient at these articial reef sites.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Project involves age and growth for assessment purposes.
Fecundity at age, diet and migration will all be deter-
mined through otolith, stomach and gonad analysis and
tagging.
This study is to determine the by-catch in the green stick
shery and the feasibility of switching pelagic long line
tuna gear to green stick gear. The basis is the proposed
reduction in by-catch of turtles, birds, bluen tuna and
billsh. By-catch will be released and a sample will have
PSAT tags attached.
Fisheries Research Lab personnel will be working with
the University of Florida on a life history project for the
greater amberjack. Length, weight and otolith will be col-
lected from the specimens to determine an age to growth
curve in Louisiana's greater amberjack population. Gut
content analysis along with fecundity measurements will
be taken. Anchor tags will be used to map the migration
of the sh.
A series of tank systems are in the process of being
installed at the Fisheries Research Lab. There will be
closed and open systems that can be manipulated on
many different parameters for future research projects.
With the closed system we will be able to test groups of
species under various conditions. The will allow us to
determine which conditions provide the highest output
for the species in question. The tanks will also be used
as holding facilities for numerous other projects from tag
retention to growth studies. In addition, we will have a
micro-hatchery to raise forage for the fry in the hatchery.
The micro-hatchery will grow algae, rotifers, artemia and
other micro-organisms to feed developing organisms in
the research systems.
STOCK ASSESSMENT
The following projects and activities were conducted dur-
ing scal year 2009-2010 by the Fisheries Management
Section's Stock Assessment group.
1. Continue centralized A&G processing of freshwater
sportsh otoliths (i.e., largemouth bass, white and
black crappie) to support planned stock assessments
(under direction of Joe West)
2. Stock assessment of largemouth bass in Louisiana
waters
• Project is ongoing with primary research complet-
ed in 2012 (under direction of Joe West)
3. Stock assessment of crappie in Louisiana waters
• Project is ongoing with primary research complet-
ed in 2012 (under direction of Joe West)
• Preliminary results were used in ongoing stan-
dardization of harvest regulations on Texas and
Louisiana border waters.
4. Continue technical support and data analysis/requests
for the Inland Fisheries Section's ongoing research
projects and standardized sampling program
5. Age and growth of spotted bass (Micropterus punctu-
latus) in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin
• Collected approximately 150 spotted bass using
rod-and-reel gear and seines from the Tangipohoa,
Tickfaw, Tchefuncte, and Amite River drainages.
Data collected included stomach contents, length,
weight, sex and maturity. Otoliths were removed
for age, growth and mortality estimates.
6. Manuscripts published in peer-reviewed scientic
journals:
• Alford, J. B., D. M. O'Keefe, and D. C. Jackson.
2009. Effects of stocking adult largemouth bass
to enhance sheries recovery in Pascagoula River
oodplain lakes impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Conference of
the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies 63:104-110.
• Alford, J. B. and D. C. Jackson. 2010. Asso-
ciations between watershed characteristics and
angling success for sport shes in Mississippi
wadeable streams. North American Journal of
Fisheries Management 30:112-120.
7. Jenkins, J. A., S. B. Hartley, J. Carter, D. J. Johnson,
and J. B. Alford. A geographic information system
tool for aquatic resource conservation: Red and
Sabine River watersheds. Manuscript in review in the
journal River Research and Applications.
• Co-authored with personnel from U.S. Geological
Survey Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette.
Watershed scale analysis of land use impacts to
mercury concentration in bass (Micropterus spp.)
and bown (Amia calva). Identied priority sub-
watersheds for conservation relative to species of
special concern.
8. Alford, J. B. and M. Walker. Flood duration and
magnitude in the Atchafalaya River Basin and im-
plications for sheries management at a basin-wide
scale. Manuscript will be submitted to the journal
River Research and Applications. Developed models
to predict the number of ood days required at Butte
La Rose and how much river discharge is necessary
at Simmesport to optimize recreational and commer-
cial sh catches and growth of sh in the Atchafalaya
River Basin.
9. Fish community analysis of Davis Pond data for
streamling purposes to see if stations and samples can
be reduced yet still accurately assess sh community
characteristics. Met with the Ofce of Coastal Protec-
tion and Restoration to discuss dropping of rotenone
and hoop net samples, as well as some creel samples,
in order to save department money while keeping
statistical rigor. (Brian Alford and Joe West)
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
101
10. Fish assemblage of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin with
emphasis on the broadstripe topminnow (Fundulus
euryzonus ), which is listed as a species of special
concern in Louisiana.
• Sampled water quality, habitat and sh species
using seines from approximately 30 stream sites
in the Tickfaw and Tchefuncte River drainages.
