LOUISIANA

NEWS FROM THE LA. DEPT. OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
The Public Information Section of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is responsible for the distribution of LDWF news releases and the department's biweekly newsletter.

2009-MA04 (June 29, 2009)
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to Host
Grand Opening for $23 Million Research Lab in Grand Isle

WHEN: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 -- 10 a.m.
WHERE: 195 Ludwig Annex, Grand Isle, LA 70358

BACKGROUND: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will officially open its state-of-the-art, Fisheries Research Lab in Grand Isle on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10 a.m. State officials are also expected to make an announcement regarding road access to Elmer’s Island in Jefferson Parish.

Legislators, federal, state and local officials are scheduled to attend the ceremonies at the new lab. Following brief remarks from LDWF Secretary Robert Barham, Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Randy Pausina and Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle and an official ribbon-cutting opening the lab, Louisiana food and beverages will be served to those in attendance.
*This event is open to the public.

2009-197 (june 26, 2009)
SHRIMP SEASON TO CLOSE IN PORTIONS OF ZONE 1

The 2009 spring inshore shrimp season in Shrimp Management Zone 1 will close on Tuesday, June 30, at 6:00 a.m. except for the following portions of Zone 1:

Zone 1
• Lake Pontchartrain including Rigoletes Pass from the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain extending eastward to the western side of the CSX Railway Bridge

• Chef Menteur Pass from the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain southeasterly to the mouth of Lake Borgne

• That portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west; thence due south to a point at latitude 30 degrees 05 minutes 00.0 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west; thence southeasterly to a point on the western shore of Three-Mile Pass at latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 00.0 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 22 minutes 23.0 seconds west; thence northeasterly to a point on Isle Au Pitre at latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west, which is a point on the double–rig line as described in LA R.S. 56:495.1(A)2; thence northerly along the double–rig line to a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at latitude 30 degrees 12 minutes 37.9056 seconds north and longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds west; thence westerly along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary to the point of beginning

• The open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line (LA R.S.56:495.1)

Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur Pass, Rigolets Pass, a portion of Mississippi Sound and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds will remain open until further notice. Shrimp Management Zone III as well as state territorial waters seaward of the Inside/Outside shrimp line, as described in Louisiana R.S.56:495, will also remain open to shrimping.

Zone 1 includes state waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River.

The closure was announced today by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham and was based on recommendations made by LDWF Office of Fisheries biologists.

The number, distribution and percentage of small juvenile white shrimp within the areas to be closed have progressively increased in recent weeks and these waters are being closed to protect these developing shrimp. Brian Lezina, LDWF Biologist Manager, who supervises LDWF Office of Fisheries operations in the Lake Pontchartrain basin stated that “Despite this year’s shortened spring shrimp season, the season extension within Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, and portions of Mississippi, Breton and Chandeleur Sounds should provide added economic opportunities to shrimp fishermen targeting larger emigrating brown shrimp while limiting impacts to developing white shrimp populations found in shallower adjacent waters.” However, he cautioned that “all or portions of these waters would be closed if sample data and fisheries monitoring indicate unacceptable impacts to developing white shrimp populations or if law enforcement problems develop”.

2009-188 (June 22, 2009)
L.D.W.F. AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL PROGRAM INCREASING SALVINIA
WEEVIL POPULATION ON LAKE BISTINEAU

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) Office of Fisheries is moving large quantities of salvinia weevils into Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana as part of a multi-tiered treatment effort to slow the growth of giant salvinia. Lake Bistineau covers 17,200 acres just south of Doyline and is a popular fishing spot for bass and crappie.

“The process began this month and our long-range goal is to restore normal use and aesthetics of the lake for residents and visitors,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.

LDWF biologists and technicians plan to place at least 50,000 pounds of weevil-infested salvinia into the lake by the end of June. Those materials contain over one million adult weevils and between two and three million eggs and larvae. The floating colonies will be deposited into areas around the lake where salvinia has been growing for at least two years.

Fifty LDWF biologists and technicians from around the state have been involved in the effort that entails harvesting materials from a nursery pond in Lafourche Parish and transporting the weevils to Lake Bistineau. The LSU AgCenter has been raising the weevils in Gheens, La., as part of a cooperative effort between the agencies to find a method to control giant salvinia.

