ENROLLED
ACT No. 205
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 303
BY REPRESENTATIVE GISCLAIR
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:325.4(D), relative to stock assessments of certain finfish; to
3 remove the requirement that the assessments for black drum, sheepshead, and
4 flounder contain certain information for each species; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:325.4(D) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง325.4. Commercial taking of other saltwater finfish; exceptions; mesh size
9 * * *
10 D.(1) The commission shall monitor and evaluate the condition of the black
11 drum, sheepshead, and flounder species in Louisiana waters and establish
12 management targets to ensure a sustainable population. A peer reviewed report of
13 the findings of the evaluation status of each stock and an evaluation of management
14 measures shall be submitted every five years to the legislature no later than March
15 first of each that year. The report shall contain the following information for each
16 species:
17 (a) The spawning potential ratio.
18 (b) A biological condition and profile of the species and a stock assessment.
19 (2) If data indicate that the spawning potential ratio is below thirty percent
20 a fishery is not meeting or is likely not to meet the established targets, the
21 department shall, within two weeks after such finding is confirmed, close the season
22 for a period of at least one year , or shall provide, for the commission's consideration,
23 management options derived from data that indicate that the spawning potential ratio
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 303 ENROLLED
1 is estimated to have at least a fifty percent chance of recovery to a thirty percent ratio
2 within ten years or some other appropriate recovery period based on the biology of
3 the stock of the fish, environmental conditions, and the needs of the fishing
4 communities. to ensure that the species can meet the management targets established
5 for that species.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.