DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 303 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Gisclair
Abstract: Requires Wildlife and Fisheries to use management targets rather than spawning
potential ratios for assessment of certain finfish species.
Present law requires the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries monitor and evaluate the health of the black
drum, sheepshead, and flounder fish species in La. waters. Further requires a peer reviewed report
of the findings be submitted to the legislature every five years. Requires the report contain the
spawning potential ratio (SPR) and a biological condition and profile of the species and a stock
assessment.
If the data indicate the SPR is below 30%, present law further requires the department to close the
season for at least one year and submit to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission management
options that have a 50% chance to recover the stock to a 30% SPR within 10 years.
Proposed law retains the requirement for the commission to monitor and evaluate the fish stocks but
requires the commission to establish management targets to ensure a sustainable population. Retains
the requirement for submission of a stock assessment report every five years but removes the
requirement for use of a spawning potential ratio. Further removes the requirement for closing the
season but requires that if the fishery is not meeting the adopted targets, the department must submit
management options to the commission to ensure the species meets the management targets
established for that fishery.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.4(D))