The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would like to remind those charter, headboat, and dually-permitted vessels that have a federal Gulf Charter Vessel /Headboat permit for Reef Fish or a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (for-hire vessel) that the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER) validation survey begins September 1, 2021. Biologists contracted with LDWF will be conducting these surveys randomly at public boat launches each month to validate information reported on the logbook.

Captains are reminded that participation in SEFHIER and the validation survey does not remove them from being interviewed for LA Creel dockside surveys and effort calls, and we encourage continued participation in LA Creel surveys. Once LDWF has evaluated the SEFHIER program data, LDWF may decide to rely on SEFHIER data in lieu of LA Creel surveys from federal permit holders.

For more information, contact the NOAA Fisheries SEFHIER team at 833.707.1632 or [email protected]. You can also visit their website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing-data/southeast-hire-integrated-electronic-reporting-program.