Louisiana Council of Underwater Dive Clubs

Largest Fish - David Dauat 8.4#

1st Sheepshead - David Dauzat - 8.4#
2nd Sheepshead - Scott Cameron - 7.1#
3rd Sheepshead - Louis Rossignol - 6.4#
4th Sheepshead - Vincent Leblanc - 6.4#
5th Sheepshead - Robbie Schmitt - 6.3#
6th Sheepshead - Ryan Brady - 6.1#

Venice, LA – October 14th & 15th, 2011

1) Tickets are $50 each. This includes Rodeo t-shirt, Beverages Sat. night, SHRIMP boil Thursday night, as well as SUPPER Friday and Saturday night. You may commit by phone. Voice or TEX to Darren "Gumby" Bourgeois @ (504) 914-9551, e-mail @ toohawaiin4u@yahoo.com, prepay or payable at the rodeo site. All divers must be known before 6:00 AM on Friday, October 14th, 2011. Council Derby Board Rules applies. 2) ALL LCUDC fish are eligible. No fish that is out of season, banned or not allowed under State and/or Federal Regulations.

3) Cash Prizes for TOP TEN DIVERS. There will be Awards for King, Champion Skin Diver, Queen, Jr. Diver, Club, and Boat. The 3, 2, 1 points system will apply for all awards. No ties, early entry wins.

4) Boats can leave no earlier than 6:00 A.M., Friday, October 14th. Boats must come in on the 14th and go out again on the 15th no earlier than 6:00 A.M.

5) All Boats and Divers must be committed before 6:00 A.M., Friday, October 14th.

6) All dive boats must display a dive flag while diving. The Sea Tigers request that all boats and divers have fun, dive safe, and have dive insurance (DAN). We hope that all divers enjoy themselves in Venice and use good common sense with dealing with the Oil Rig workers, Marinas and fishermen.

7) Weigh-in closes at 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 14th and at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 15th. Weigh-in may start when the first divers arrive at the rodeo site on Friday and on Saturday with awards and party to follow.

8) Ports for the STIR will be limited to the Empire/Venice area.

9) A $50 Calcutta (optional) for the largest fish shot. The Winners gets the cash. Money must be paid before 6:00 AM, Friday, the 14th.

The STIR, as all of our competition is based on the honor system. The goal is for Council members to have a spirited competition and get know each other (a little bonding), and enjoy each other’s company. As those who participated in the past can testify that it is a lot of fun.

The STIR site is located at Venice Marina. Motel ph# 504-534-9357.
The Sea Tigers have reserved cabins that sleep 5 people each and will be on a first come (commit) bases. Boats may be left in the water at the dock at the Hotel each night below or near rooms. Parking will be available for trucks and trailers. It is requested that divers stay over to Sunday to drive home or have a designated driver.
The website for the marinas accommodations is http://www.venicemarina.com/10_accommodations.htm
NO DUI or DWI allowed. Please e-mail all donation request to Steve Hartley ; (504) 495-2818. Donations may also be brought to the rodeo site.

This year's Sheepshead Shootout will be Sat., Sept. 24. Visit the Helldivers' website for additional information: http://www.helldivers.org

Where: Kenner Lake Town Boat Launch
When: Saturday September 24, 2011
Fishing starts at Sun up and ends when the scales close!
Scales Open: 3-5pm (corrected) (Must let weigh master know you are in line)!
Open to ALL In-Land Waters!
DIVERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISPOSAL OF THEIR FISH!
First 40 Commitments get a FREE T Shirt!
$25 Entry Fee!
$10 Calcutta for biggest non-sheepshead fish!
Top 5 fish CASH Prizes

Please e-mail your commitments to dive the Council Shootout to: tgmigaud@cox.net - registration is $50 payable at the Shootout site.
1st list send out by Monday. A meal for Friday and a meal for Saturday is included, along with 30 cases of beer. Rafe is ordering the T-Shirts.
Please bring folding tables & chairs. We will set up tents as needed. There is an ice house ice just before Leesville or you
can get ice at Leesville. Don’t forget to pay the toll.

The 11th Council Shootout is now happening on Friday, Sept 16, and Sat, Sept 17.. The location is Chris Moran’s Marina and Motel in Fourchon. (The first place on the right as you turn off HWY 1.) Rooms are available for Thursday, Sept. 15, Friday, Sept 16, and Sat, Sept 17.

Call 985-396-3900 to book your room. They have lots of non-water front rooms available as on now.

For the last shootout in 2009 (remember BP), we had 80 divers.
Can we go for 100? We are set up in the same location as in the past.

