Colonels generate strong signing class
December 19, 2018
The trout are here!
December 19, 2018
Let us explain… Special exemption is allowing for some of the fish to be caught until Dec. 31.
The 2018 red snapper season is over to the general public.
But there still are limited opportunities to catch the prized fish, thanks to an agreement struck between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
The two groups are teaming up to promote a special red snapper season for wounded and disabled military veterans — a season that will run through Dec. 31 in the state for recreational fishing.
When Louisiana’s public season closed on Aug. 12, we were still almost 6,000 pounds short of reaching the 743,000-pound quote set for recreational fishing of red snapper. The remaining quota will be available to wounded and disabled military veterans who obtain a permit. Catches will be limited to state waters out to nine nautical miles from shore.
The agreement was announced in November and at press-time, the weight quota still had not been met, so the season continues on into the winter.
“We can never do enough to thank our veterans for their service to our country, but we’ll always try,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a staunch supporter of the expanded season. “I think our veterans will enjoy having the chance to catch the popular red snapper. I am proud to work with LDWF and LDVA on this joint effort and I hope our wounded veterans who sacrificed so much for our country, will have a great time on their fishing trips. They deserve it and it is a great way to ensure that we catch our full allotment of red snapper in 2018.”
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet, a veteran himself, of the United States Marines, said he thinks the idea for the expanded season to show appreciation for veterans is a great thing. He said Gov. Edwards put his full and complete support behind the plan as soon as it was presented to him.
“He said, ‘Let’s make it happen,’” Montoucet said of his talks with Gov. Edwards.
But the reality is that the season wouldn’t be possible if not for the responsible fishing efforts of the Louisiana people and also of management agencies to make sure that our catch amounts were under control.
Montoucet thanked every, single Louisiana fisherman for cooperating with management of snapper throughout the season — especially after the state was granted the ability to set its own season dates and limits.
Those responsible tactics showed that the state can police itself from overfishing, which has been a controversial topic surrounding snapper for 20 years.
“Our anglers did such a good job helping our agency manage the red snapper catch numbers earlier this year that now, we are in a position to do something good for our wounded veterans and I could not be happier,” Montoucet said. “With less than 6,000 pounds of red snapper quota left over after the regular fishing season, it was not enough to re-open the season even for one day to the entire recreational fishing community. But this opportunity allows veterans to help us fully reach our 2018 red snapper fishing quota.”
LDVA Secretary Joey Strickland said he agreed with Montoucet and Gov. Edwards’ words, saying that the opportunity at an expanded season was special, because many wounded veterans are in need of a positive escape.
“Healing through nature and activities in the outdoors, like fishing, has been proven to be beneficial to Veterans,” Strickland said. “We are grateful to Governor John Bel Edwards for his continued support of Louisiana’s Veterans and to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for giving the men and women who’ve served our country an opportunity for camaraderie and relaxation through these fishing opportunities.”
To fish in the expanded season, a permit must be issued through LDWF staff. Anyone wishing to assist with this special opportunity for veterans can contact Collette Foret with the Wounded War Heroes organization via email at info@woundedwarheroes.org. Please include “red snapper” in the subject line of the email. •
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