Reference collection of sh species of the basin
was maintained. Data on broadtripe topminnows
included length, weight and sex.
• This project is being funded by an award from the
State Wildlife Grants program ($26,000 over two
years). An annual progress report was submitted
to the State Wildlife Grants coordinator, LeAnne
Bonner on 9/30/10. Brian Alford is the principal
investigator.
11. Analysis of special research projects for Inland Divi-
sion's district supervisors
• District 7: Analyzed channel catsh (Ictalurus
punctatus) maturity data from Lac Des Alle-
mands.
• District 10: Analyzed channel catsh (Ictalurus
punctatus) maturity data from Toledo Bend Res-
ervoir.
• Dsitrict 3: Analyzed lead net soak duration data
in order to determine how to best sample crappie
(Pomoxis spp.)
• District 2: Estimated angler exploitation of crap-
pie in Poverty Point Reservoir.
• District 1: Compared the crappie sampling ef-
ciency of Inland's lead net gear to their frame net
gear.
12. Managed data for the Inland Division standardized
sampling program and stocking databases by process-
ing data requests, and making data corrections and
edits.
13. Reviewed and critiqued all water body management
plans generated by district biologist managers.
14. Developed creel survey sample schedules for Inland
district biologist managers at various water bodies.
1. Continue centralized A&G processing of marine
species otoliths to support planned stock assessments
(under direction of Joe West)
2. Stock assessment of spotted seatrout in Louisiana
waters
• Project is ongoing with preliminary results avail-
able in April 2011 (under direction of Joe West)
3. Stock assessment of blue crab in Louisiana waters
• Project is ongoing with preliminary results avail-
able (under direction of Joe West)
• Preliminary results are being used in ongoing Ma-
rine Stewardship Council certication process
4. Continue technical support and data analysis/requests
for the Marine Fisheries Section's ongoing research
projects and standardized sampling program
5. Contract Work:
• Sable, S., J. B. Alford, and S. Bartell. 2010.
Aquatic statistical analysis for the USACE Mis-
sissippi River-Gulf Outlet draft environmental
impact statement. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Analyzed nekton community structure from
LDWF shery-independent samples taken
1988-2009 in water bodies surrounding the
MRGO, also analyzed changes to sh commu-
nity after Hurricane Katrina.
• Project completion report submitted March
2010
6. Grant proposals written/awarded:
• Tumlin, M. and J. B. Alford. 2010. Distribution
and habitat utilization by Kemp's Ridley sea
turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in Louisiana. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service/Louisiana State Wildlife
Grant. Duration: July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011.
$33,000. Role: Lead author of grant.
• Project was cancelled due to oil spill responsi-
bilities and potential bias created by oil in Gulf
• Alford, J. B., H. Warner-Finley, and R. Bourgeois.
2010. Restoration of seagrass habitat in Louisiana
estuaries following the BP Deepwater Horizon
oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Submitted to the
Southeastern Aquatic Resources Partnership.
Requested $340,510 over four years.
• Grant not awarded.
• Alford, J. B., P. Banks, and T. Lindsey. 2010.
Restoration of oyster reef habitat in the Calcasieu
Estuary following the BP Deepwater Horizon
oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Submitted to the
Southeastern Aquatic Resources Partnership.
Requested $990,000 over three years.
• Grant not awarded.
7. MC-252 DWH Oil Spill: April – July 2010. Designed
the new randomized stratied sampling protocol for
Marine Division, and wrote the manuals for the new
inshore and nearshore sheries monitoring plans.
(Brian Alford and Ronald Lachica)
8. Developed models to estimate amount of Brown
shrimp landings and value lost due to shery closures
using LDWF physicochemical and shery-indepen-
dent shrimp trawl data. (Joe West and Brian Alford)
9. Developed a model to predict amount of oyster meat
yield per sack of oysters harvested (Brian Alford).
10. Maintained contract initiated by R. Pausina and C.
Hoar with LSU's Joe Powers "Assessment Advice on
Louisiana Marine Finshes: Analytical Development,
Support, and Assessment Research."
• Joe West, Shaye Sable, Brian Alford, and Ronald
Lachica attended a one-day work session with
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Powers using LDWF spotted seatrout data to run
an example stock assessment
11. Committees served on by Stock Assessment person-
nel
• Brian Alford: Southeast Aquatic Resources Part-
nership, Science and Data Committee, Habitat
Sub-committee, Prioritization Tools Sub-commit-
tee
• Brian Alford: GSMFC: Habitat Technical Com-
mittee
• Brian Alford: National Fish Habitat Action Plan,
Science and Data Committee
• Brian Alford: LDWF Natural Areas Preserve
Committee
• Brian Alford: LDWF State Wildlife Grants Com-
mittee
• Brian Alford: American Fisheries Society, Warm-
water Streams Technical Committee
• Brian Alford: Gulf Hypoxia Task Force, took over
as member after Shaye Sable left.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
A study comparing xed (subjectively chosen) vs.
randomly selected electroshing stations was conducted
on Lake Cataouatche during the spring and fall of 2010.
