Concept Development for the Louisiana Marine Enhancement, Research and Science Center

Immediately following the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, Louisiana Department of Wildlife fisheries biologists and fisheries managers began studying the spill's impacts on marine fisheries and other natural resources and identifying options for restoration of those resources injured by the spill. The proposed Louisiana Marine Fisheries Enhancement, Research and Science Center is a key component of Louisiana's early restoration plan. The Center identifies several features, including three fisheries enhancement and research locations across the states coast. The plan is to include marine fisheries stock enhancement, sportfish and aquaculture research, information and edcucational facilities. The Department has contracted with HDR to provide the planning and inital development of these three sites to produce a world class facility for adressing many of the marine ecosystem needs relating to habitat restoration, marine mammel recovery, fish research and enhancement and public education.