I'm not sure just where this belongs, so if a moderator wishes to move it, thanks!

As some of you know, it is next to impossible for pond owners in Louisiana to obtain a permit to possess tilapia in Louisiana. The surrounding states are much more liberal in this regard. The regulations here are geared entirely for commercial production and include such requirements as indoor tanks, escape proof systems, posting a $25,000 bond, inspections and sending fish as required for testing. I recently spoke with WLF (Wildlife and Fisheries) about any possible relief for private pond owners who would like to raise a few for non-commercial purposes. Although he was very pleasant and offered some alternative fishes, there is no exception in the regulations and will be none unless required by the legislature. I researched the law and it states that possession of tilapia is illegal without a permit from WLF and assigned WLF the responsibility for writing the regulations.

I contacted my state representative and he is interested in modifying the law to allow some type of non-commercial use of tilapia. I am asking any other Louisiana pond owners who would like the opportunity to raise tilapia in our ponds to contact their state representatives and senators. At the moment, they are not able to address this due to the situation with the virus but my rep felt that in 3 weeks, he would be in a position to help.

I'm not an expert by any means but I think that restricting ownership to Mozambique tilapia perhaps north of Alexandria or even Baton Rouge would not put our waterways at risk. From my research, it appears that there was only one instance of tilapia that escaped and survived and that was in extreme south Louisiana.

One question for those with tilapia experience. We have a problem with giant salvinia in our waterways here. Since tilapia eat a lot of vegetation, would they eat that?

I sincerely hope that your legislator and others in Louisiana have the wisdom to realize that water that begins in North Louisiana ends up in South Louisiana and vote to tighten regulations regarding tilapia. Five inch plus rains are relatively common here; ponds overflow, pond fish leave and wild fish enter.

Nutria escaped captivity, as did hogs, and killer bees; with tilapia, the only variable would be time.

If you're reading this, LDW, encourage legislators to tighten rather than loosen regulations regarding tilapia.

If this is considered a political issue, I offer an apology to Forum members and ask the moderators to delete this post.

I would hope they allow this discussion as it directly pertains to the fish that we can keep in our ponds. I think that we can keep any disagreements civil as well. I certainly understand your concerns but believe that some sort of compromise is possible. Our neighboring states allow tilapia and I haven't heard much about any problems that they are having. After reading the regulations, the only way to make them more stringent would be to totally ban possession by everyone. I fail to see that as anything that would be useful. I fully expect that if the legislature does make some provision as I requested, there would be some restrictions and requirements that I would have to meet.

If you are successful in convince the State Legislature that it should risk contaminating the Atchafalaya Basin and all other waters of the State to accommodate the tilapia interests of a few individuals, you have a hugely bright future in politics, Sir.

It may be slightly political but I don’t see any foul.

Dudley, finally get out on parole?

Wasn't so bad as Bubba's wife, Dave. Now at a halfway house with an ankle monitor. Heard it cost you a bundle to avoid time over those pedo and opiates charges.

IIRC, the last I heard from Dudley was his refusal to evacuate during Katrina.

"I'm not leaving without my women, and I can't afford to have them meet each other."

As you know all too well, Theo, all jugglers finally drop a pin. Makes Katrina seem like a dust devil, don't it!

Good to hear from you buddy

I'm all for legally stocking Tilapia in Louisiana ponds. Not to mention a new agricultural market for the state. There is absolutely no risk of "contamination" as Tilapia simply can not survive winter for sure north of I-10 I-49 line. I have not heard any problems with stocking Tilapia from our friends in neighboring states. There was one known area that overwintered Tilapia at the southern most area of LA south of New Orleans and what did we do? Killed all the game fish in the whole area Redfish Trout Bass to name a few instead of waiting for the next cool winter to selectively solve the so said problem. These are not the "A" students who make these decisions in our state. Hopefully someone will have the time to gather all the info on tilapia and present the case to the legislature in an organized manner. Tilapia are beneficial to our fisheries is many ways. I love all you guys! What would we do without Pond Boss! Dr Bob Guillory

I am a Tp guy in my La/ Tx bordering area near Shreveport. my pond is 5 and a half yrs old and I've been adding Tp every year with them dyeing off every year but this year. And I am north of I 20 and I had at least one survive this year. I am defiantly north of I- 40 and I -10 highways.