Fisheries managers currently utilize electroshing
samples collected at subjectively chosen, xed stations to
survey and monitor largemouth bass populations in water
bodies across the state. Electroshing will be conducted
using randomly and xed sites form comparison of
statistical strength. Results from the two techniques will
be compared to determine which yields the most precise
population estimates with the least amount of effort.
In 2009, a total of 442 Poverty Point Reservoir white
crappie (Pomoxis annularis) were tagged with two re-
ward tags each to assess angler exploitation. Tag returns
were encouraged by issuing custom caps and entries
into a grand prize drawing to all participating anglers. A
concurrent creel survey was also conducted to acquire
harvest data and determine angler characteristics. Crappie
were tagged in both winter and fall to ensure a sufcient
number of tags for peak angling seasons. Over 65 percent
of the crappie tagged in January through March were
caught and reported by recreational anglers. Of the crap-
pie tagged in the fall (September through October), only
5 percent were returned by Dec. 31, even though the creel
survey showed crappie harvest to be high in November
and December. Further analysis of the tag/return and
creel data will be performed soon. This information will
be used to effectively manage the crappie population in
Poverty Point Reservoir.
District 7 is working on two projects simultaneously. All
necessary samples have been collected for the Lac Des
Allemands catsh age and growth project. Spines have
been pulled, sectioned and read, and age estimates are in
the process of being veried. The eld work for year one
of the Florida stream spotted bass age & growth project
has been completed. Fish assemblage samples were col-
lected with spotted bass being the primary target. Oto-
liths are in the process of being read for 50 spotted bass
(greater than 6 inches) from the Tangipahoa River and 118
spotted bass (greater than 6 inches) from the Amite River.
To determine the recruitment success of individual stock-
ings at different rates, 1,200 hatchery-reared Florida
largemouth bass were marked with the antibiotic oxytetra-
cycline (OTC) and stocked into four small impoundments
on Fort Polk Joint Training Readiness Center. An addi-
tional 3,800 sh were marked simultaneously and held to
determine mark retention over time. Five thousand sh
were not treated with OTC but were handled identically
for use as controls in this study.
Prior to stocking in March 2009, the ponds were sampled
by electroshing to determine baseline catch per unit
effort of largemouth bass and subsamples were collected
to determine the maximum size of age-1 sh (9 inches).
Marked sh were stocked in April 2009 with 0 percent
transport mortality as determined by holding 25 sh in
minnow traps for 24 hours in each pond.
Marked sh held in ponds at Booker Fowler State Fish
Hatchery were subsampled at 30 and 200 days post
marking. Otoliths were removed and examined under a
uorescent microscope for OTC marks. We found 100
percent mark retention at 30 (n=26) and 200 (n=30) days.
A double blind reader assessment was also conducted at
30 days post mark by randomly mixing marked (n=4)
and unmarked (n=21) largemouth bass resulting in 100
percent accuracy and reader agreement (two readers).
Channel catsh were captured using vertically shed
hoop nets in two zones of Toledo Bend Reservoir. Taken
in quarterly samples, 1,123 specimens were taken from
specic sizes corresponding to average length at ages 2-6.
Length, weight, sexual maturity, sex and gonad weight
were taken from specimens, as well as pectoral spines for
aging. All spines were sectioned, pictured and aged by
three independent readers. Data has been compiled and is
being analyzed for length and age at which 50 percent of
all sh were sexually mature. Gonad weight is being used
to construct a gonad somatic index and length and age
data to construct a von Bertalanffy growth model. This
data will be used to make future management recommen-
dations for Toledo Bend Reservoir.
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103
Brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) cysts were hatched in OTC
solutions at three different concentrations and fed with
each concentration for three days to groups of swim-up
fry. These fry were then stocked in one-acre rearing ponds
and raised to about 25 millimeters. When the ponds were
harvested, a sample of sh were collected and frozen.
About 5,000 sh from each pond were transferred to one
acre earthen ponds at Beechwood Fish Hatchery to grow
out to Phase II size. When these ponds were harvested in
November, another sample of sh was collected.
Otoliths were successfully extracted from both sizes of
bass. An Omano OMFL400 uorescence microscope was
used to attempt detection of the OTC marks. This effort
has been unsuccessful thus far, but problems with the
100W halogen light power supply were encountered. A
warranty repair of the power supply is being investigated.