The weevil stocking program is one part of LDWF’s $7.9 million Aquatic Plant Control Program for fiscal year 2008-2009 to aggressively combat aquatic plants in the state’s waterways. Additional control measures planned for Lake Bistineau include the application of EPA-approved herbicides by contract applicators and LDWF employees and a lake drawdown immediately following Labor Day.

Giant salvinia, a free floating aquatic fern native to Brazil, has the potential to double in biomass every three to five days. It was discovered in Lake Bistineau in February of 2006. The lack of severe winter weather since 2001, with temperatures seldom below freezing for extended periods, has allowed the steady growth of all aquatic plants in the state.

A drawdown from July 2008 through January 2009 reduced the salvinia coverage from 4,500 acres to 850. Subsequent re-growth has increased the salvinia presence back to 4,300 acres as of the first week of June 2009. An increased weevil population on the lake is designed to significantly reduce the long-term presence of giant salvinia.

2009-186 (June 19, 2009)
L.D.W.F. CONFIRMS SWAINSON'S HAWK NESTING IN LOUISIANA

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Natural Heritage Program discovered Louisiana’s first nesting Swainson's hawk on June 9 near Holmwood.

Swainson's hawks are a fairly common breeding raptor in the western U.S., but have only been occurring with regular frequency in Louisiana in the past decade during the breeding and nesting season.

"We found an active Swainson's hawk nest with at least one medium sized chick inside, which irrefutably confirms nesting and breeding is taking place in Louisiana for the first time on record," said LDWF Ornithologist Michael Seymour. "This nest represents the first Swainson's hawk nest found in Louisiana with young. Repeated sightings of birds during this season suggest there may be several more nesting pairs in our state, with most nesting south of I-10 and west of Lafayette."

Readily identifiable by their immaculate white underwings with dark flight feathers, the long winged Swainson’s hawks only share open country in Southwest Louisiana with the more common red-tailed hawk, which also lacks the Swainson’s hawk’s dark chest band. After breeding season, Swainson’s hawks may congregate in large migrating flocks called kettles in the fall as they make their way to their primary wintering grounds in South America.

LSU Museum of Natural Science's Donna Dittmann and Steve Cardiff found an active Swainson's hawk nest in Louisiana in 2007. However, this nest was later found abandoned without producing young.

2009-185 (June 19, 2009)
TWO ROADS REMAIN CLOSED ON GRASSY LAKE W.M.A. DUE TO HIGH WATER

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are keeping two roads closed on the Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Area due to flooding from the Red River. All other roads on the WMA located in Avoyelles Parish are open.

The two roads that will remain closed are Cas Cas Road (also known as Grand Lake Road) and the Bayou Natchitoches Road that runs between the Bayou de Sot bridge and Smith Bay.

Camp owners impacted by the Cas Cas road closure can still detour through Brouillette via Hwy. 452.

Grassy Lake WMA visitors and camp owners may check with LDWF's Opelousas office for updates by calling 337-948-0255.

The temporary road closures were implemented for public safety and to minimize damage to the roadway. The roads will be re-opened once floodwaters recede.

There are no big or small game hunting seasons currently open within Grassy Lake WMA.

2009-182 (June 17, 2009)
SHRIMP SEASON TO CLOSE IN ZONE 2

The 2009 spring inshore shrimp season in Shrimp Management Zone 2 will close on Monday, June 22, at 6:00 a.m. Zone 2 includes state waters from the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River to the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island. Zones 1 and 3 will remain open until further notice. State territorial waters south of the Inside/Outside shrimp line, as described in LA R.S.56:495, will also remain open to shrimping.

Zone 1 includes state waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River and Zone 3 includes state waters from the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island to the Louisiana/Texas state line.

The closure was announced today by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham and was based on recommendations made by LDWF Office of Fisheries biologists.

The number, distribution and percentage of small juvenile white shrimp within the area to be closed have progressively increased in recent weeks. Analysis of current LDWF shrimp trawl sampling data indicates substantial white shrimp population increases this week and these waters are being closed to protect these developing shrimp.

