South Central Planning and Development Commission is administering three Wildlife and Fisheries Programs concerning recovery in Louisiana by assisting the fishing industry. For specific information, click on the appropriate program below.
Cooperative Survey Program (COOP)
This program is funded by the re-directed $18 million plus from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Grant Number NA06NMF4540319 authorized for fisheries disaster assistance by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 109-234). The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will administer this program to qualified Louisiana resident wholesale/retail seafood dealers and commercial fishermen who submit complete and acceptable salmon color forms and participate in the cooperative research surveys. Qualified participants are Louisiana resident commercial fishermen with a valid 2008 license with trip tickets submitted prior to November 30, 2008 and valued at $5,948. or more during September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008 for saltwater / freshwater species landings (freshwater finfish and wild-caught crawfish) are included only if the fisherman resided in any of the 26 LDWF identified hurricane-impacted parishes. Seafood dealers also qualify if they held a valid 2008 resident wholesale/retail seafood dealer’s license with trip tickets valued at $20,756. or more during the same period as above for saltwater species. Freshwater species are included only if residence was in any of the 26 LDWF-identified hurricane-impacted parishes. All survey data will become public record.
Gustav & Ike Distributions (GIDS)
This program is funded by a $40 million appropriation by the U.S. Congress under sections 308(b) and 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 4107) through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Grant Number NA09NMF4520024. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will administer the distribution of funding for reinvestment to qualified commercial Louisiana 2008 resident fishermen license holders and wholesale/retail seafood dealers based on trip tickets reported to LDWf for the period from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008 and submitted prior to November 30, 2008. An initial payment of 50 % of the eligible reinvestment will be issued upon receipt of all complete and applicable blue color forms. The remainining 50 % will be disbursed upon the participant’s submission of acceptable receipts/invoices documenting the use of the entire initial payment on eligible items.
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