Spillway has effect on La. marine life

Recent high water activity in Louisiana and the opening of the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway west of New Orleans are having a noticeable effect on the state’s supply of oysters, shrimp, crab and finfish, according to preliminary assessments from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Those results come from the monitoring of commercial harvests using data available (as of June 6) to show oysters on public water-bottoms and landings have declined 80 percent from the average year-to-date, and 89 percent below the average for March-April. Statewide brown and white shrimp landings combined declined 36 percent for March, and 63 percent for April, when compared to the five-year average. Finfish prelims show landings down for black drum; 53 percent in the Vermilion-Tech basin; down 43 percent year-to-date in the Calcasieu basin; and commercial black drum landings down 31 percent from 2019. LDWF is monitoring salinities, and the abundance of fish and shellfish in all the major estuaries of the coast. LDWF biologists continue to monitor the flooding impacts on fishery and wildlife resources resulting from the Bonnet Carré Spillway openings order by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The impact on fish and animals related to the spillway openings and other high water events won’t be known for months. Data continues to be collected and analyzed by both state and federal agencies. (For more a complete list of findings, please view the LDWF preliminary report at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/floodinfo) (Source: La. Wildlife & Fisheries 06/11/19)