(a)
The department’s black bass management program shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:
(1)
The department shall determine the angler harvest of black bass populations and shall recommend to the commission the changes in angling regulations for black bass that would be necessary to prevent or correct overharvest.
(2)
The department shall consider recommending to the commission catch and release regulations for black bass, including minimum or maximum size restrictions and management for trophy-sized black bass in some waters.
(3)
The department shall consider the suitability of the many different species, subspecies, and strains of black bass when management programs are formulated.
(4)
The department shall improve shoreline habitat for black bass in waters where insufficient habitat exists and shall encourage reservoir operating agencies to carry out shoreline habitat improvement projects.
(b)
For the purposes of this section, “black bass” means fishes of the Centrarchidae family.