LSU's Fisheries Science (previously Coastal Fisheries Institute (CFI)) was established by the Louisiana Legislature with Board of Regents and Board of Supervisors approval in 1983 for the expressed purpose of
conducting a unified, comprehensive and university-based research program on coastal and marine fisheries. The Fisheries division continues their mission by providing leadership in addressing many of the state's fishery problems and concerns, in enhancing the available databases on the critical life histories and habitat characteristics/requirements of our marine resources, and in providing concise economic and legal assistance to the recreational and commercial sectors. This leadership is implemented through basic and applied research, public service, and education. Research in the department integrates knowledge from zoology, ecology, biochemistry, oceanography, economics, and law to address serious problems such as overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and resource utilization disputes that threaten Louisiana's fishery resources, the economic well being of important industries, and its rich coastal heritage.

FISHERIES RESEARCHERS PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC, ECONOMIC, AND LEGAL INSIGHTS into fisheries issues for the State Legislature, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Gulf Coast Conservation Association, Louisiana Shrimp Association, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Concerned Shrimpers of America, Louisiana Menhaden Advisory Council, Louisiana Oyster Growers and Dealers Association, Concerned Crabbers of Louisiana, Concerned Fishermen of Louisiana, Louisiana Council of Underwater Divers, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

FISHERIES SCIENCE EFFORTS SUPPORT OTHER LOUISIANA
AGENCIES by providing developmental information for
Louisiana's seafood processing sector; evaluating and interpreting Louisiana fishing laws for the fishing community; assessing economic and political factors affecting Louisiana fisheries.

OUR DEPARTMENT GENERATES AND ANALYZES BASELINE DATA TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT of red and black drum, spotted seatrout, mullet, shrimp, squid, blue crab, butterfish, sheepshead, menhaden and coastal herrings, jacks, sharks, red snapper, grouper and other reef fishes, tarpon and flounders. Data come from recreational and commercial harvests, fishery independent sampling, and many of Louisiana's saltwater fishing rodeos including the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, New Orleans and Louisiana Tarpon Club, New Iberia Rod and Gun Club, Southwest Louisiana Fishing Rodeo, Terrebonne Sportsmen's League, and Empire/South Pass Tarpon Rodeo.

THE FISHERIES SCIENCE DIVISION IS DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
CONTACTS so that Louisiana's fishery problems can be placed into a "world-wide" context. CFI faculty are involved in an international flatfish (flounder) assessment program to compare and contrast flatfish distribution, density and recruitment on a global scale. Several faculty are involved in Central American research projects in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico. CFI/CCEER are establishing ties with the fishery coastal wetlands and environmental groups at Royal Halloway, University of London.

FISHERIES FACULTY HOLD JOINT APPOINTMENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND COASTAL SCIENCES OR WITHIN THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF Environmental Sciences where they participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research, providing future resource managers. Currently, CFI faculty chair 25 Master and Doctoral candidate graduate committees and advise 5 Law students.

FISHERIES SCIENCE is participating in The Coastal Wetlands Planning,
Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) which is directed to restore and prevent the loss of coastal wetlands in Louisiana. We are addressing wetland function issues as they pertain to fishery nursery grounds and habitat enhancement.

FISHERIES SCIENCE is evaluating the usefulness of satellite remote sensing and hydroacoustic techniques in predicting potential fishery yields. In addition, CFI continues to play a lead role in the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program, by spearheading Minerals Management Service's ecological research initiative on the nursery/refugia/production function of artificial reef habitat and enhancement.

FISHERIES SCIENCE was a major contributor to 1) the Red Drum Research Plan involving the five Gulf states in an effort to increase red drum stocks; 2) the Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) Task Force which obtained national funding for fisheries research in the Gulf and now assists research program planning (e.g., reef fish initiative); and 3) the primary authorship of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) which involves the Gulf states and the National Marine Fisheries Service in the collection of high priority fishery-independent data.