LDWF: Meetings for SST management

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced dates for public meetings to be held on spotted seatrout (SST) management. The most recent stock assessment indicated spotted seatrout are overfished. Overfishing changes are necessary in order to recover the stock. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) indicated it would like to hear public input before considering management changes. No action is being taken at this time, but input is being gathered prior to potential rule changes. LDWF’s biological opinion is that a 20 percent reduction in harvest is needed in order to recover the stock by at least 2025. Management change options recently presented to the LWFC in January included creel limit only changes, minimum-size limit changes only, combined creel and minimum size limit changes, slot limit only changes, and combined slot limit and creel changes. Public meeting locations and dates via http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/43268