LDWF monitoring spillway re-opening

The Bonne Carre’ Spillway in Louisiana opened May 10 for an historic second time this year, while the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) continued its biological monitoring of fish and wildlife resources related to the first spillway opening. LDWF is cooperatively monitoring the effects of freshwater inputs from the spillway openings on Louisiana’s oyster, shrimp, and crab resources, as well as potential impacts on federally managed marine mammal and sea turtle populations. LDWF is part of a multi-agency group monitoring the effects of freshwater introduction resulting from the first and second opening of the spillway. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the lead agency charged with monitoring marine mammals and sea turtles and LDWF has assisted NOAA in this regard. (Source: LDWF 05/10/19)