Omega Protein Admits to Abandoning Full Pogie Net Near Holly Beach Yet-to-be recovered net contained more than half a million pounds of dead fish, according to estimates.
Over the weekend, CCA received numerous reports and photos of what appeared to be an abandoned menhaden net just south of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. In the photos we received (above and below), the net looks full of pogies and other species. We also received numerous reports of dead redfish, drum and other species found in the water and on the beaches. CCA reported the incident to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries soon after receiving the photos.
Today at LDWF’s Finfish Task Force Meeting, a task force member asked if there was any information available about the incident. A representative of Omega Protein was on hand, and reported to the taskforce that the net is owned by Omega. According to the representative, the net contained about 900,000 pogies weighing an estimated 500,000 lbs. Their was no estimate given on bycatch. The representative reported that the net was cut loose after the crew realized it contained more fish than they could safely harvest.
As of today, the net has not been recovered. CCA will keep our members posted as more details become available.
How can you help? Please continue sending your photos and videos when you see these activities near Louisiana’s shorelines and beaches, or when you encounter fish kills. Send them to us, and send them to your State Senator and Representatives. We must continue to shine a light on this industry and the damage being caused to our fisheries, our coastal wildlife, and our critical habitats.