The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is providing a special permit to transport and stock about 10,000 red drum fingerlings into the Calcasieu Lake estuary as part of a pilot project to investigate the biological/ecological efficacy of stocking with hatchery-raised fish.
The fish are expected to be stocked during 2023-24, but the permit will expire December 31 and will require renewal prior to any stocking activities in 2024.
The fingerlings will be stocked by the Recreational Fisheries Research Institute (RFRI) along with the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana.
LDWF will assist with project evaluation by genetic monitoring during fish releases and collecting fish samples in later years for genetic testing.
RFRI, a Louisiana-based non-profit, conducts marine fisheries restoration through education and public involvement. RFRI is covering the costs of stocking and genetic analysis as part of the permit stipulations.
“We know that red drum are important to our citizens, the economy, and the ecosystem," said LDWF Secretary Rob Shadoin.
LDWF wants to "evaluate all options to recover the stock in coastal waters," he said.
It will be the first-ever evaluation of red drum stocking in Louisiana.
Although red drum have been stocked in other states, the department says it wants to temper expectations related to this effort.
A recent stock assessment shows the red drum population has had a population drop of more than 1.5M compared to its long-term recruitment average.
Stocking efforts won't solve the population issue of nature, according to LDWF Assistant Secretary for Fisheries Patrick Banks. Hatchery-reared fish could serve useful for the future.
The hope is that stocked fish survive in the Calcasieu Estuary and at levels that can be tracked via genetic testing.
From a fisheries management perspective, the pilot study can help scientists assess the percentage of hatchery-reared fish.
Any future stocking program decisions will be up to the LDWF Secretary. (LDWF 07/24/23)
For more scientific detail on the project click here.
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