Crappie information is gathered through the spring and
fall electroshing surveys and through the few crappie
that are collected in gill nets during winter months. These
sampling methods result in low overall numbers and
indicate that the crappie population is not being accurately
represented through these gear types.
This research project will attempt to test lead nets and trap
nets shed in close proximity to one another, and compare
catch rates, as well as collect length, weight and age data
from crappie and possibly other species collected. The
study will be performed on John K. Kelly Reservoir (aka
Grand Bayou Reservoir) in Red River Parish near Coush-
atta, La. Crappie are often sought by Grand Bayou anglers
on the reservoir, but LDWF does not have adequate data
to make reasonably informed management decisions.
Preliminary studies by LDWF biologists indicate lead
nets maybe the best choice of gear to collect crappie for
standardized sampling. There is a need to determine the
optimal soak time when utilizing these nets. There is also
concern about predation on game species trapped in the
net. Information gained through this study will allow the
LDWF to standardize methods used to collect crappie.
Standardized methods will allow data collected through-
out the state to be compared.
This study will be conducted in four waterbodies in
central Louisiana. Five lead nets will be set for each treat-
ment group in each of the four lakes. The treatment will
be soak time and will include a 24-hour set, a 48-hour set,
a 72-hour set and a 96-hour set (i.e., 1-4 days). Each of
the lakes will be a replicate. Thus, each soak time treat-
ment will have four independent replicates (Total effort
will be 4 lakes x 4 soak times = 16 samples x 5 nets/
sample = 80 total net-sets). Each of the treatments (i.e.,
soak times) will be conducted in different locations within
each lake to minimize bias.
Information gained from this study should optimize man
power and expenses when sampling crappie. Consequent-
ly, this study will have direct implications for manage-
ment of Louisiana's crappie sheries.
Hurricanes are capable of causing major sh kills in fresh-
water ecosystems. When a hurricane makes landfall and
travels through a body of freshwater, damage to habitat
and water quality occur resulting in sh kills (Rogers and
Allen 2008). On Sept. 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav made
landfall along Louisiana's Gulf Coast. The hurricane
caused major sh kills (due to reduced dissolved oxygen)
throughout the southeastern portion of the state. One
of the most signicant sh kills within LDWF- Inland
Fisheries District 9 was within the Atchafalaya Basin. Ap-
proximately 99 million sh was estimated to have died in
the lower Atchafalaya Basin. Approximately 6 million of
these sh were largemouth bass.
The purpose of this study is to determine if stocking large-
mouth bass will expedite the recovery of the largemouth
bass shery in the Atchafalaya Basin following hypoxia-
induced sh kills caused by the hurricane. The study will
be conducted in natural bayous within the lower Atchafa-
laya Basin where signicant sh kills occurred. The sites
selected are adequate for this study due to low numbers
of bass recently collected during LDWF's standardized
sampling. Florida strain largemouth bass will be used (as
a biological marker) to stock selected sites. Future sh
samples from these sites will be compared to sh samples
from non-stocked sites where native largemouth bass will
undergo a natural recovery. Genetic testing will be used to
distinguish the Florida strain from the native largemouth
bass. The numbers of Florida strain bass versus numbers
of native bass collected from electroshing will be used to
determine if stocking bass following a signicant sh kill
is benecial to the shery.
2010 PERMITS
Inland Fisheries Section issues a variety of permits to pro-
vide individuals a legal method to participate in a specic
activity.
Issued to allow individuals to posses, do research on or
culture freshwater shrimp/prawns.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Used to take sh for scientic research or educational pur-
poses, propagation or distribution.
(to collectors from seven different
states)
Used to allow individuals to possess triploid grass carp for
aquatic vegetation control in private ponds and lakes.
Used to allow individuals to import, transport, possess
and sell triploid grass carp to the public.
(to sh hatcheries from six different
states)
Used to allow individuals to possess for resale, do re-
search on or culture tilapia.
Used to allow individuals to commercially sh for min-
nows using a specic dip net.
Used to allow individuals to transport, possess and sell
game sh ngerlings.
(to individuals from six different
states)
Used to allow individuals to commercially harvest fresh-
water mussels.
Used to allow individuals to buy commercially harvested
mussels from mussel harvesters.
Used to allow individuals to spearsh in Toledo Bend
Reservoir June through September.
Used to take sh for scientic research or educational pur-
poses, propagation or distribution.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Ofce of Fisheries Administrative Section provides
strategic guidance, interagency collaboration, executive
management and administrative support for all Fisheries
activities.
