Annual Report 2011-2012 THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES www.wlf.louisiana.gov I CONTENTS FROM THEI SECRETARY OFFI01CE OF SECRETARY 01. Enforcement OFFI07CE OF BOBBY JINDAL, GOVERNOR MANAGEMENT & FINANCE ROBERT J. BARHAM, SECRETARY Lois Azzarello, Undersecretary 07. Computer Center Randy Pausina, Assistant Secretary 09. Property Control Licensing Jimmy Anthony, Assistant Secretary 09. Fiscal Mark Schexnayder, Deputy Assistant Secretary 10. 12. Human Resources Administrative Services DIVISION ADMINISTRATORS 13. Scott Longman, Fisheries 14. Public Information Kenneth Ribbeck, Wildlife Robert Love, Coastal & Nongame Resources Col. Winton Vidrine, Enforcement OFFI17CE OF WILDLIFE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES 17. Wildlife COMMISSION Coastal Nongame & Resources Ronald Graham, Chairman 32. Billy Broussard, Vice Chairman Ann L. Taylor Stephen Sagrera Pat Manuel OFFI77CE OF FISHERIES Will Drost 77. Fisheries (Administration for fiscal year 2012-2013) Cover: The satellite image was acquired on Feb. 17, 2013 in true color by the MODIS instrument on NASA’s Aqua Earth observing The charge of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and satellite. It was provided by the Space Science and Engineering Cen- ter (SSEC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. All other photos Fisheries is to protect, conserve and replenish the natural are LDWF file photos. resources, wildlife and aquatic life of the state. P.O. Box 98000 - 2000 Quail Drive - Baton Rouge, LA 70898 - 225-765-2800 - www.wlf.louisiana.gov FROM THE TheS LouisianaE DepartmentCRETARY of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 was a mix of new projects and ongoing progress on recurring programs, including disaster response. The Office of Fisheries launched the Community Fishing Program to provide fishing opportunities to the rural, urban and suburban areas of the state where shoreline access is sometimes limited. The program promotes community and family oriented activities by suggesting an economical fishing trip close to home and introduces a new generation to fishing, an outdoor activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Fisheries biologists also began working with scientists at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and Texas A&M University on a Pelagic Research Program to determine movement patterns in large pelagic fish species. A new Oyster Seed Ground Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Pilot Program was created to collect preliminary data that will allow the department to better manage the public oyster resource. Continuing efforts begun following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, the department worked to ensure the safety of all those fishing in waters off Louisiana’s coast and that seafood harvested in open waters was safe for public consumption. Additionally, the Natural Resource Damage Assessment continued to track fish and wildlife species impacts post spill, as part of a multi-year process. The numbers of recreational hunters have shown steady growth since the devastating hurricane season of 2005. Those numbers, certified by the Office of Wildlife, reflected a 6 percent increase from license year 2010 to 2011, reaching 345,525. In fact, in the last five years, Louisiana was second in the nation in hunter recruitment. The increased hunter numbers were also reflected in a larger estimated number of wildlife management area (WMA) user days. The 252,967 hunter-user day estimate for fiscal year 2011-2012 exceeded the estimated use from for fiscal year 2010-2011 by over 4 percent. Youth hunting opportunities were provided during the fiscal year on 35 WMAs for deer, 12 WMAs for squirrel, 50 WMAs for waterfowl, 17 WMAs for turkey, and three WMAs for youth dove hunts. The Private Lands Program, started within the Office of Wildlife in 2008 to better coordinate service to private landowners, reported 10,447 technical assistance contacts and 452 site visits to inspect 356,439 acres. Those visits produced 85 written plans for landowners. Additionally, Private Lands biologists assisted 426 hunting clubs comprising 960,458 acres enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and inspected and evaluated 436 Natural Resources Conservation Service - Wetland Reserve Program projects comprising 158,748 acres. For fiscal year 2011-2012, there was an observed compliance in Boating Safety and Waterways Enforcement of 97 percent. The Enforcement Division identified a 40 percent decrease in the amount of boating crash incidents where alcohol or drugs were involved. Enforcement remains committed to marketing and promoting Boating Education courses by creating special events and activities for students attending courses. As a result, there was a 13 percent increase recognized for students being trained in boating education between fiscal year 2010-2011 and fiscal year 2011-2012. For whatever the outdoor user may need - hunter education or boating education, or public land access for consumptive or non- consumptive activities - the department remains committed to continue to offer those opportunities and improve the outdoor experience for our customers. Robert J. Barham, LDWF Secretary This public document was published at a total cost of $732.49. 100 copies of this public document were published in the first printing at a cost of $731.49. This document was published by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA to provide an account of the department's activities during the 2011-2012 fiscal year. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. OFFICE OF SECRETARY The Office of Secretary is administered by LDWF’s chief administrative officer, who oversees all scientific operations as organized by the Office of Wildlife and the Office of Fisheries. The Secretary also has ultimate authority over the operation of LDWF’s fiscal and business matters as administered by the Office of Management and Finance. Support operations of LDWF report directly to the Secretary. These include the Enforcement Division and LDWF’s Legal Section. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION The Law Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing laws enacted by the Louisiana Legislature and federal laws relative to fish and wildlife resources, boating safety, waterways enforcement activities, search and rescue, and homeland security missions. LEGAL SECTION The Legal Section represents the department and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in all legal matters involving promulgation, enforcement and administration of the state's fish and game laws and regulations, litigation involving department programs, daily advising and counsel, and drafting of contracts, legal documents and legislation. OFFICE OF SECRETARY ABBREVIATIONS BOAT - Boat Operations and Training GOHSEP - Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness LDWF - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries LED - Law Enforcement Division NASBLA - National Association of State Boating Law Administrators NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WMA - Wildlife Management Area ENFORCEMENT The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division (LDWF/LED) is a fully-commis- sioned statewide law enforcement agency with the prima- ry mission of protecting Louisiana’s natural resources and serving the people who utilize them. Beyond the tradi- tional role of ensuring compliance with licensing and har- vesting regulations, LDWF/LED also conducts search and rescue missions, enforces boating safety laws, inves- tigates boating and hunting accidents, and provides boater education classes for thousands of citizens each year. The Law Enforcement Division is responsible for enforc- ing laws as provided for in the: • Constitution of the State of Louisiana; • Louisiana Revised Statutes; • U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/LDWF Law Enforcement - Cooperative Enforcement Agreement - Law Enforcement Services under: • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act • Endangered Species Act of 1973 • Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 • Lacey Act • U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/LDWF Law Enforcement - Memorandum of Agreement - Law Enforcement: • Migratory Bird Treaty Act • Lacey Act; Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act • Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act • Airborne Hunting Act • National Wildlife Refuge System Administrative Act • Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act • Archeological Resources Protection Act • African Elephant Conservation Act • Antarctic Conservation Act • Wild Bird Conservation Act and Recreation Act • U.S. Coast Guard/LDWF Law Enforcement - Statement of Understanding - Boating Safety Regulations: • BWI • Public Education and Training • Boating Accident Investigations • Search and Rescue • Regattas and Marine Parades • Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals/ LDWF Law Enforcement • Memorandum of Understanding - Louisiana Shellfish Sanitation Program • National Shellfish Sanitation Program. www.wlf.louisiana.gov 1 LDWF/LED conducted 342,001 patrol hours in fiscal year 2011-2012: 220,073 on land and 121,928 on water. Agents made 819,249 contacts with the public, the majority of whom were in compliance with state and federal wildlife and fisheries regulations. LDWF/LED agents issued 17,196