HLS 10RS-379 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 888
BY REPRESENTATIVES ST. GERMAIN AND DOVE AND SENATOR B.
GAUTREAUX
FISHING/FINFISH: Provides for identification of certain saltwater finfish
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:325.2(A) and 326(E)(1)(a), relative to finfish; to provide for2
identification of certain saltwater finfish; and to provide for related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 56:325.2(A) and 326(E)(1)(a) are hereby amended and reenacted to5
read as follows: 6
§325.2. Saltwater recreational fish; total length7
A. All saltwater finfish, except garfish and swordfish possessed by a8
recreational fisherman, shall have the head and caudal fin intact until set or put on9
shore. Swordfish and sharks possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be10
skinned until set or put on shore. Tuna shall retain the caudal fin intact until set or11
put on shore and those species of tuna which have minimum size restrictions may12
have the head removed as long as the carcass length without the head exceeds the13
minimum size requirement. All saltwater finfish shall be measured in accordance14
with applicable law. Any garfish caught or possessed by a recreational fisherman in15
the saltwater areas of the state may have the head and caudal fin removed but, until16
the fish is set or put on shore, it shall retain a strip of skin sufficient to clearly17
identify the fish.18
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§326. Size and possession limits; commercial fish20
* * *21 HLS 10RS-379 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 888
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
E.(1)(a) All saltwater finfish except tuna, garfish, swordfish, and sharks1
possessed by a commercial fisherman shall have the head and caudal fin intact until2
set or put on shore or when sold. Those species of tuna which have minimum size3
restrictions may have the head removed so long as the carcass length without the4
head exceeds the minimum size requirement. Swordfish and sharks possessed by a5
commercial fisherman shall not be skinned until set or put on shore or when sold.6
No shark fin shall be possessed aboard a vessel unless naturally attached to the7
original shark carcass. A shark may have the head removed so long as the carcass8
length without the head exceeds the legal minimum size requirement, but the shark9
shall have all fins intact and naturally attached, including the caudal fin. All garfish10
caught or possessed by a commercial fisherman in the saltwater areas of the state11
may have the head and caudal fin removed, but shall retain a strip of skin sufficient12
to clearly identify the fish until set or put on shore or when sold. All saltwater13
finfish shall be measured in accordance with applicable law.14
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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)]
St. Germain HB No. 888
Abstract: Provides for identification of saltwater fish including garfish and sharks.
Present law requires all saltwater finfish, except garfish and swordfish, possessed by a
commercial or a recreational fisherman to have the head and caudal fin intact until onshore.
Proposed law authorizes garfish possessed by a recreational or a commercial fisherman to
have the head and caudal fin removed but requires retention of a strip of skin sufficient to
identify the fish.
Proposed law prohibits the possession of a shark fin aboard a vessel unless it is still attached
to the shark carcass. Authorizes the removal of a shark's head as long as the carcass exceeds
the legal minimum size, but requires that all fins remain intact.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.2(A) and 326(E)(1)(a))