Included in Fisheries Administrative Section is the As-
sistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary and support
staff.
Throughout legislative sessions, the Assistant Secretary
attends weekly committee hearings, provides insight
and guidance on Fisheries' budget to the legislative joint
committee on the budget and works to ensure all legisla-
tion needed for the execution of Fisheries' priorities are
authored, considered in committee, and commented on
throughout the legislative session. In addition to providing
guidance and information regarding Fisheries' activities to
the Louisiana Legislature, the Assistant Secretary meets
with stakeholder groups, federal congressional delegates,
local and parish ofcials, and other parties interested in
Louisiana sheries.
In scal year 2009-2010, Fisheries began studying an
ofce-wide reorganization to streamline and improve
efciencies. The reorganization, planned for scal year
2010-2011, reduces the number of program manager and
supervisor positions, allowing Fisheries to dedicate more
funding and manpower to resource management. The
planned reorganization also brings Fisheries closer to the
Department of Civil Service's recommendation of one
supervisory role, versus four, creating a more cohesive
leadership structure. An additional benet of the reorga-
nization, effective July 1, 2010, is allowing employees to
practice within their areas of expertise.
In advance of the reorganization, the Ofce of Fisheries
Administrative Section also implemented a new expense
coding system to better track expenditures, providing a
more robust exception reporting system.
Daily responsibilities for the Administrative Section
include executive management of operations.
By supporting the operations of the Ofce of Fisheries,
the Administrative Section ensures the propagation of
activities that benet Louisiana's aquatic natural resources
while being both transparent and accountable to taxpayers.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
105
LOUISIANA SEAFOOD
PROMOTION &
MARKETING BOARD
ANNUAL EVENTS
The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board
(LSPMB) kicked off 2010 with its seventh annual Great
American Seafood Cook-Off and the Louisiana Alligator
Soirée. These two events are LSPMB's biggest of the
year and are responsible for a tremendous amount of
media coverage. For these two events alone, LSMPB
received media coverage in 50 states on more than 250
news outlets for a total of more than 99 million impres-
sions, otherwise known as the number of times an
impression was made on a viewer or consumer.
The Great American Seafood Cook-Off featured 15
renowned chefs from 15 states competing for the title of
King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood. Taking home the
title of King of American Seafood this year was
Louisiana's own, Chef Tory McPhail of Commander's
Palace. The emcee for the event was Sig Hansen of The
Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch and Chef John
Folse of Louisiana.
The Louisiana Alligator Soirée featured culinary schools
from across the state competing using Louisiana alligator.
Both events were held at the Louisiana Restaurant
Association's Food Service EXPO.
In January 2010, the Oyster Walk the Hill was held in
Washington D.C. Representatives from the oyster indus-
try traveled to Washington, D.C., meeting with legislators
throughout the week educating them on the importance of
the oyster industry and what it means for Louisiana state,
culturally and economically. Two events hosted by the
Gulf Oyster Industry Council, "Let the World Be Your
Oyster" and "Louisiana Alive" let attendees sample
Louisiana oysters. Both of these events showcased
Louisiana oysters to congressional representatives,
national media and other political leaders. For the 2010
event, Louisiana Representative Charlie Melancon from
the state's 3rd District and Representative Steve Scalise
of Louisiana's 1st District battled off in an oyster eating
competition on a local television station in Washington
D.C.
LSMPB also began 2010 with its annual trip to the
Boston Seafood Show where staff and industry represen-
tatives met with seafood sales personnel from across the
globe to discuss the high value and quality of Louisiana
seafood.
In April 2010, the annual Oysters Jubilee was held in the
French Quarter. This event featured the world's longest
Louisiana oyster po'boy. The po'boy was 340 feet long.
Oyster lovers lined up for blocks hoping to get a piece of
the special po'boy, which is divided into sections with a
different local restaurant charged with dressing each sec-
tion. The po'boy featured more than 5,000 Louisiana oys-
ters.
Also in April 2010, at the French Quarter Festival, the
oyster eating competition was replaced with a crawfish
eating competition and drew a huge crowd.
The annual LSPMB legislative day was also held in April
2010. This event gave legislators the opportunity to meet
with seafood industry representatives in a casual environ-
ment while sampling delicious Louisiana seafood pre-
pared by various event restaurant sponsors.
MEDIA RESPONSE TO DEEPWATER
HORIZON OIL SPILL
LSPMB played a major role in responding to the April
20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Working with the
Office of Fisheries staff and leadership, LSPMB staff
coordinated conference calls with industry representa-
tives, from chefs to seafood suppliers, as well as conduct-
ed interviews with media.
Throughout the Gulf oil spill crisis, LSPMB continued to
promote and market Louisiana seafood, including at the
Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off held at the New Orleans
Wine and Food Experience held in May. The event
included 13 chefs from across the state that participated
in the cook-off and competed for the title of King or
Queen of Louisiana Seafood. The 2010 winner was Chef
Chris Lusk of Café Adelaide in New Orleans.
LSPMB sponsored two festivals in June 2010, the first
annual Oyster Festival and the fourth annual Louisiana
Seafood Festival. Festival goers feasted on Louisiana sea-
food from a variety of vendors, and listened to local
Cajun and Zydeco music sponsored by the Jazz and
Heritage Foundation.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Three years ago, the Louisiana Seafood Festival joined
the Creole Tomato Festival and the Cajun-Zydeco
Festival in a weekend of festival fun called "A New
Orleans Vieux to Do." Both festivals were even more
important in 2010, highlighting the fact that the Louisiana
seafood industry was still in business and fresh, quality
Louisiana seafood was still available.
In fiscal year 2010-2011, LSPMB plans to undertake new
marketing efforts and public relations strategies to help
improve public perception of Louisiana seafood.
SOCIOECONOMIC
RESEARCH &
DEVELOPMENT
The Socioeconomic Research and Development (SRD)
Section was established in 1992 and currently resides in
LDWF Office of Fisheries. The duties and responsibilities
of the section are:
• To recommend, conduct and coordinate economic
research studies pertaining to wildlife and fisheries
resources of Louisiana and the Gulf region;
• To present research findings at appropriate profes-
sional and scientific meetings, and publish results in
departmental publications and peer-reviewed scien-
tific journals;
• To provide information and support to other sections
and divisions within LDWF, as well as agencies out-
side LDWF, assisting them in accomplishing
research needs, management tasks and short- and
long-term objectives;
• To represent LDWF and Louisiana on various study
groups, task forces and committees established to
study, manage and improve wildlife and fisheries
resources at the local, state, regional and national
levels;
• To administer and implement special programs, and;
• To perform other activities as directed by LDWF's
appointing authorities.
FISCAL & ECONOMIC IMPACT
STATEMENTS
With assistance from the various program managers with-
in the offices of LDWF, the SRD Section prepares Fiscal
and Economic Impact Statements that accompany the
Notices of Intent and Rules considered for adoption by
the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, a total of 17 Fiscal and
Economic Impact Statements were developed and pub-
lished along with the Notices of Intent in the Louisiana
Register.
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS & SURVEYS
Programs, projects and surveys administered by the SRD
Section during fiscal year 2009-2010 included the Clean
Vessel Program, Cooperative Research Survey, LDWF
Recreational Marina Survey, Gulf of Mexico State
Waters' Shrimpers Survey, DM932 Oil Spill Damage
Assessment Project, Louisiana Resident Boat Owner
Survey, Louisiana Commercial Wild Crawfish Survey,
and the Gulf Seafood and Processor Survey.
The Clean Vessel Program provides funds to owners of
recreational boating facilities for construction and reno-
vation of boat sewage disposal facilities. The purpose of
this program is to reduce overboard discharge of raw boat
sewage in Louisiana's waters by providing boaters with a
safe and convenient method to dispose of boat sewage.
Through the program, recreational boating facility own-
ers are reimbursed up to 75 percent of the costs of
approved activities. Funds are also used to develop and
distribute educational and promotional materials to
encourage boaters to use these facilities and to promote
environmentally responsible behavior. Clean Vessel activ-
ities in fiscal year 2009-2010 included:
• Entering into an agreement with Moon Lake Resort
Partnership to renovate an existing boat sewage
pumpout facility on the Ouachita River, located
north of Monroe in Ouachita Parish.
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107
• Distributing educational information and promotional
items at the following events: National Hunting and
Fishing Day in Baton Rouge in September 2009; the
Girl Scout Extravaganza event held in Westwego on
September 26, 2009; the Rollin' Buccaneer RV Club
Fourth Annual Anniversary event held in New
Orleans on Jan. 15-17, 2010; the 2010 Louisiana
Environmental Education Symposium held in Baton
Rouge on Feb. 26-27, 2010; and the Contraband
Bayou Annual Cleanup held at the Bowtie Marina in
Lake Charles on April 24, 2010.
• The placement of a clean vessel public notice in the
2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations encouraging
boaters to properly dispose of their boat sewage at
available boat sewage disposal facilities located
throughout the state.
• Partnering with the Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources to promote the Clean Marina and the
Clean Vessel Program throughout the coastal zone of
Louisiana.
