Urges and requests the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to not move forward with implementation of their announced red snapper management pilot program
Impact
If enacted, HCR113 could significantly shift the management of recreational fishing in Louisiana, particularly concerning red snapper. The resolution calls for state management of this fishery in both federal and state waters, which would allow for regulations that are more tailored to the specific conditions and fish populations in Louisiana. Advocates argue that local management would enhance accessibility for recreational fishermen and enable more sustainable practices tailored to the unique ecological and economic context of Louisiana's waters.
Summary
HCR113 is a concurrent resolution that urges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to halt the implementation of a proposed red snapper management pilot program. This resolution stems from concerns that the current fishing regulations set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council may not adequately reflect the specific population dynamics of red snapper found off the Louisiana coast. The resolution emphasizes the need for the state to pursue a management strategy that benefits all fishermen, rather than a selected few who would participate in the pilot program led by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HCR113 appears to be generally supportive among local anglers and stakeholders who believe that state management would better serve their interests. However, there is also a notable tension between local stakeholders and federal regulatory bodies. While local fishermen express optimism about potential benefits from state-level management, there is skepticism regarding the federal regulations' effectiveness and their impact on the livelihood of Louisiana fishermen. The resolution reflects a desire for more local control over fishing resources and access.
Contention
HCR113 brings to light the ongoing debate between state vs. federal management of fisheries. Some lawmakers are concerned that the existing federal framework does not adequately address the specific needs of Louisiana's red snapper fishery, as it applies blanket regulations across diverse fishing environments. The resolution reflects a call to action for the Department to refuse the pilot program and instead push for broader access and rights for all fishermen in Louisiana, ensuring that management solutions are equitable and not just beneficial to a limited group.
Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to develop a proposal seeking Open Ocean TIG and RW TIG funds to monitor red snapper and other reef fish impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Memorializes congress to encourage the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Marine Fisheries Council, and the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council to adopt a weekend-only fishery for red snapper
Memorializes Congress and requests the secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to take such action as necessary to require the regional administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service's Southeast Regional Office and his scientists to attend a meeting of the Louisiana Senate Committee on Natural Resources and provide information on the red snapper season.
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.
Expresses support for the proposed changes to the Magnuson-Stevens Act found in the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act and the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017
Urges the Sabine River Authority and the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to work with their Texas counterpart to develop consistent fishing regulations on Toledo Bend
Requests that the Bd. of Regents and the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education, with the Taylor Foundation, La. Office of Student Financial Assistance, public postsecondary education management boards, and certain others, study certain issues relative to TOPS
Requests the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to study employment practices and professional licensing requirements to benefit veterans in the workforce
Creates a task force to study meaningful oversight of the professional healthcare licensing boards statutorily created within the Department of Health and Hospitals.