Whereas the commissioner of wildlife and fisheries derives large revenues from licenses paid by motor boats engaged in the fishing industry and from severance taxes imposed by law upon the sea food products coming from the coastal parishes of this state, the purpose of R.S. 34:341 and 34:342 is to foster and develop these sea food industries by affording free navigation and lockage in the canals and locks to be acquired, controlled, and operated, under the provisions thereof, while benefiting, in like manner, all other users of said canals and locks.
Because of the equities involved the provisions of R.S. 34:341 and 34:342 shall be broadly construed.
La. Navigation and Shipping § 34:343