2009-181 (June 16, 2009)
BLACK BEAR REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM COMES TO A CLOSE

The multi-agency Louisiana Black Bear Reintroduction Program in east-central Louisiana wrapped up its ninth and final year this spring. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Black Bear Conservation Committee, Louisiana State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services were involved with this program.

Since 2001, the project moved 48 adult female black bears with 104 cubs from the dense black bear population in the Tensas River Basin to the now suitable habitat called the Red River Complex totaling 179,604 acres that includes Grassy Lake, Red River, Three Rivers and Spring Bayou wildlife management areas and Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge.

The reintroduction project was put in place to help rebuild the historic population of black bears in Central Louisiana. The BBRP was also used to establish immigration and emigration corridors between the Tensas River Basin and the Red River Complex.

The female bears were moved every March with their newborn cubs, which are typically born in February of each year. Because the cubs are so young and unable to travel, adult bears’ maternal instincts overcome their homing instincts, which would normally move them to return to their home range. The female bears stay with their young cubs in the new environment, and by the time the cubs are old enough to move very far, the females have established a new home range and are comfortable in the new area.

The adult bears are outfitted with radio collars and other state-of-the-art equipment that allows researchers and agency personnel to know the whereabouts and activity level of each bear. Daily monitoring provides valuable information about how the bears are adapting to their new environment. These bears are closely followed throughout the hunting season to ensure their safety.

The Louisiana black bear was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1992.

Hunters on deer stands or walking through the woods in the vicinity might get a glimpse of one of these bears. A deer feeder is also more likely to attract a bear to a deer stand and increase the likelihood of an encounter. Bears are generally very shy animals and it is recommended that a person that encounters a bear wave his or her arms and shout to frighten the animal away.

Hunters are reminded that killing a bear is a state and federal offense with penalties up to $25,000 and one year in jail. There is also a reward offered for any information leading to the arrest of anybody harming a Louisiana black bear.

2009-176 (June 16, 2009)
L.D.W.F. TREATS TOLEDO BEND FOR AQUATIC WEEDS

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Office of Fisheries section treated 1,542 acres of invasive aquatic weeds on Toledo Bend from June 1-5.

LDWF used nine spray crews and 21 employees to broadcast 1,157 gallons of herbicide during the week.

LDWF concentrated their treatment efforts on giant salvinia on the upper half of the reservoir where the more serious problems were located. LDWF estimates that 80 percent of all the treated vegetation was giant salvinia. The remainder of the treated vegetation consisted of water hyacinth, alligator weed and torpedo grass.

"This recent effort along with previous treatments has created open water areas in locations that had been completely covered by vegetation for two years," said Ricky Yeldell, LDWF Inland Fisheries biologist manager at the Toledo Bend Research Station. "Initial post treatment inspections show good results."

LDWF expects this large-scale early season treatment in conjunction with the department’s ongoing herbicide applications as apart of their Aquatic Plant Control Program will prevent or greatly reduce vegetation problems later in the growing season.

The Sabine River Authority of Louisiana provided out of town LDWF spray crews with lodging. The Toledo Bend Lake Association and the Bi-State Alliance provided meals for LDWF employees.

2006-179 (June 16, 2009)
FISHING AND HUNTING RECREATIONAL LICENSES TO EXPIRE JUNE 30

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind the state’s recreational anglers and hunters that their 2008-09 licenses will expire on June 30.

Licenses for the 2009-10 seasons became available for purchase on June 1 and will be valid until June 30, 2010.

“Hunting or fishing without a valid license carries a $50 minimum fine,” said LDWF License Director Janis Landry. “LDWF wants to make sure that everybody is aware that all recreational licenses expire on June 30 of every year.”

Sportsmen now have several different ways to purchase or renew their licenses. They may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard credit card either by visiting www.wlf.louisiana.gov/licenses/onlinesales or calling 1-888-765-2602. Local license vendors also offer recreational hunting and fishing licenses. Licenses are also available at the LDWF Headquarters building in Baton Rouge and at LDWF field offices in Opelousas, Lake Charles, Pineville and Monroe.