All LCUDC Derby Board rules apply. Skin and Scuba allowed. Only one warsaw will be allowed to be weighed off of each boat. Only one Amberjack
and/or Drum will be allowed to be weighed each day per diver. For Lobsters, 24 per boat are allowed and they must not be egg bearers, they must be
3” or longer on the shell, 6 per diver. Good News: NO limits on Lion Fish.

Click Here for the full 2011 Shootout Rules

The donations so far:
Council $500
Git ‘em $150
Hell Divers $150
Snapper Slappers $150
Lick & Stick ‘em $150
Frogmen $150
Aqua Aces $100
WorldSpearfishing.com $75
Terry Migaud – all awards
Robbie Schmidt 6 cases water
Paul Cozic – 20 cases of beer
Aqua Aces – 10 cases of beer (baby bud)
Henry Pacheo- paper products & plastic utensils

Sent check make out to the LCUDC, 3513 43rd Street, Metairie, LA 70001. Divers may commit for Shootout, payable at the site, tgmigaud@cox.net or
504 833-1884 or 504 452-8942.

It is requested a donation of $150 from each club.
Money pays for food, drinks, t-shirts, 3 raffle tickets for each diver ($10), and cash prizes.

Terry Migaud
LCUDC Sec/tre

Where: Kenner Lake Town Boat Launch
When: Saturday September 24, 2011
Fishing starts at Sun up and ends when the scales close!
Scales Open: 2-4pm (Must let weigh master know you are in line)!
Open to ALL In-Land Waters!
DIVERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISPOSAL OF THEIR FISH!
First 40 Commitments get a FREE T Shirt!
$25 Entry Fee!
$10 Calcutta for biggest non-sheepshead fish!
Top 5 fish CASH Prizes
Several Entry Prizes TBA
Fish Fry and BEER To Follow
To Commit, go to www.helldivers.org click on paypal link or contact one of these HellDivers by Aug 27.
George Ansardi (504) 442-4242
David Dauzat (504) 289-1331
Paul Cozic (504) 481-2225
Rules and more information on website! http://www.helldivers.org

King Skin Diver - Chris Hill

Queen Skin Diver - Krista Hanson



Red Snapper
1st - 19.0 - Chris Hill
2nd - 18.5 - Krista Hanson
3rd - 18.3 - Fred Cardet

Mangrove
1st -10.4 - Henry Pacheco
2nd - 9.6 - Joe Wegmann
3rd - 9.5 - Chris Hill

Cobia
1st - 46.8 - Joe Wegmann
2nd - 46.6 - Jared Uhlich
3rd - 43.1 - Chris Hill

Black Drum
1st - 30.4 - Chris Nance
2nd- 28.5 - Fred Cardet
3rd - 26.0 - Chris Nance

Trigger Fish
1st - 4.6 - Scott Johnson
2nd - 3.6 - Tracy Palmisano
3rd - 3.2 - Chris Hill

Grouper – No Entries
Tuna – No Entries
Wahoo – No Entries
Mahi Mahi – No Entries

King: Steve Hartley (ST)
Queen: Christy Stone (AA)
King Skindiver: Steve Hartley (ST)
Best Boat: Knot Satisfied
Best Club: Sea Tigers


Barracuda
Steve Hartley (ST) 41.0
Christy Stone (AA) 37.8
Mike Boucher (ST) 34.0

Catfish
(no entries)

Cobia
Mike Boucher (ST) 43.5
Johnny Bernard (ST) 23.3
Chris Ricouard (ST) 22.2

Drum
David Hood (HD) 38-1

Garfish
(no entries)

Grouper
Mark Peart (HD) 37.1
Jon Nemeth (AA) 13.7
Jon Nemeth (AA) 7.0

Jack Crevalle
George Ansardi (HD) 37.6
Louis Rossignol (HD) 34.2
Abe Hebert (AA) 28.1

Sheepshead
Don Scott (FM) 7.4
Mark Peart (HD) 7.1
Cyril Gonzalez (AA) 6.7

Triggerfish
Mark Peart (HD) 6.3
Mark McCloskey (AA) 6.0
Eric Spahn (AA) 5.9

Red Snapper
Jay Quiros (ST) 26.0
Greg Matherne (BB) 25.4
Jay Quiros (ST) 25.2

Mangrove Snapper
David Hood (HD) 12.6
Steve Hartley (ST) 9.2
Steve Hartley (ST) 9.0

Miscellaneous
Mark McCloskey (AA) 33.2 Almaco Jack
Steve Hartley (ST) 23.9 Almaco Jack
Christy Stone (AA) 22.2 Almaco Jack

The most prolific marine ecosystem on earth is being systematically destroyed on orders of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Where the BP oil spill failed miserably, Obama’s Dept. of the Interior now triumphs.

