Louisiana

The Louisiana Menhaden Industry: An Economic Engine for Coastal Communities

Published

11 months ago

April 6, 2025

The Louisiana Menhaden Industry: An Economic Engine for Coastal Communities

For more than a century, Louisiana’s commercial menhaden fishery has been a pillar of the state’s coastal economy, providing stable jobs, sustaining businesses, and fueling essential industries worldwide. From the Gulf waters to global markets, menhaden fishing supports communities and industries that rely on its valuable marine ingredients – fish meal and fish oil – for aquaculture, pet food, and human nutrition.

Leading the industry, Omega Protein and its fishing partner Ocean Harvesters, along with Daybrook Fisheries and its fishing partner Westbank Fishing, operate one of the largest and most productive fisheries in America. Their work transforms Gulf menhaden into high-value products that drive innovation and sustainability across multiple industries.

A Vital Industry for Louisiana

The menhaden industry is more than just fishing – it’s an economic engine that sustains livelihoods and strengthens coastal communities. The industry:

Generates $419 million in annual economic output
Supports over 2,000 direct and indirect jobs
Contributes $25 million in state and local tax revenue
Provides wages exceeding $50,000 per year, plus benefits

These well-paying jobs, particularly in rural areas, sustain Louisiana’s working coast through multiple generations. In a state where commercial fishing is deeply woven into our culture, the menhaden industry ensures that economic opportunity remains a reality for coastal families.

Regional Economic Impact

Together, Omega Protein and Ocean Harvesters generate well over $100 million in economic activity annually, benefiting Vermilion Parish and surrounding areas. With a workforce of more than 260 direct and skilled employees, these companies provide stable, high-wage jobs, offering more than $21 million in annual payroll and benefits – making them among the largest and highest-paying employers in the region.

Likewise, Westbank Fishing, a Louisiana-based, U.S.-owned company, plays a vital role in Plaquemines Parish, with all its catch processed locally at Daybrook Fisheries in Empire, LA. Together, these operations support over 400 employees, making it the largest employer in southern Plaquemines Parish. In 2023, total employee compensation, including wages, bonuses, and benefits, reached $36.5 million, underscoring the industry’s critical economic role in the region.

Statewide, the Louisiana menhaden industry procures goods valued at over $62.4 million from businesses in 32 parishes. Beyond its core operations in Plaquemines ($11.4 million) and Vermilion ($7.4 million) parishes, significant industry-related expenditures flow into: Jefferson Parish ($6.4 million), Terrebonne Parish ($6 million), Lafayette Parish ($5.9 million), Orleans Parish ($3.7 million), East Baton Rouge Parish ($3.5 million) and Lafourche Parish ($3.2 million), among others.

Additional parishes benefiting from over $1 million in industry-driven spending include St. Mary, St. Martin, Calcasieu, Iberia, St. Tammany and St. John the Baptist. Many others receive between $500,000 to $1 million, reinforcing how the menhaden industry fuels local economies far beyond coastal fishing communities.

This widespread economic footprint in Louisiana underscores the industry’s vital role in creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and sustaining Louisiana’s working coast statewide.

Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

When the Louisiana menhaden industry thrives, so do our coastal communities. We are committed to both economic growth and responsible stewardship of our unique coastal environment. Our work supports:

A science-driven approach to fisheries management, ensuring responsible harvest levels and minimal environmental impact
Long-term job stability for generations of fishing families
Innovation in marine ingredient production to improve nutrition worldwide

Louisiana’s menhaden industry has long-balanced economic prosperity with responsible stewardship of our marine resources. Through science-based management and ongoing innovation, we remain committed to sustainable fishing practices that protect our waters, support our communities, and drive economic growth. As we look to the future, this industry will continue to provide stable jobs, strengthen local businesses, and deliver essential products that power global nutrition—ensuring that Louisiana’s working coast thrives for generations to come.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for March 3, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

6-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

3-6-7-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing

0-8-3-2-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Louisiana

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past

The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.

Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, is accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office

The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.

He was arrested in October.

Booking photo of Misty Clanton Roberts. — Brandon’s sister, Misty, the ex-mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, allegedly raped her son’s teenage friend. AP

That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.

Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.

She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

3-9-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

4-1-1-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 2 drawing

0-5-2-9-5

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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