2009-175 (June 15, 2009)
COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR LARGE COASTAL SHARKS
TO REMAIN CLOSED IN LOUISIANA WATERS

Commercial fishing for large coastal sharks, as defined by Louisiana rule (L.A.C. 76:VII.357), will remain closed in Louisiana waters.

A seasonal closure for all shark fisheries in Louisiana waters is currently in effect, and these fisheries were scheduled to re-open on July 1. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has closed the commercial fishery for large coastal sharks in the federal waters off of Louisiana and requested that Louisiana enact compatible regulations.

Therefore, LDWF Secretary Robert Barham has issued a Declaration of Emergency to continue the seasonal closure of the commercial large coastal shark fishery until the re-opening of that fishery in federal waters off of Louisiana.

During the announced closed season, all commercial harvest, possession, purchase, exchange, barter, trade, sale or attempts to purchase, exchange, barter, trade or sell of large coastal sharks are prohibited except for a Federal Shark Research Permit holder when legally operating under the rules of that permit.

The fishery in federal waters for harvesters possessing a Federal Shark Research Permit remains open. Therefore, this closure will not affect persons holding a Federal Shark Research Permit issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service when those persons are legally fishing under the regulations promulgated for that permit including that a NMFS approved observer is aboard the vessel.

Other shark seasons that are currently closed will re-open in Louisiana waters on July 1, including the recreational season, and the commercial seasons for the pelagic and small coastal shark species groups.

The large coastal shark group is composed of the great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, nurse shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, silky shark, spinner shark and tiger shark. However, persons recreationally fishing for shark may not take any sandbar or silky shark.

There is no allowable harvest at any time for all prohibited species, which include basking shark, white shark, bigeye sand tiger, sand tiger, whale shark, smalltooth sawfish, largetooth sawfish, Atlantic angel shark, Caribbean sharpnose shark, smalltail shark, bignose shark, Caribbean reef shark, dusky shark, Galapagos shark, narrowtooth shark, night shark, bigeye sixgill shark, bigeye thresher shark, longfin mako, sevengill shark and sixgill shark.

LDWF Secretary Robert Barham made the decision under the authority given by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in its rule LAC 76:VII.357.M.2, which allows the secretary to declare a closed season.

2009-166 (June 5, 2009)
L.D.W.F. TO BEGIN ROTENONE APPLICATION JUNE 9 IN PORT SULPHUR AREA
AS TILAPIA RAPID RESPONSE PLAN MOVES FORWARD

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will move forward with plans for treatment of tilapia in Plaquemines Parish waterways on June 9.

LDWF Office of Fisheries staff will utilize the fish-specific toxicant rotenone to remove the exotic species from an area north and south of Port Sulphur along LA Hwy. 23. Working within an area that has been closed to commercial and recreational since May 5, biologists and technicians will target drainage ditches, and all public and private waters bounded on the north by St. Jude Road, on the east by the Mississippi River main levee, on the south by Milan Drive and on the west by the back levee of the drainage ditch.

During the closure, no person has been allowed to take or possess or attempt to take any species of fish from waters within the closed area. No person can possess while on the waters of the closed area any fishing gear capable of taking fish. The area remains closed to fishing until reopened by the LDWF Secretary.

Rotenone, a naturally derived fish toxicant, is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and will biodegrade within four days within the waterways where it is used. Once tilapia removal has been verified, LDWF plans to re-stock area waterbodies with indigenous species.

For more information on the fishing closure and tilapia, visit the LDWF web file www.wlf.louisiana.gov/tilapia. Any fisherman landing a tilapia, outside of the closure area, is asked to contact LDWF’s Office of Fisheries by phone or e-mail at 225-763-5415 or hfox@wlf.la.gov.

2009-165 (June 5, 2009)
OYSTER TASK FORCE HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force Health Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 on the third floor of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters building located at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.

