December 1, 2016 — Louisiana’s recreational anglers have been in an uproar since learning Wednesday morning that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries intends to do away with its popular fish-tagging program. Social-media users have been blasting the department’s administration, especially Secretary Charlie Melancon and Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks, who runs the Office of Fisheries.
The story posted Wednesday on NOLA.com that announced the change has been shared all over Facebook, with frustrated anglers commenting to express their exasperation with the agency and its leaders.
Following are some of the comments:
Kyle Jon Johnson: Wow. “The program provides no meaningful data” ?!?!? How is that dude (Banks) even in that position?
Steve Kissee: Not about the money. Looks like it’s personal now for Melancon! Classic political maneuver.
Mike Daney: I got my first tag kit in the other day. Haven’t even used it. Really disappointed.