Where is the 9 mile line anyway???

So where exactly is the 9 Nautical Mile line which is the boundary of state fisheries jurisdiction?? I have been attempting to get this information from LDWF but it seems that all they will provide is a statewide overview of the line which is not sufficient to determine exactly which rigs are within state jurisdiction. I spoke to Captain Comeaux in the Thibodaux office and was informed that enforcement agents use an app to determine if they are within state waters, but he could not provide me with access to the app. How are we to know which rigs are within state jurisdiction? Does anyone outside of the LDWF know exactly where the line actually is? Does LDWF even know?

Capt marty. I am sorry you could not get an answer from the' CAPTAIN' so ill try to give you an answer. Louisiana state waters and Federal waters are marked on navigational charts, Louisiana claims waters of the Gulf of Mexico out to approximately 3 miles with an exception at Grand Isle where state waters protrude out to approximately eight miles, to figure out an approximation out to ten miles that is what LDWF is claiming as state waters for Fisheries enforcement purposes only you need to plot 10 miles from the Louisiana shoreline. The inside shrimp line would be a good resource to use. Hope this helps and don't forget the coasties still enforce Federal fish regulations and will cite you in Federal waters past the three mile line if you are in possession of Red Snapper or Red Drum.

http://gis.wlf.la.gov/oystermap/map.html

Click Layers them Gulfward Boundary. What I did was use the mouse to trace the line while writing the coordinates down that were displayed. Then added them to my chartplotter as a track.

Greendhead, that is false. For the current Fiscal Year (ending Sept 30,2016), the Louisiana State waters have been extended to 9 miles from the coastline. A fisherman stopped by Federal authorities inside of 9 miles will NOT be ticketed for possession of red snapper. This is all confusing enough, please do not spread false information. Please refer to the latest press release regarding this information. http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/39802

Capt. Marty, I believe chbaker's suggestion is the best method to get the line into your GPS.

Getreel, so they did get the law past out to nine miles my bad didn't know they got it passed and I am glad they did, it will help the fisherman of this state. There is still no excuse for a Captain of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division for not instructing Capt marty on where the coordinates are located for state waters out 9 miles. up until the passage of this new law what I said was not false, just ask the fisherman that were caught by the Coast Guard last year for possessing Red Snapper in Federal waters past the three mile line, glad all that is over now and fisherman can enjoy catching Red Snapper out to 9 miles without getting cited by Federal Authorities.

I completely agree with you about WLF Captain not being able to advise on where to get the coordinates. If they are going to enforce a line, there should be a simple source for the public to obtain its coordinates. And I am well aware of last year's Coast Guard enforcement of the 3 mile line. I have heard of several cases being thrown out in court, hopefully they all do. Unfortunately the 9 mile line is only temporary. It expires September 30th. However, Congressman Garrett Graves introduced a bill in the House that would permanently recognize Louisiana state waters out to 9 nautical miles. Hopefully it passes, and hopefully the states get control of the snapper fishery sooner rather than later.

does this apply to redfish as well can we now keep them up to nine miles out?

This law applies to reef fish only