Senate Bill No. by Senator Fesi aims to regulate the menhaden fishery in Louisiana by amending R.S. 56:324. The bill introduces a new restriction that limits commercial menhaden companies using purse seines in Louisiana territorial waters to a maximum annual catch of 315 million pounds of menhaden. Additionally, it retains the existing provision that prohibits anyone legally taking menhaden from possessing more than five percent, by weight, of any fish species other than menhaden and herring-like species.

The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026, and are intended to ensure sustainable fishing practices within the menhaden fishery, thereby protecting the species and the ecosystem. The bill reflects a commitment to managing fishery resources responsibly while allowing for commercial fishing activities.

Statutes affected:
SB186 Original: