- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
0
Posted on 1/14/26 at 1:29 pm to Dulacrat
Here is the letter I'm sending.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email / Phone]
[Date]
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission
c/o Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Subject: Request to Expand Coastwide Menhaden (Pogie) Fisheries Buffer Zone to One Mile
Dear Members of the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission,
I am writing to respectfully request that the Commission consider expanding the buffer zone for commercial menhaden (pogies) harvest to one mile from the Louisiana shoreline. Scientific research, fisheries data, and current industry structure support stronger spatial protections in nearshore waters to sustain Louisiana’s ecosystems and coastal economies.
Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) are a foundational forage fish species that transfer energy from plankton to larger predators such as red drum, speckled trout, king mackerel, and coastal birds. Their abundance strongly influences the health and productivity of the Gulf’s nearshore fishery communities. Scientific literature emphasizes the ecological importance of menhaden and the benefits of spatial protections to maintain healthy forage fish populations and food webs.
As you know, menhaden harvest in U.S. waters is dominated by a single corporate entity. Cooke Inc., a Canadian family-owned global seafood company, is the parent of Omega Protein Corporation, which owns and operates the majority of menhaden harvesting vessels on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Cooke acquired Omega Protein, including its fleet of menhaden vessels, in 2017.
Cooke Inc. has also expanded its seafood business into other sectors. In 2019, Cooke acquired Seajoy Seafood Corporation, one of the largest vertically integrated shrimp farming operations in Latin America, with farms and processing facilities in Honduras and Nicaragua. This acquisition broadened the company’s footprint significantly beyond wild fisheries into global shrimp production.
Many Louisiana shrimpers and coastal fishermen may not be fully aware that the same corporate family that controls a substantial portion of the menhaden fishery also owns large commercial shrimp farms abroad. While private sector diversification is a standard business practice, this linkage highlights how profits from Louisiana’s forage fish harvest ultimately support a multinational seafood enterprise with interests beyond our local wild fisheries.
Expanding the nearshore buffer zone to one mile would ensure that Louisiana’s coastal and fishing communities — shrimpers, charter captains, recreational anglers, and commercial trap fishermen — have stronger protections for the forage base that supports their livelihoods. Protecting nearshore waters from intensive reduction fishing helps sustain predator fish populations and reduces competition for local fishermen whose families depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
Scientific and economic analyses show that ecosystem-based management, including spatial buffer zones, enhances resilience and supports sustainable fisheries, particularly in regions facing multiple environmental stressors. A one-mile buffer would build on the conservation benefits demonstrated by existing offshore protection efforts, reduce user conflicts, and align Louisiana with precautionary ecosystem management practices.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for your ongoing commitment to conserving Louisiana’s natural resources.
Respectfully,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email / Phone]
[Date]
Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission
c/o Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Subject: Request to Expand Coastwide Menhaden (Pogie) Fisheries Buffer Zone to One Mile
Dear Members of the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission,
I am writing to respectfully request that the Commission consider expanding the buffer zone for commercial menhaden (pogies) harvest to one mile from the Louisiana shoreline. Scientific research, fisheries data, and current industry structure support stronger spatial protections in nearshore waters to sustain Louisiana’s ecosystems and coastal economies.
Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) are a foundational forage fish species that transfer energy from plankton to larger predators such as red drum, speckled trout, king mackerel, and coastal birds. Their abundance strongly influences the health and productivity of the Gulf’s nearshore fishery communities. Scientific literature emphasizes the ecological importance of menhaden and the benefits of spatial protections to maintain healthy forage fish populations and food webs.
As you know, menhaden harvest in U.S. waters is dominated by a single corporate entity. Cooke Inc., a Canadian family-owned global seafood company, is the parent of Omega Protein Corporation, which owns and operates the majority of menhaden harvesting vessels on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Cooke acquired Omega Protein, including its fleet of menhaden vessels, in 2017.
Cooke Inc. has also expanded its seafood business into other sectors. In 2019, Cooke acquired Seajoy Seafood Corporation, one of the largest vertically integrated shrimp farming operations in Latin America, with farms and processing facilities in Honduras and Nicaragua. This acquisition broadened the company’s footprint significantly beyond wild fisheries into global shrimp production.
