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Committee approves AIS requirement for menhaden vessels, agrees to technical fixes
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Summary
HB 872 would require AIS (or VMS) on all menhaden commercial vessels; the committee adopted technical amendments and asked the sponsor to work with industry on implementation detail.
The House Natural Resources Committee on April 8 reported HB 872 favorable after adopting technical amendments and discussing implementation questions with industry.
Representative Zarrang said the bill would require all commercial menhaden vessels — not just mother ships — to use AIS or VMS so the department and public can better track where sets occur. The committee adopted two technical changes to the bill on the floor.
Industry representatives said they do not oppose vessel-tracking in principle but requested practical flexibilities: smaller net boats are not always built to host AIS units, units must be programmed for a vessel’s MMSI, and installation logistics require time and service. Francois Cottle asked for a grace period for installation and for rules allowing mother-ship-deployed net boats to be tracked differently when stowed, noting it “could confuse the hell out of pilots” if multiple AIS units were active near slips.
Sponsor Representative Zarrang said he would work with industry and the department on implementation language and amendments if the bill reaches the floor. The committee reported HB 872 favorable with the technical amendments adopted and an agreement to continue working on practical deployment details.
