Louisiana Senate Bill SCR67

Louisiana 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/3/17
• Refer: 5/8/17
• Report Pass: 5/15/17
• Passed: 5/16/17
• Engrossed: 5/16/17
• Refer: 5/17/17
• Report Pass: 5/23/17

Caption

Memorializes Congress to pass legislation or adopt policies allowing Louisiana to manage the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery out to two hundred nautical miles off the coast of Louisiana.

Impact

If enacted, this resolution would direct Congress to reconsider the allocation and management of the red snapper fishery, which has implications for state laws regarding fisheries and local economic interests. Currently, the federal government oversees fishing regulations, critiqued in the resolution for failing to utilize modern data effectively to manage the fishery. By advocating for Louisiana's autonomy in managing this resource, the resolution underscores the importance of local governance in addressing fisheries management and would potentially alter the legal landscape for how fisheries are regulated in the state.

Summary

SCR67 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that aims to memorialize the United States Congress to pass legislation allowing Louisiana to manage the Gulf of Mexico's red snapper fishery up to 200 nautical miles offshore. The resolution highlights the inadequacies of federal management over the red snapper fishery, especially concerning the duration of the recreational fishing season which has been notably short. This move is intended to advocate for local management that is more attuned to the realities of recreational fishermen in Louisiana, suggesting a disconnect between federal regulations and state needs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR67 appears to be supportive, particularly among local stakeholders like recreational anglers who feel the federal management has not served their interests. There’s a palpable frustration regarding a perceived ineffectiveness of federal oversight, arguing that local control could lead to better outcomes for both the fishing industry and conservation efforts. The resolution reflects a desire for states to have more authority to implement rules that accurately reflect local ecological conditions and economic needs.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the ongoing federal management strategies that have allowed privatization of the red snapper shares and have raised concerns about conflicts of interest in regulatory decisions. Critics of the current system believe that private management leads to an uneven distribution of access to the fishery and limits opportunities for recreational fishermen. The resolution thus advocates for a shift in regulatory power from federal oversight to state management, which could lead to ongoing debates about the balance between local and federal control over natural resources.