The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Tyler S. McCloud.
DIGEST
SB 447 Reengrossed 2022 Regular Session Hensgens
Proposed law requires the La. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to promulgate rules and
regulations to require, beginning in May 2023, monthly commercial menhaden reduction harvest
reports.
Proposed law requires the monthly report include for each set the location by GPS, the estimated
volume, and length of the fish harvested. Proposed law requires the rule provide for the sample size
and method to estimate the length.
Proposed law requires the rule provide for the form, manner, and the date of the month the
department receives the report and procedures to preserve the confidentiality Further, requires any
public information not indicate the captain, vessel, or company.
Proposed law requires, beginning February 10, 2024, the department to annually report to the
oversight committees the commercial menhaden harvest from the prior year based upon the
aggregated data from the monthly reports.
Proposed law provides a "set" means when a purse seine is deployed and encircles a school of
menhaden, regardless of whether those fish are reduced to possession by transferring to the mother
ship or steamer.
(Adds R.S. 56:325.5)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to the
original bill
1. Changes the reporting of the harvest from estimated weight to estimated volume.
2. Makes a technical correction.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Limits proposed law to menhaden reduction fishing.
2. Makes a technical correction.