First came the “moratorium” on Gulf drilling. “That’s kicking a man when he’s already down,” said former offshore oil worker (and current country music superstar) Trace Adkins last May in an interview with CNN. The Obama administration itself admits to 8-12,000 job losses in Louisiana from the moratorium. But Louisiana now has 25,000 more unemployed than before the moratorium, which continues de facto in the form of stonewalling and lollygagging on the issuance of new drilling permits. So, that “man” is still down and reeling from federal kicks.

Another kick came last September in the form of a federal “notice to lessees.” “As part of our sustained effort to improve the safety of energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf and strengthen environmental protections,” decreed U.S. Dept. of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar last September 15, “We are notifying offshore operators of their legal responsibility to decommission and dismantle their facilities when production is completed.”

Dismantling their production platforms could cost oil operators “$6 billion to $18 billion in lost future production,” according to a report by Mark Kaiser and Allan Pulsipher of the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies.

The federal government, however, is unmoved by such projections. Production? Costs? Profits?—come on! Where’s the federal “environmental expert” affected by such stuff?

So let’s try this: the most prolific and “diverse marine ecosystem” ever recorded by marine scientists was created by the “facilities” the U.S. Dept. of the Interior is hell-bent on dismantling (offshore oil platforms). Acting as artificial reefs over the past half century, the natural beauty, teeming fish life, coral colonies, and “bio-diversity,” created by these structures is amply documented in several studies commissioned by none other than the U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

One recent report by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Minerals (a division of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior) boasts that “fish densities are 20 to 50 times higher at oil and gas platforms than in nearby Gulf water, and each platform seasonally serves as critical habitat for 10 to 20 thousand fishes.”

Click Here to Read the Rest of this Story

Bring the family. There will be prizes for the kids and tons of raffle prizes.

Location: Wally Pontiff Jr. (Metairie) Playground
Rules: 2011 Rodeo Rules

Visit http://www.aquaaces.net/rodeo.php for more information.

King: Keith Love of Texas Blue Water Assasins!
Queen: Abbie Donaldson-Eubanks of Git Em Divers!
Best Club: HellDivers!
Best Boat: ROK Zone of HellDivers!
Champion Skin Diver: Keith Love of Texas Blue Water Assasins!
Senior Diver: Terry Migaud of HellDivers!
Junior Diver: Ryan Brady of Frogmen!

Jack Fish
Mark Peart HellDivers 44.4 lbs.
Louis Rossignol HellDivers 41.0 lbs.
Steve Hartley Sea Tigers 34.2 lbs.
Barracuda
Jay Quiros Sea Tigers 45.8 lbs.
Stan Smith HellDivers 44.3 lbs.
Jay Quiros Sea Tigers 43.2 lbs.
Cobia
Lindsey Hurd SwollFest 84.2 lbs.
Damien Drouant SwollFest 53.9 lbs.
C. Nance Sea Tigers 44.6 lbs.
Grouper
Louis Rossignol HellDivers 72.8 lbs.
Troy Donaldson Git'Em 72.2 lbs.
Jonathan Noble Lick Em Stick Em 66.3 lbs.
Jack Crevelle
Keith Love Texas BlueWater Assassins 41.3 lbs.
M. Boucher Sea Tigers 34.2 lbs.
Troy Donaldson Git'Em 31.5 lbs.
Mangrove Snapper
Vincent Leblanc HellDivers 16.9 lbs.
Vincent Leblanc HellDivers 15.9 lbs.
Jared Shuman Texas BlueWater Assassins 14.1 lbs.
Miscellaneous
Heath Charvet King Mackeral 40.4 lbs.
Heath Charvet King Mackeral 35.9 lbs.
W. Ruffino Drum 30.5 lbs.
Red Snapper
Gumby Sea Tigers 35.2 lbs.
Stan Smith HellDivers 32.2 lbs.
Matt Thomas Sea Tigers 31.2 lbs.
Sheepshead
Billy Falgout Frogmen 7.7 lbs.
Billy Falgout Frogmen 7.4 lbs.
Rafe Antil Lick Em Stick Em 7.0 lbs.
Spade Fish
Keith Love Texas BlueWater Assassins 6.5 lbs.
Matt Thomas Sea Tigers 5.8 lbs.
Stan Smith HellDivers 5.7 lbs.
Stingray
Keith Love Texas BlueWater Assassins 16.8 lbs.
Trigger Fish
Paul Cozic HellDivers 8.7 lbs.
David Hood HellDivers 8.1 lbs.
Wil Demuth HellDivers 7.8 lbs.

GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA
Source: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/x1227548500/Editorial-Bogus-NMFS-report-on-fish-revenues-is-short-on-honesty
May 15, 2011
Editorial: Bogus NMFS report on fish 'revenues' is short on honesty

The National Marine Fisheries Service report on commercial fishing revenues- hailing an increase in gross revenues as a sign that its new regulatory system is helping fishermen, even it fails to account for a penny of fishermen's increased costs - might be considered laughable if it weren't so painfully obvious that it's no mistake.

After all, in his report summary, NMFS chief Eric Schwaab, the former Maryland fish and gamer who's now caddy to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator Jane Lubchenco, failed to even note a disclaimer in his own report - that the preliminary figures showing purported revenue gains over nine months of fishing under the catch shares format did not include any expense data that can shed light on fishermen's net revenues at all.

That's right; this glowing report, actually picked up by some news agencies as if it were credible, did not touch upon the costs fishermen have had to ante up for sector management while working in those cooperatives. And it didn't factor in the millions fishermen have had to shell out to lease additional quota to be able to make a living under the tightly limited catch.

Given those factors, Schwaab's report isn't worth the paper on which it's printed. That, however, isn't even the most serious issue raised by this bogus report.

That, once again, is the blatant dishonesty that shines through NOAA's and Lubchenco's gang of supposedly "green" supporters in their now-desperate attempts to convince lawmakers and other unknowing Americans that catch shares are a good deal for fishermen, when, in fact, the opposite becomes clearer every day.

What the report also fails to show is the documented concentration of those higher revenues in the hands of fewer big fishing businesses - those who can afford to lease and buy up more quota - while the smaller, independent fishermen and their crew members are forced to the sidelines and the unemployment lines.

Read the full story here: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/x1227548500/Editorial-Bogus-NMFS-report-on-fish-revenues-is-short-on-honesty

The LA Council of Underwater Dive Clubs (LCUDC) (www.lcudc.org ) has teamed up with Eco Rigs ( www.ecorigs.org ), Towers of Life ( www.towersoflife.com ), and other interested user groups to state our opposition to the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Press Release dated 09/15/2010 concerning guidance for the “Idle Iron” Program. The Press Release stated that 650 decommission oil and gas platforms are scheduled for removal.
( www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Interior-Department-Issues-Idle-Iron-Guidance.cfm# )

The Gulf of Mexico is designated an Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and/or Habitats of Particular Concern (HAPC) except for the offshore platforms. If the platforms could receive such status, then the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would have to recommend to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) to not remove the platforms. (Paraphrase statements from ecorigs.org page title Essential Fish Habitat.)

The few studies done on the platforms, all indicated the offshore platforms are Essential Fish and/or Marine Habitats.
Proof of Concept for Platform Recruited Fish, Phase 1: Do Platforms Provide Habitat for Sub-adult Red Snapper?
The first and as of now, the only study (found) that shows a defining link that proves that the “platforms may constitute as red snapper essential fish habitat and, as such, should be considered as viable tools in management of red snapper”. From page 57 of the study, please note the wording: “essential fish habitat”. The Gulf Coast Council (GCC) is mandated under Magnum-Stevens to prevent overfishing and part of that mandate is the protection of known marine habitats important in their management.
( www.gomr.boemre.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/4/4898.pdf )

Other studies that indicated the upper part of platforms 85’ and up are the most productive part of the platform.
Rigs and Reefs: A Comparison of the Fish Communities at Two Artificial Reefs, a Production Platform, and a Natural Reef in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
( www.gomr.boemre.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/0/176.pdf )
Characterization of Alga-Invertebrate Mats of Offshore Platforms and the Assessment of Methods for Artificial Substrate Studies
( www.gomr.boemre.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/2/2962.pdf )
Seasonal and Spatial Variation in the Biomass and Size Frequency Distribution of the Fish Associated with Oil and Gas Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
( www.cmi.lsu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=6 )

From the BOEMRE web site: Artificial Reefs: Oases for Marine Life http://gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/rigs-to-reefs/artificial-reefs.html
On page 2: “each platform seasonally serves as critical habitats for thousands fishes, many of which are of recreational and commercial importance.” Please note the word “critical”.

