News Summary

On March 13, 2025, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state documents. This significant change aims to extend Louisiana’s fishing and energy exploration rights from 3 to 9 nautical miles offshore. While the name change reflects a push for more resources, its federal adoption is still uncertain, and there are mixed opinions on the initiative’s impact on education and regional politics. The move is linked to broader trends in renaming prominent geographical features.

Louisiana Governor Makes Waves with Gulf of America Rename

Gray, Louisiana, was abuzz with excitement on March 13, 2025, as Governor Jeff Landry put pen to paper, signing an executive order that aims to redefine how we refer to the waters that hug the Pelican State. From now on, all mentions of the Gulf of Mexico in state laws and documents will be officially called the Gulf of America. This bold move was made during a lively ceremony at the Cypress Columns event venue, right before the governor delivered a luncheon speech to a gathering of local business organizations.

A Wave of Change in Louisiana’s Waters

Gathering state lawmakers for the signing event underscored how significant this change is for Louisiana. The executive order is not just a simple name change; it’s a call to action for Congress to join in. Once the order rolls out, it urges Congress to adopt the new name at a federal level while also striving for a unified territorial jurisdiction for water limits shared among coastal states.

The primary goal of this change is to elevate Louisiana’s fishing and energy exploration rights, extending the area in which these activities can occur from the current 3 nautical miles off its coast to a more competitive 9 nautical miles—similar to what is currently enjoyed by neighboring states like Florida and Texas. This has been a long-standing issue, as Louisiana has been trying to push these boundaries since its statehood, with various proposals failing to gain traction over the decades.

Historical Context: A Maritime Boundaries Tug-of-War

It’s fascinating to note that Florida and Texas were granted these extended offshore rights when they became states back in 1845, while Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have clung to their 3-mile limits that date back to a decision made by Thomas Jefferson in 1793. The push to change this limit reflects Louisiana’s longstanding struggle to secure its fair share of resources from the fertile waters just off its coast.

Aftermath and Reception of the Order

While many are supporting this shift, the executive order doesn’t yet appear to have been uploaded for public access as of late Thursday night, raising some eyebrows about transparency. The governor’s office has not responded to queries regarding its online availability, leaving many curious about the details and implications of this significant change.

Gulf of America: A National Initiative?

This name change has echoes of a similar move by the former President, who earlier issued an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and even designated a snowy mountain in Alaska back to Mount McKinley. Now commemorated as Gulf of America Day, this initiative is touted as a way to “restore American pride.” Although Google Maps jumped on board with the name change, not everyone was happy. The tech giant faced backlash and had to disable comments on the matter due to negative responses.

Educational Revisions and Political Divides

Meanwhile, education in Louisiana is also getting a facelift to fit the new rebranding. The Louisiana Department of Education is updating its social studies curriculum to align with the Gulf of America’s new title, a plan that has received unanimous approval. These updates are set to roll out in the 2025-2026 school year, although existing textbooks won’t need to be replaced. Instead, publishers will simply update the materials to reflect the new nomenclature.

As Louisiana steps into this new era, debates surrounding the name change are heating up. Some districts support the initiative, while others brand it as “divisive,” illustrating the current political climate where opinions vary dramatically. Other Gulf Coast states such as Florida and Alabama are eyeing similar changes but are facing their own hurdles as they gauge public sentiment and navigate the legislative maze.

The Bigger Picture

At the heart of this discussion lies the economic importance of the Gulf. It’s not just a body of water; it’s a resource-rich zone vital for oil and gas production, and Louisiana is determined to get its fair share. While the Gulf of America name may be officially adopted in Louisiana, much of the world, including international news outlets, will likely continue using the original title, the Gulf of Mexico. So, as the debate rages on, this renaming saga is one to watch. What does the future hold for Louisiana’s coastal waters? Only time will tell!

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Author: HERE New Orleans

Tagged louisiana governor, louisiana news, louisiana oil and gas, louisiana politics, louisiana seafood industry, louisiana transportation

Louisiana Governor Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America