LA_MERC_Nutria
November 20th, 2004, 07:55 PM
http://dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041120/NEWS/411200304/1013Kill a nutria, save the marsh
By KEITH MAGILL
The Courier
HOUMA -- 'Tis the season for nutria hunting.
A state-run program that aims to save wetlands from being consumed by the orange-bucktoothed, web-footed rodents kicks off today and runs through March 31 in Terrebonne and other coastal parishes.
More than 330,000 nutria were killed during this year’s annual harvest, and more of the rat-like creatures were killed in Terrebonne than all but one parish, the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported. Terrebonne also logged the most participants of any parish -- 106.
The agency is accepting applications for the Coastwide Nutria Control Program. Registered participants from the previous trapping season must reapply.
Over the past century, Louisiana has lost 1,900 square miles of its coastal wetlands to erosion, an area the size of Delaware, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Erosion continues at a rate of about 25 to 35 square miles a year, with the most rapid losses in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
Scientists cite many reasons for the decline, including levees that cut off fresh water from the Mississippi River, dredging of canals by oil companies, wave action from the Gulf of Mexico and sinking land. Nutria, which eats marsh grasses, are seen as a contributor.
Last season, 346 participants harvested 332,596 nutria statewide; they were paid $1.3 million. The largest harvest occurred in Plaquemines Parish, with 86,720 nutria. It was followed by Terrebonne, with 72,846 nutria; Lafourche, with 51,736; Jefferson, with 24,896; and St. Bernard, with 13,344.
Registered participants in the eradication program receive $4 for each nutria tail brought to collection sites along Louisiana’s coast. Officials said they hope to increase the annual harvest to 400,000 nutria.
To register, applicants need a valid Louisiana trapping license. They also must complete an application and obtain permission from a landowner with property in the program area.
The program area is bounded on the north by Interstate 10 from the Texas state line to Baton Rouge, Interstate 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell, and Interstate 10 from Slidell to the Mississippi state line.
Locally, applications are available at the department’s enforcement office, 468 Texas Gulf Road, Bourg. You can also get them at any LSU AgCenter Extension Office. In Houma, the office is located at 511 Roussell St. The Lafourche office is at 402 W. Fifth St., Thibodaux.
Applications are also available on the program’s Web site at www.nutria.com/site19.gsp.
Anyone with questions about the program may call Jeff Marx at the Wildlife and Fisheries Department, (337) 373-0032.
/NEWS01
By KEITH MAGILL
The Courier
HOUMA -- 'Tis the season for nutria hunting.
A state-run program that aims to save wetlands from being consumed by the orange-bucktoothed, web-footed rodents kicks off today and runs through March 31 in Terrebonne and other coastal parishes.
More than 330,000 nutria were killed during this year’s annual harvest, and more of the rat-like creatures were killed in Terrebonne than all but one parish, the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported. Terrebonne also logged the most participants of any parish -- 106.
The agency is accepting applications for the Coastwide Nutria Control Program. Registered participants from the previous trapping season must reapply.
Over the past century, Louisiana has lost 1,900 square miles of its coastal wetlands to erosion, an area the size of Delaware, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Erosion continues at a rate of about 25 to 35 square miles a year, with the most rapid losses in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
Scientists cite many reasons for the decline, including levees that cut off fresh water from the Mississippi River, dredging of canals by oil companies, wave action from the Gulf of Mexico and sinking land. Nutria, which eats marsh grasses, are seen as a contributor.
Last season, 346 participants harvested 332,596 nutria statewide; they were paid $1.3 million. The largest harvest occurred in Plaquemines Parish, with 86,720 nutria. It was followed by Terrebonne, with 72,846 nutria; Lafourche, with 51,736; Jefferson, with 24,896; and St. Bernard, with 13,344.
Registered participants in the eradication program receive $4 for each nutria tail brought to collection sites along Louisiana’s coast. Officials said they hope to increase the annual harvest to 400,000 nutria.
To register, applicants need a valid Louisiana trapping license. They also must complete an application and obtain permission from a landowner with property in the program area.
The program area is bounded on the north by Interstate 10 from the Texas state line to Baton Rouge, Interstate 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell, and Interstate 10 from Slidell to the Mississippi state line.
Locally, applications are available at the department’s enforcement office, 468 Texas Gulf Road, Bourg. You can also get them at any LSU AgCenter Extension Office. In Houma, the office is located at 511 Roussell St. The Lafourche office is at 402 W. Fifth St., Thibodaux.
Applications are also available on the program’s Web site at www.nutria.com/site19.gsp.
Anyone with questions about the program may call Jeff Marx at the Wildlife and Fisheries Department, (337) 373-0032.
/NEWS01