Early
observations by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’
(LDWF) biologists surveying the damage to fish and game habitats
impacted by Hurricane Ike’s Sept. 13 landfall are now
available on the LDWF Web site.
Preliminary
air, ground and surface water surveys by LDWF’s Inland
and Marine Fisheries Division biologists were conducted within
the first two weeks following Ike’s pass through the
state. Findings were compiled in a report detailing, by region,
the damage in southeast, south central and southwest coastal
parishes hit by high winds and storm surge; and to the northern
freshwater waterways affected mainly by heavy rains.
The report
is an early look at infrastructure and biological resource
impacts that will affect commercial and recreational fishing
resources for months and years to come. Coastal parishes,
already recovering from Hurricane Ike, were again affected
by the loss of power which shut down commercial docks and
marinas, ice production facilities and seafood processing
plants.
Inland
waterway surveys noted the movement of water that created
low dissolved oxygen levels, producing high fish mortalities
in the Atchafalaya Basin, and additionally in south central
Louisiana waterways and northeastern waterbodies to a lesser
extent.
Wildlife
Division biologists observed broken and scoured marshes in
limited areas within Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Ike’s
main impacts to wildlife areas were noted as heavy rain and
flood water events in parishes affected. Wildlife species
mortalities were not noted in great numbers.
The complete
reports are available at www.wlf.louisiana.gov
and can be accessed via the Hurricane Preparation and Response
link under LA Announcements.
