RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 205 (HB 303) 2015 Regular Session Gisclair
Current 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.
Prior law required 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%, prior law further required 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.
New 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.
Effective Aug. 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.4(D))