As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context or use clearly indicates otherwise:

            (1) “Account” means the Fishermen’s Gear Compensation and Underwater Obstruction Removal Dedicated Fund Account.

            (2) “Assistant secretary” means the assistant secretary of the office of conservation within the Department of Energy and Natural Resources or his authorized representatives.

            (3) “Commercial fisherman” means any citizen of the state of Louisiana whose primary source of earnings is from the harvesting of living marine resources for commercial purposes. For purposes of this Paragraph, “earnings” means the earnings derived solely by the personal efforts of the commercial fisherman, exclusive of the income of a spouse or of any community property interest in the income of a spouse.

            (4) “Department” means the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.

            (5) “Fishing gear” means any vessel and any equipment, whether or not attached to a vessel, which is used in the commercial handling or harvesting of living marine resources.

            (6) “Program” means the Fishermen’s Gear Compensation and Underwater Obstruction Removal Program.

            (7) “Secretary” means the secretary of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources or his authorized representatives.

            (8) “Underwater obstruction” means any obstacle, whether natural or manmade, which impedes normal navigation and commercial fishing on the navigable waters of the state.

            Acts 1997, No. 666, §2; Acts 2021, No. 114, §18, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 100, §2, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, No. 150, §5, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.

NOTE: See La. Rev. Stat. 30:101.15 regarding the termination of Part after June 30, 2027.