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Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (DWF) biologist hope to recruit recreational anglers to participate in a fish-tagging project designed to help solve some of the mysteries in one of Louisiana's most vital estuaries, the Barataria Basin.

The Marine Sport Fish Tagging Study is a combined effort between four agencies, with the state overseeing much of it. The LSU Coastal Fisheries Institute, Recreational Fisheries Research Institute (RFRI), and Coastal Conservation Louisiana (CCA) will also be involved.

Biologists agree that the success of the project will depend largely on the participation of anglers in this region. The Barataria Basin is a vast estuary, bordered on the west by Bayou Lafourche extending eastward to the Mississippi River. Its southern extremities include the beaches from Grand Isle and Venice, with a northern perimeter along the Intercoastal Waterway.

Speckled trout and redfish, two of the most prized catches by thousands across the state, will be the focus of the study. Almost 70-percent of anglers across the Gulf States cite "specks" as a preferred species. Studies indicate that redfish anglers generate an annual economic impact of nearly $34 million. In 2004, some 670,000 resident and out-of-state fishing licenses were issued in Louisiana.

"The Barataria Basin is such a vast area," said Randy Pausina, a DWF biologist. "We're hoping to get as many people as we can to sign up. These are the people who will be tagging the fish."

Project organizers are encouraging sportsmen from Thibodaux to Houma who fish on the western side of the Barataria Basin. Other regional areas include Grand Isle, Golden Meadow, Galliano, Cut Off, LaRose, Des Allemands, Boutte, Luling and Lafitte. Anglers who fish the east side of the Barataria Basin are have already shown interest in participating.

There is no cost to participate in the study. Interested anglers will call a toll-free number, leave their name and number, and will be contacted directly by a program official. After a brief screening process they will receive tags and instructions.

"We know a lot of generalities, but not many specifics," said Dr. Jim Cowan, professor with the Department of Oceanographic and Coastal Sciences at LSU in Baton Rouge. "The more we know the better off we'll be to make informed decisions in the future."

Marine biologists hope to learn all they can about the lives and daily activities of these fish. But study data will be used to address other critical issues such as coastal erosion, wetlands losses, freshwater diversion projects, and how these environmental changes affects life in this estuary. Veteran anglers and guides have seen significant habitat loss here and believe that the migratory patterns have changed. Project officials hope to answer these and many other questions.

Anglers will keep track of the release points of each tagged fish, and enter this information into a study website from their homes. As the fish are recaptured, migration patterns are tracked, and anglers will be notified when and where their fish was re-captured.

For more information on the Study (800) 891-3977