The ban was required because of recent alarmingly high harvests of red drum, according to the department's National Marine Fisheries Service. A sharp rise in the popularity of the Louisiana specialty was blamed for the jump in demand, since red drum is the fish most commonly used in preparing the dish.

Why is redfish banned in the US?

Overfishing threatened another fish population, the redfish or red drum, so regulatory agencies stepped in to help in the mid-1980s. New Orleans celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme was famous for his blackened redfish. The surge of interest led to a ban on commercial fishing and a ban on sales in all states but Mississippi.

Is it safe to eat redfish?

Generally redfish, or red drum, is safe to eat as long as it is cooked thoroughly. However, it's not recommended for you to eat it raw, such as in sushi, because it's an ocean fish that could contain parasites.