The goal of this release is to inform the public, environmentalists, and other user groups (from one of studies ESPIS/2/2962) “Older structures will be removed, and even if large numbers are cut or toppled to create fish habitat, the most productive upper zone will be lost. From now on, the unique platform ecosystem is likely to be in decline.”

NOAA, NMS, BOEMRE, GCC aiding and abetting by such groups as the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are not doing their due diligence in protecting vital marine habitats as all known evidences point in that direction. The “Idle Iron” program should be renamed the “Idle Irony” program. The “Rigs to Reefs” program has become a slush fund for the governor.

Terry Migaud,
LCUDC Sec/tre
tgmigaud@cox.net

Hell Divers is June 2, 3, 4, 5 go to www.helldivers.org

SwollFest June 9,10,11 go to www.swollfest.com

Hooks for Hearts Normally 2nd week-end in July TBA www.hooksforhearts.org

Aqua Aces Rodeo June 23, 24, 25, 26 go to www.aquaaces.net

Golden Meadow Rodeo for July 4th week-end day to TBA go to www.gmfourchontarponrodeo.com

LA State Freediving Championship July 14 - 16th at Chris Moran's Marina in Fourchon. Contact Jwegmann1@cox.net, for more info.

Terrebonne Rodeo usually the first weekend in Aug

St Pete Open for August 19, 20 and 21 www.spearfishingspuo.org

LCUDC Council Shootout for Aug 26 and 27 in Port Fouchon; More details on Council E-mails and the various clubs web sites.

Sea Tigers Invitational – October 14, 15 - www.seatigers.us

Panama City Flounder rodeo – in October www.divelocker.net

Lake Pontchartrain Sheepshead Shootout TBA www.helldivers.org

Frogmen Catfish Rodeo TBA in October

The Council Award Banquet will be Sat, April 9th from 7 PM on at Gauttuso’s Neighborhood Bar & Restaurant
on the West Bank (West bankers do not have any excuses this time) at 435 Huey P Lone Ave., Gretna, LA 70053
Please inform your buddies who do not read their e-mails or as Gumby tells me the West Bank is still waiting on the internet.
Thanks to Jay Quiros for arranging the location.

You can go to www.gattusosdeli.com for more details.

A band from 6 to 9:30 PM with a happy hour from 4 PM to 7 PM for the early birds.
No cover charge or admission charge. Buy your own drinks and food. Good food at reasonable prices.
You can see the menu on the website above. 14 differ draft beers. Don’t forget your designated driver as the
JP Count House is just down the street.

At 9:30 PM the 33 awards will given out. The band cannot play after 10 PM due to noise regulations.
As this is a restaurant, our Junior Divers are welcome Parking is not a problem.

Sea Tigers Spearfishing Club
P.O. Box 790
Marrero, La. 70073

Friends and Fellow Divers,

Its time to MAN-UP for this spearfishing tradition, and a great way to start this years competition. This years Sea Tigers Garfish Rodeo will be March 24-27th 2011.

We invite all Spear Fisherman to join us in support of this years Rodeo. Once again, ALL proceeds will go to support the FRA.
Last year we were able to raise $1000.00 and this year we’re SHOOTING for MORE

WE GOTTA FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT TO “FEEE--LAY”

Scales will open at 12 noon , Sunday, March 27th and close at 3:00pm in Westwego Park.
(Speed Limit is 15 “watch your speed !!!”)

FREE Rodeo Hat, refreshments and great entry prizes to all who enter.


Sea Tigers Spearfishing Club
Jeremy Herget
President

SEA TIGERS ANNUAL GARFISH RODEO RULES


1) Registration fee is $25.00. All participants must be registered before competition begins.
2) Valid fishing license is required.
3) Diving is open to INSHORE waters ONLY.
4) Competition begins March 24th, 2011 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, March 27th, 2011 at 3:00pm.
5) Scales will be open Sunday, March 27 th 2011 from 12:00pm- 3:00pm in Westwego Park
( Ave D and Westbank Exp )
6) Fish must be speared and apprehended by diver without assistance.
7) Fish speared from boats are not eligible. Divers must be submerged.
8) Skin and SCUBA allowed.
9) Competition is open to all divers.
10) All catches must be by or witnessed by LCUDC member.
11) Categories are Gar, Aggregate Gar, and Miscellaneous.
12) There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for each category.
13) The 3,2,1, system will be used with all points used for King/Club.
14) Awards will be given for King Spearfisherman and Leading Club.
15) Registration may be made by phone with Gumby@ 504 914-9551, or e-mail at toohawaiin4u@yahoo.com