Many Louisiana shrimpers and coastal fishermen may not be fully aware that the same corporate family that controls a substantial portion of the menhaden fishery also owns large commercial shrimp farms abroad. While private sector diversification is a standard business practice, this linkage highlights how profits from Louisiana’s forage fish harvest ultimately support a multinational seafood enterprise with interests beyond our local wild fisheries.
Expanding the nearshore buffer zone to one mile would ensure that Louisiana’s coastal and fishing communities — shrimpers, charter captains, recreational anglers, and commercial trap fishermen — have stronger protections for the forage base that supports their livelihoods. Protecting nearshore waters from intensive reduction fishing helps sustain predator fish populations and reduces competition for local fishermen whose families depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
Scientific and economic analyses show that ecosystem-based management, including spatial buffer zones, enhances resilience and supports sustainable fisheries, particularly in regions facing multiple environmental stressors. A one-mile buffer would build on the conservation benefits demonstrated by existing offshore protection efforts, reduce user conflicts, and align Louisiana with precautionary ecosystem management practices.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for your ongoing commitment to conserving Louisiana’s natural resources.
Respectfully,
[Your Full Name]
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:34 pm to CHEDBALLZ
quote:
CHEDBALLZ
EXCELLENT content and delivery.
Nailed the big points well.
Also call your state rep and senator and give them this perspective too. Tell them we need their focus on this issue at the Capitol.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:41 pm to CHEDBALLZ
They’ll wipe their arse with any letters against their Masters.
We need to replicate what every state has done to boot their arse out of state waters.
Trying to go through La WL&F is futile and waste precious resources (looking at YOU Cca). This battle has to be waged in the legislature and legislative districts from north to south, east to west.
We need a legislator or legislators to carry the water in BR, then the voters can ride their guys arse to vote for an amendment to increase the buffer zone. Gotta beat these MF’r at the ballot box cause we can’t beat them on Quail Dr.
We need to replicate what every state has done to boot their arse out of state waters.
Trying to go through La WL&F is futile and waste precious resources (looking at YOU Cca). This battle has to be waged in the legislature and legislative districts from north to south, east to west.
We need a legislator or legislators to carry the water in BR, then the voters can ride their guys arse to vote for an amendment to increase the buffer zone. Gotta beat these MF’r at the ballot box cause we can’t beat them on Quail Dr.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:44 pm to KemoSabe65
Great idea Kemosabe. Will you be leading the charge?
Posted on 1/14/26 at 3:08 pm to craazyjose
I’ll have a list of reps on the natural resources commission tomorrow.
Will also start investigating how the eastern seaboard states took the fight to the Pogie industry.
I am a peon inside CCA and have never had much traction when it comes to major issues (I like throwing bombs). Many on the state board prefer a kinder-gentler approach (took ten years to eliminate oyster dredging in big lake with this approach).
Will also start investigating how the eastern seaboard states took the fight to the Pogie industry.
I am a peon inside CCA and have never had much traction when it comes to major issues (I like throwing bombs). Many on the state board prefer a kinder-gentler approach (took ten years to eliminate oyster dredging in big lake with this approach).
Posted on 1/14/26 at 8:22 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
I am a peon inside CCA and have never had much traction when it comes to major issues (I like throwing bombs). Many on the state board prefer a kinder-gentler approach (took ten years to eliminate oyster dredging in big lake with this approach).
I feel like I’m looking in the mirror
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:00 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
Many on the state board prefer a kinder-gentler approach
Thus frustrated me but after being involved a lot recently and talking to cca leadership and others (trcp) the cca has been reluctant to go scorched earth on the menhaden issue because it will risk ability to get cooperation on other things, like artificial reefs for example.
But this year things changed. The public is more educated and there is more desire in cca leadership to come out swinging now and press the menhaden issue. At least in my opinion.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:07 pm to WizardSleeve
Hopefully that is the case.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 2:50 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:Maybe their elected folks weren't on the take.
Will also start investigating how the eastern seaboard states took the fight to the Pogie industry.
Page 4 of 4
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News