Nutria, native to South America, is an introduced and invasive semi-aquatic rodent. The decline in fur trapping activity since the mid-1980s
has resulted in over population of nutria with severe over grazing occurring throughout coastal Louisiana. When vegetation is removed from the
surface of the marsh from nutria over grazing, the very fragile organic soils are exposed to erosion through tidal action. It is estimated that
more than 23,000 acres of wetlands are presently heavily impacted by nutria.
The Lafourche Parish Game and Fish Commission (Commission) solicits bids to harvest nutria in the Lake Field/Lake Long Game and Fish Preserve
Preserve) for fur or for reimbursement from the Nutria Control Program; an individual was granted a permit. The Nutria Control
Program began in 2002 and is administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and funded through The Coastal Wetlands Planning,
Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA). An economic incentive payment of $5 per nutria tail is provided when they are delivered by registered
participants to collection centers established in coastal Louisiana. The Nutria Control Program regulations and application forms are available. Proper licenses from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be required.