A cooperative research data collection program was
implemented in May 2009 to measure the impact and
monitor the recovery of Louisiana's seafood industry
from the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes. In the spring of 2009,
program application forms were mailed to 4,427 fisher-
men and 395 dealers to measure interest in participating
in the Cooperative Research Program. In fiscal year
2009-2010, surveys were mailed to 3,249 commercial
fishermen and to 328 seafood dealers who applied to par-
ticipate in the program.
During fiscal year 2009-2010, multiple workshops were
held by LDWF economists across Louisiana to assist
fishermen with completing surveys and applications to
participate in the program. Meetings were also held
between LDWF economists and the South Central
Planning and Development staff, a company contracted to
assist LDWF with this project's data collection efforts.
The meetings with the South Central Planning and
Development staff were to develop and improve skills
necessary to assist fishermen and dealers complete the
survey over the phone or in person.
As of June 2009, approximately 2,900 fishermen surveys
and 303 dealer surveys had been submitted by partici-
pants. Of these surveys, 2,291 fishermen and 281 dealer
surveys had been reviewed for completeness. It is expect-
ed that more surveys will be submitted by the end of
2010. After a survey has been reviewed and deemed com-
plete, the information is scanned into a database for anal-
ysis. The scanning and database development process is
expected to be completed in 2011, and a final report is
expected to be completed and published in 2012.
As part of an economic assistance program administered
by the Office of Fisheries Marine Division, the SRD
Section conducted a survey of marinas that serve recre-
ational boaters and anglers in coastal Louisiana. Over 60
marinas were selected for participation in the survey by
the LDWF Marine Fisheries Division. The survey was
designed to estimate marinas' revenues and operating
expenses, to assess damages associated with the 2005 and
2008 hurricanes, and to determine their current needs and
plans for future operations.
Questionnaires were first mailed in February 2009.
Completed questionnaires continued to come from mari-
nas in 2010. As of July 2010, a total of 58 surveys had
been received. A final report of the results of the survey
is expected in 2011.
In collaboration with GSMFC and NOAA economists,
the SRD staff designed and conducted a Gulf of Mexico
State Waters' Shrimpers Survey to assess shrimp harvest-
ing activities and expenses of commercial fishermen in
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. The
four-page questionnaire was mailed in May 2009 and was
printed in both English and Vietnamese translations. Five
hundred and eighty-five surveys have been returned, and
a report of the findings of this survey is expected to be
completed in 2011.
On July 23, 2008, a shipping accident in the Mississippi
River in New Orleans caused an oil spill that affected
fishing and other recreational activities in and south of
New Orleans. SRD staff assisted in the assessment of the
damage associated with the incident by identifying
resources that may have been affected by the spill, sug-
gesting methods for assessing the damage, and designing
survey methods and instruments. Staff from SRD also
served as trustees representing LDWF in consultations
with representatives of NOAA and the Louisiana Oil Spill
Coordinators Office.
In September 2009, SRD staff participated in Resource
Equivalency Analysis training with staff from the
Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office and other state
agencies.
SRD staff participated in conference calls discussing the
assessment of damages to recreational fishing resources
in February, March and April 2010.
In the fall of 2009, the SRD Section and LDWF
Enforcement Division cooperated to develop and imple-
ment a survey of boat owners with a focus on their use of
personal flotation device and their perceptions of regula-
tions related to their use. In October 2009, the SRD
Section mailed 2,000 questionnaires to Louisiana resident
motorboat registration holders. We received 1,292
returned questionnaires and 28 non-deliverable surveys
for a response rate of 65.5 percent. A report based on the
assessment of this survey was completed in March 2010.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
In early 2010, the SRD Section cooperated with LDWF
Inland Fisheries Division staff to develop a survey of
Louisiana resident commercial wild crawfish harvesters
to assess their perceptions of selected hypothetical chang-
es in crawfish harvesting policies, rules and regulations.
Questionnaires were mailed to 1,142 Louisiana resident
commercial fishermen who were identified as having sold
crawfish between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, using
LDWF trip ticket landings data. With only one mailing,
the survey received 470 completed questionnaires and 13
non-deliverable surveys for a response rate of 42 percent.
A report based on the assessment of this survey was com-
pleted in March 2010.
In March 2010, the SRD Section and GSMFC worked
together to design a dealer and processor survey to assess
the economic impact of the seafood industry at local and
regional levels in Gulf of Mexico (Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas). This questionnaire
will be tested in the fall of 2010 and the survey is antici-
pated to be implemented in 2011. The purpose of the sur-
vey is to provide policy-makers, trade associations and
others involved in this industry with a better understand-
ing of how this sector works and how important the sea-
food processing, wholesaling and distribution industry is
to local and regional economies throughout the Gulf
region.
PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS &
PRESENTATIONS
Isaacs, Jack C., Louisiana Senior Anglers Report, Baton
Rouge: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
July 2009.
Isaacs, Jack C., "A Presentation on Selected Trends in
Shrimp Harvesting, Processing, and Imports,"
Presentation at the Cameron Shrimp Summit, Cameron,
La., Sept. 16, 2009.
Isaacs, Jack C., "A Presentation to the Louisiana Shrimp
Task Force on Industry Trends," Presentation at the
Louisiana Shrimp Task Force Meeting, Baton rouge, La.,
Sept. 28, 2009.
Isaacs, Jack C., "The Economics of Wildlife and Fisheries
Resources in Louisiana: Sources and Conclusions,"
Presentation at the LSU School for Renewal Resources,
Baton Rouge, La., September 2009.
Bucker, Michael, "Revenue Generated by Shrimp Excise
Tax," Presentation at the Louisiana Shrimp Taskforce
Meeting, Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 16, 2009.
Ogunyinka, E.O. and D.R. Lavergne, "On the Valuation
of Louisiana Inland Waters for Recreational Fishing,"
Selected Paper for the AFS Annual Meeting, Baton
Rouge, La., Jan. 28-29, 2010.
Bharadwaj, Latika and David Lavergne, "Louisiana
Shrimp Industry: Trends from 2000-2007: Are there
Signs of Recovery from the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
in 2005?," Presentation at American Fisheries Society
meetings, Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 28-29, 2010.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law
Enforcement Division and Socioeconomic Research and
Development Section, 2010 Statistical Report and
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Survey, Baton Rouge:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, March
2010.
Isaacs, Jack C., and David R. Lavergne, Louisiana
Commercial Crawfish Harvesters Survey Report, Baton
Rouge: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
March 2010.
Buckner, Michael and David Lavergne, "Comparison of
Research Triangle Institute Proposal to Issues Identified
at the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference," Oyster
Post Harvest Treatment Workshop, Baton Rouge, La.,
March 4, 2010.
Miller, Alex, and Jack C. Isaacs, "2009 Economic Survey
of the Inshore Shrimp Fleet: Preliminary Results,"
Presentation at the Gulf State Fisheries Economics
Workshop, Orange Beach, Ala., March 9-10, 2010.
Bharadwaj, Latika, "Seafood Value Chains: Seafood
Dealer and Processor Survey," Presentation at the
GSMFC Annual Spring Meeting, Orange Beach, Ala.
March 8-11, 2010.
Ogunyinka, E. O. and D. R. Lavergne, "Efficiency of
Sharing Methods for Government Disaster Payments: The
Case of Hurricanes and Louisiana Commercial Fisheries
Participants," Selected Paper for the SWEA Annual
Meeting, Houston, Texas, March 31 - April 3, 2010.
Bharadwaj, Latika and David Lavergne, "Coastal
Louisiana Parishes: Trends and Signs of Recovery in
Shrimp Industry from Hurricane Katrina and Rita," poster
presented at CNREP 2010 conference (Challenges of
Natural Resource Economics & Policy: The Third
National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal
Systems), New Orleans, La., May 26-28, 2010.
Liese, Christopher, Jack C. Isaacs, and Alex Miller,
"Economic Status, Performance, and Impacts of the Gulf
of Mexico Shrimp Fishery in 2008," Presentation at the
Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy's
Third National Forum on Socioeconomic Research and
Coastal Systems, New Orleans, La., May 28, 2010.
REPRESENTATION ON TASK FORCES,
STUDY GROUPS & COMMITTEES
During fiscal year 2009-2010, SRD staff members repre-
sented LDWF on the following task forces, study groups
and committees:
• GSMFC Disaster Recovery Program Committee
• GSMFC Arenarius Technical Task Force
• Louisiana Recreational Saltwater Fishing Task Force
www.wlf.louisiana.gov
109
• LDWF Marine Fisheries Information Systems
Proposal Committee
• DM932 Oil Spill Assessment Trustees
• GSMFC FIN Social/Economic Work Group
• Louisiana Blue Crab Task Force
• Louisiana Clean Marina Program Committee
• Louisiana Ozone Action Committee
• Louisiana State Seafood Industry Advisory Board
• Louisiana Wild Crawfish Task Force
• MSC 252 (BP Oil Spill) Human Use Technical Work
Group Trustees
• Socioeconomic Panel of the Gulf of Mexico
Fisheries Management Council
• Socioeconomic Section of the American Fisheries
Society
• Technical Advisory Committee for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service's National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
• Louisiana Recreational Freshwater Fishing Task
Force
• Data Management System Proposal Review
Committee
