HLS 10RS-879 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 545
BY REPRESENTATIVE BALDONE
FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Provides that the commercial season for speckled trout remain
open until the maximum annual quota is reached
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:325.3(A)(1), relative to commercial taking of spotted sea2
trout; to provide that the open season for such taking shall close each year when the3
maximum annual quota is reached; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 56:325.3(A)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:6
ยง325.3. Spotted sea trout commercial taking; annual quota; red drum commercial7
taking, possession, or landing prohibited8
A.(1) The commission shall establish a maximum annual quota for the9
commercial harvest of spotted sea trout taken within Louisiana waters or landed in10
Louisiana which shall not exceed one million pounds nor shall it be less than five11
hundred thousand pounds. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission shall12
establish an open season for the commercial harvest of spotted sea trout which shall13
run from the second day of January through the last day of July each year or until the14
maximum annual quota is reached, whichever comes first. The commercial harvest15
or taking of spotted sea trout is prohibited during the period from sunset on Friday16
through sunrise on Monday, and there shall be no possession of spotted sea trout in17
excess of the recreational limit during the period between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.18
However, when not on a commercial fishing trip, a person holding a permit for the19
commercial taking or possessing of spotted sea trout may take or possess an amount20 HLS 10RS-879 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 545
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
not to exceed the legal recreational limit of spotted sea trout between the hours of1
10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. during the open season and at any time during the closed2
season if that person also possesses a basic recreational fishing license and a3
saltwater fishing license. Only a rod and reel shall be used for the commercial4
harvest of spotted sea trout. The provisions of this Section are subject to quotas and5
size limits as established by law and rules and regulations of the commission. Fish6
taken under recreational licenses shall not be sold, bartered, traded, or exchanged.7
* * *8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Baldone HB No. 545
Abstract: Provides that the season for commercial take of speckled trout closes when the
annual quota has been reached.
Present law requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to establish an annual quota for
the commercial harvest of speckled trout. Requires the commission to establish an open
season for the commercial taking of speckled trout to run from Jan. 2 each year to July 31
or until the annual quota is met, whichever comes first.
Proposed law provides that the season remains open until the quota is reached.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.3(A)(1))