LAC 76:I.319. Confidentiality of Commercial and For-Hire Industry Landing Data

A. Confidentiality. All data collected or otherwise obtained by personnel or contractors of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in the course of their duties and other landings data collected by personnel or contractors of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission are confidential, and are not to be divulged, except in aggregate form, to any person except employees or contractors of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA/NMFS) whose duties require this information, except as permitted by law or court order. Aggregate form, with respect to data, shall mean data or information submitted by three or more persons that have been summed or assembled in such a manner so as not to reveal, directly or indirectly, the identity or business of any such person. Neither employees nor contractors of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries nor members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will voluntarily release confidential information to another person, firm, or state or federal agencies, except NOAA/NMFS as stated above, and to the extent possible, will oppose other agency and congressional subpoenas to obtain confidential information. B. Neither the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries nor its contractors nor members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will disclose confidential statistics under court order without specific approval by the State Attorney General's Office. Employees or contractors of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or members of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission who have access to confidential statistics shall be subject to the provisions and penalties for unauthorized disclosure.