Topics of discussion:

1. Merging of Trip Ticket reports from LDWF with the Time-Temperature log sheets from Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
2. Instructions on educating the harvesters and dealers prior to obtaining a commercial license. (John Supan)
3. Air and water temp starting at 3 a.m. to be discussed
4. Sabine Lake discussion
5. Discussion of overlaying Areas, Seasonal Closures and Longitudes/Latitudes…

2009-159 (June 2, 2009)
L.D.W.F. AND A.T.C. WORKING TO CURB UNDERAGE DRINKING ON STATE WATERWAYS

Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) Commissioner Murphy J. Painter and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham have announced a second year of joint enforcement efforts targeting underage drinking on the state’s waterways.

LDWF Enforcement Division agents and ATC agents will combine forces on the water in an effort to increase public awareness of the dangers of mixing alcohol and boating. The LDWF/ATC team patrols will focus in particular on underage drinking and illegal possession of alcohol. A study of fatal boating accidents from 2005 through 2008 revealed that drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in 23 percent of those accidents. Statistics also show that 10 percent of people who died in these accidents were 13 to 19 years of age.

“With summer fast approaching and school terms ending, the waterways around the state will soon see a spike in traffic. We want to ensure that everyone who consumes alcohol on the water does so legally and safely,” said Commissioner Painter. “Whether on land or on the water, if you're under 21 and in possession of alcohol, you are breaking the law.”

There are many alcoholic beverage retailers statewide that are accessible by boat; which is another reason ATC has agents on the water. “Those retailers that have water access need to be extra diligent in their efforts to stop underage people from obtaining alcoholic beverages,” said Commissioner Painter. “Selling and serving alcoholic beverages to underage persons is illegal, as is purchasing alcoholic beverages on behalf of someone under 21 years of age.”

“We believe these tag team boat patrols have a positive impact,” said LDWF Secretary Barham. “Our common goal is to reduce underage drinking and create a safe boating environment on all our state waterways.”

The two-year partnership has coincided with National Boating Safety Week, which began on May 16 this year. “We have extended our efforts beyond Boating Safety Week,” Commissioner Painter said. “ATC will continue to work with Wildlife and Fisheries throughout the summer months in the interest of public safety.”

2009-160 (June 2, 2009)
BP AMERICA DONATIONS PROVIDE L.D.W.F. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has received donations from BP America that include property for a new regional office in Lake Charles and a solar-powered, all-terrain vehicle for use in habitat management.

“We are pleased to accept these generous donations on behalf of the staff who serve our citizens in the southwest corner of the state,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.

In a ceremony at the June 1 America’s Energy Coast Leadership Hearing in Lake Charles, LDWF Secretary Robert Barham accepted the donations from BP’s Mike Cole, resource development manager.

“On behalf of BP employees and retirees across all of Louisiana, I am proud to make this 10-acre land donation, and to donate this zero emission BP Solar Utility Vehicle, outfitted with BP solar panels, to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,” said Cole. “We feel that these donations demonstrate BP’s emphasis on ‘No Harm to the Environment’, and our continued desire to work hand in hand with the State of Louisiana on environmental and land conservation programs.”

LDWF has designated the 10-acre tract of land within the Lake Charles city limits as the future site of the agency’s Region 5 office. Located near the Power Center Parkway, the property donation is valued at $500,000. When complete, the office will house the agency’s Enforcement Division, Office of Wildlife and Office of Fisheries staff. LDWF still must secure capital outlay funding to build the facility.

The all-terrain BP Solar Utility Vehicle will be utilized by agency technicians and biologist staff for habitat management, and will be housed at Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish.

BP’s property donations to the state since 2002 include the 71,000-acre White Lake property in Vermilion Parish that LDWF now manages as a wetland conservation area.

2009-161 (June 2, 2009)
NUTRIA INCENTIVE PROGRAM ENDS WITH 334,038 HARVESTED

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) annual Coastwide Nutria Control Program concluded its 2008-09 season on March 31, 2009 with 262 participants having harvested 334,038 nutria.

The harvest began on the first day of trapping season, Nov. 20, 2008. The goal of the program, funded by the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act, is to reduce or eliminate damage to Louisiana’s wetlands caused by nutria by increasing the annual harvest to 400,000 nutria. Registered participants received a $5 incentive for each nutria tail brought to official collection locations along Louisiana’s coast.

