STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE No. 42: DIRECT REDUCTION OF NUTRIA

National Park Service

Section 905 of Public Law 95-625 states that "Within the Barataria Marsh Unit, the Secretary shall permit hunting, fishing (including commercial fishing), and trapping in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws ... " This allows for the continuation of "traditional uses" including the trapping of furbearing animals within the Barataria Preserve Unit of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. A Trapping Management Plan was approved and implemented in October 1990 to regulate trapping activities and to control nutria (Myocaster coypus), a non-native furbearer. The Plan set up a three tiered approach to nutria population control: permit trapping leases, contract trapping, and direct reduction. The recommended take of nutria is 3,000 -5,000 animals per year to reduce the likelihood of "eat-outs" and competition with native wildlife. Data indicates that the park has not met nutria reduction goals through traditional trapping, presenting the potential for greater damage to the resource and the continued proliferation of an exotic species. The park will undertake a direct reduction program to control nutria populations.