House Bill No. 757, introduced by Representative Cox, aims to regulate the commercial taking of menhaden, a type of fish, by enacting R.S. 56:320(J). The bill prohibits any person from knowingly and intentionally authorizing, directing, or having control or ownership of an agent or vessel involved in the commercial taking of menhaden within designated areas set by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The legislation establishes strict liability for violations, meaning that individuals can be held accountable regardless of intent.

The penalties for violating this prohibition are structured as follows: a fine of $2,500 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second violation, and $7,500 for a third violation. Notably, the bill removes previous penalties that included the revocation of a commercial fisherman's license and significantly reduces the fines from much higher amounts proposed in earlier drafts. Additionally, the definition of "person" is revised to refer specifically to natural persons.