The program area is bounded on the north by Interstate 10 from the Texas line to Baton Rouge, Interstate 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell, and I-10 from Slidell to the Mississippi line.

Licensed trappers harvested 25,826 more nutria than last year, bringing the total harvested during the seven years the program has been conducted to 1,790,829. The project goal is consistent with the Coast 2050 common strategy of controlling herbivore damage to coastal wetlands caused by nutria.

The majority of nutria harvested this year were in the south central portion of the state. The highest harvest occurred in Terrebonne Parish with 75,587 nutria, followed by Lafourche (48,252 nutria), St. Martin Parish (44,972 nutria), Plaquemines Parish (42,212 nutria), St. Mary Parish 34,811 (nutria) and St. Charles Parish (21,215 nutria).

LDWF assessed the amount and severity of the nutria damage for 2009 during aerial surveys conducted in April and May. A final report on the 2008-09 incentive program and aerial surveys will be available in July at the following Web sites:

www.nutria.com and www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

Information was collected from each participant to determine the method of take, carcass use, and harvest date and location. This information along with the harvest maps and aerial survey data is used to track the progress of the program.

2009-162 (June 2, 2009)
A NEW ORLEANS VIEUX TO DO, THREE FESTIVALS, ONE WEEKEND

On June 13 and 14 in New Orleans there will be a celebration going on in the French Market, a celebration of Louisiana’s culture, seafood, music and Creole Tomatoes. The 2009 New Orleans Vieux to Do, three festivals, one weekend, one location and one heck of a good time.

“The Louisiana Seafood Festival is excited to once again partner with the French Market Creole Tomato Festival and the Cajun/Zydeco Festival,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board (LSPMB). “By hosting our festivals simultaneously, visitors can enjoy all three events inside the French Market.”

The 2009 Louisiana Seafood Festival has 11 food vendors serving up a variety of dishes that are certain to please festival goers. Louisiana shrimp, alligator, fish, blue crab or crawfish, the festival has it all.

Visitors will see some Louisiana classics, such as shrimp etouffée from G.W. Fins, and a Louisiana fried shrimp platter from the Original New Orleans Sno-balls and Po’boys. For the more adventurous eater, there is Vietnamese shrimp toast with a spicy tomato glaze from NOLA Restaurant and one of last year’s festival favorites from Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, the build your own creole tomato.

While you are busy deciding which food booth to go to next, there will be plenty of great live music to keep you entertained. There will be two stages and two days of music, sponsored by the Cajun/Zydeco Festival. This year’s talent includes Amanda Shaw, Terrance Simien, Sunpie and the La. Sunspots, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and many others.

Within the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, some of New Orleans’ chefs will be doing some entertaining of their own at the cooking demonstration stages. Chef Chris Montero of Bacco, Chef Glen Hogh of Vega Tapas and Chef Ryan Hughes of Café Degas are just a few of the chefs who will be showing off their culinary creations.

Sponsors for this year’s Louisiana Seafood Festival include the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, OMNI BANK, Coca-Cola, Rouses Supermarkets and Budweiser.

The festivals will be open 11a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. Festival entrance is free of charge and the entire family is welcome.

For more information, including the complete list of Louisiana Seafood Festival food vendors, menu items and the music schedule, please visit www.LouisianaSeafoodFestival.com or call 504-286-8735.

2009-163 (June 2, 2009)
FREE FISHING AND DAY IN THE PARK OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND

The Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Office of State Parks (OSP) are encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities available during 2009 Free Fishing Weekend (June 6-7) and statewide “Day in the Park” activities on June 6.

The normally required Louisiana recreational fishing license for anglers 16 years of age and older will not be needed on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7 only. Residents and visitors to the state can take advantage of the offer. Fishermen are reminded that standard state fishing regulations pertaining to fish size and creel limits are in effect through the weekend.

OSP is showcasing all State Parks on June 6 as part of the agency’s 75th Anniversary Celebration with open day-use access to all facilities. Most State Parks provide day-use facilities that include picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing piers and boat ramps. The standard day-use charge will be waived on the first Saturday in June.

