Program A: Fisheries

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Program A: Fisheries

Program Authorization: La. Const. Article IX, Sec. 7

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of the Fisheries Program is to maximize biological, economic, social, commercial and recreational benefits from the renewable fishery resources and associated habitats of Louisiana while preserving future options for using these resources. The state consistently ranks among the top three in the nation in commercial fisheries production while also providing exceptional recreational fishing opportunities. The program mission is to manage and conserve the state's renewable fishery resources and supporting habitats. This is accomplished by setting seasons and other harvest limits; replenishing habitats; researching the functions of the natural systems which support the resource; and promoting the prudent use of these resources. This program has only one activity, Fisheries.

OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

1. In FY 1998-99, the Fisheries Program will maintain or increase availability and harvest of shellfish (shrimp and crab) from Louisiana waters.

2. In FY 1998-99, the Fisheries Program will maintain or increase the availability and harvest of oysters from Louisiana waters.

3. In FY 1998-99, the Fisheries Program will maintain or increase the availability and harvest of marine finfish from Louisiana and adjacent waters.

1 A fish species is considered not to be over fished if its population is sustainable and will persist into the foreseeable future. There are 7 major finfish species: menhaden, spotted sea trout, red drum, black drum, mullet, sheepshead, and flounder.

4. In FY 1998-99, the Fisheries Program will maintain or increase the availability of inland (freshwater) fishes from Louisiana waters.

5. In FY 1998-99, the Fisheries Program will maintain or increase current level of control of undesirable aquatic vegetation in Louisiana fresh waterbodies.

RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM

SOURCE OF FUNDING

The Fisheries Program is funded with state general fund, interagency transfer of funds from the Department of Natural Resources for the Caernarvon and Davis Pond Projects; statutory dedications from the Oil Spill Contingency Fund, the Conservation Fund, the Artificial Reef Fund and the Oyster Sanitation Fund (Per R.S.39:32B.(8), see table below for a listing of expenditures out of each statutory dedicated fund). Federal grants are received from the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act, EPA, Department of Commerce National Marine Service, Dire Emergency, the Department of Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL FUND	TOTAL	T.O.	DESCRIPTION

$0	$12,482,362	216	ACT 18 FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998

			BA-7 TRANSACTIONS:
$0	$462,983	0	Carryforward
$0	$26,400	0	BA-7 for Uniform Cleaning Allowance for Aquatic Weed Control Personnel
$0	$626,484	20	Approved BA-7 for transfer of Oyster Survey operations to Office of Fisheries

$0	$13,598,229	236	EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET - December 10, 1997

$0	($462,983)	0	Nonrecurring Carryforward for equipment not received timely and contracts not completed timely
$0	($391,277)	0	Equipment/Major Repairs Adjustment(s) (nonrecurring -$1,552,356; replacement +$1,161,079)
$0	$99,709	0	Annualization of 1997 -'98 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
$0	$164,334	0	1998 -'99 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
$0	$91,244	0	Attrition Adjustment(s)
$0	($34,304)	0	Retirement Rate Adjustment(s)
$0	$3,311	0	Adjustment(s) for Civil Service, Training, and other Statewide Interagency Transfer Activities
$0	($72,446)	0	Reductions in various Expenditure categories; Including Reductions to fully fund salaries
$0	($285,934)	(9)	Personnel Reduction(s)
$0	$260,008	0	Dire Emergency Federal Projects
$0	($674,445)	0	LOOP projects not renewed
$0	($584,746)	0	Completed portion of Dire Emergency
$0	($118,499)	0	Completed portion of DAVIS Pond Environmental Monitoring
$0	$742,905	0	Approved BA-7 for Underwater Obstruction Removal, Aquatic Weed Control, etc.
$0	$72,654	0	Increased funding for Artificial Reef Program for Buoy Replacements

$0	$12,407,760	227	GRAND TOTAL RECOMMENDED

$0	($1,190,669)	(9)	DIFFERENCE (TOTAL RECOMMENDATION AND EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET)

The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 91.2% of the existing operating budget. It represents 56.9% of the total request ($21,777,565) for this program. the reductions in this program are due to the completion of the one-time purchase of equipment, completion of some Federal Dire Emergency projects and the completion of environmental monitoring for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

$1,688		Laboratory analysis
$2,697		Medical examinations for new employees
$40,377		Artificial Reef Program - properly site and position reef materials and generate maps for public information

$44,762		TOTAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OTHER CHARGES

$429,550		Federal funding for removal of underwater obstructions, aquatic weed control
$654,807		Research contracts with various universities for inland and marine fisheries
$34,646		Uniform cleaning allowances
$106,084		Artificial Reef research contracts and water quality research projects

$1,225,087		TOTAL OTHER CHARGES

		Interagency Transfers:
$16,483		Department of Civil Service
$1,899		Comprehensive Public Training Program

$18,382		TOTAL INTERAGENCY TRANSFERS

ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

$177,596		Replacement of 10 vehicles with high mileage too costly to maintain/repair
$183,041		Replacement of various household equipment
$200,000		Replacement of various laboratory equipment
$169,963		Replacement of various office and miscellaneous equipment
$400,070		Replacement of various boats, motors, trailers, etc.
$72,654		Purchase new buoys for the Artificial Reef Projects
$118,700		Repairs to various equipment, buoys, boats, motors, etc.

$1,322,024		TOTAL ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

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