Both agencies are promoting easy access fishing opportunities that include bank and pier fishing for individuals and families who may not have boat access to fishing spots. Licensed recreational fishermen are encouraged to take someone fishing who is new to the sport or who has not participated in some time.

First time fishermen and parents or guardians with children can introduce someone to the sport at family fishing events scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following State Parks (SP): Bayou Segnette SP, Westwego; Chicot SP, Ville Platte; Fontainebleau SP, Mandeville; Lake Claiborne SP, Homer; Poverty Point Reservoir SP, Delhi; and Sam Houston Jones SP, Lake Charles.

OSP Interpretive Ranger staff and LDWF Education staff will provide assistance for park visitors on June 6 within the day-use areas at the family fishing event sites. Fishing supplies (poles and bait) will be available in limited supplies on a first come, first serve basis. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gear and enjoy the day fishing from a pier or bank-side location.

Complimentary gift bags will be available for the first 200 participants to sign in within the day-use area at each park. Everyone who signs in will also receive a chance at winning door prizes to be drawn for at noon.

Family fishing event participants are urged to bring a picnic lunch and soft drinks and spend the day. Vending machines on site provide soft drinks, but no food service is available at State Park sites. All children (under age 15) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Free day-use access on June 6 will also be available at these State Parks: Chemin-A-Haut, Cypremort Point, Fairview-Riverside, Grand Isle, Jimmie Davis, Lake Bistineau, Lake Bruin, Lake D’Arbonne, Lake Fausse Pointe, North Toledo Bend, St. Bernard, South Toledo Bend and Tickfaw.

For more information on these events and directions to any Louisiana State Park, visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/DWFFreeFishingWeekend.aspx.

2009-164 (June 2, 2009)
CHEF TORY MCPHAIL OF COMMANDER’S PALACE IS THE NEW LOUISIANA SEAFOOD KING

Louisiana is known for its multitude of delicious seafood and talented chefs, but there can only be one King of Louisiana Seafood and at Saturday’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Chef Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace was awarded the title. The 2008 Louisiana Seafood King, Chef Brian Landry of Galatoire’s, was there to hand over his crown to the new king.

McPhail came in first place for his Louisiana Seafood Mixed Grill, which was grilled black drum, wild shrimp and blue crab over sliced creole tomatoes, basil and grilled corn butter. Coming in second place was Chef Nathan Gresham of Galatoire’s Bistro in Baton Rouge for his sautéed red snapper with charred corn, bacon spring onions and Louisiana crawfish with a creole tomato and saffron butter sauce. In third place was Chef Matthew Beaudin of Le Café at L’Auberge Du Lac for his pan seared amberjack and forbidden black rice in a saffron citrus sauce.

The other participating chefs were Jack Jennings, kitchen manager for La Mestiza in Prairieville; Minh Le, executive chef for Spahr’s Seafood Co. in Houma; Chris Lusk, executive chef for Café Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar in New Orleans; John Salmon, chef instructor for Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City; and Tom Wolfe, executive chef and proprietor for Wolfe’s on Rampart in New Orleans

The judge’s for the 2009 Louisiana Seafood Cook-off were Tommy Simmons, food editor for the Baton Rouge Advocate; Kendall Gensler, editor and publisher for Culinary Concierge Magazine; Charley Gibson, principle owner of Charley G’s in Lafayette; Anne Parr, assistant professor at John Folse Culinary Institute; and Chef David Slater, chef de cuisine for Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans.

“The cadre of chefs proved quite a challenge for the judges to render a decision,” said Gensler. “But, it was the simplicity and fresh flavors of Tory McPhail's mixed seafood grill that stole the show. Tory matched black drum, wild Louisiana shrimp and blue crab with the bright, local flavors of summer: creole tomatoes, sweet corn and basil - Louisiana all the way!”

McPhail will represent Louisiana in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, held July 18 at the Louisiana Foodservice EXPO in the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Sponsors for the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off include the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor (OLG), the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (CRT), the Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT), Rouses Markets, the Louisiana Restaurant Association, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, FishWatch and Louisiana Cookin Magazine. For more information about the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and Louisiana seafood recipes, please visit www.LouisianaSeafoodFestival.com