ENROLLED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 83
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 401
BY REPRESENTATIVE GISCLAIR
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:497(A)(2) and (C)(1), relative to management and taking of2
shrimp; to authorize the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to set shrimp seasons,3
including bait shrimp seasons; to provide relative to a bait shrimp permit and rules4
and regulations therefor; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 56:497(A)(2) and (C)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted to read7
as follows:8
ยง497. Saltwater shrimp seasons; bait shrimp9
A.10
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(2) The open seasons for all or part of the state waters shall be fixed by the12
commission., with the exception of the spring brown shrimp season in that portion13
of Louisiana's inshore waters from the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi14
River westward to the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh15
Island. The spring brown shrimp seasons in this area shall be opened by the16
commission no later than the third Monday in May after considering the department's17
projection as to when fifty percent of the brown shrimp crop will be one hundred per18
pound or greater. The commission, through the secretary, shall close the season19
based on biological and technical data. In addition, notwithstanding the provisions20
of R.S. 56:499, when opening a special shrimp season or extending a regular shrimp21
season, the commission shall have the authority for the duration of that season or22
extension to increase the minimum mesh size provided in R.S. 56:499 for any trawl,23
skimmer net, or butterfly net.24
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
C.(1) The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is authorized to1
adopt rules and regulations for a under the Administrative Procedure Act to provide2
for an annual special bait dealers permit and to allow the taking of live bait shrimp3
and live croaker by qualified permit holders during the closed shrimp season.4
beginning May first of each year and between the spring and fall shrimp seasons5
pursuant to such rules and regulations. The fee for such permit shall be one hundred6
ten dollars per year., and the permit may be purchased any time between January first7
and April thirtieth of each year. All revenues received through the sale of such8
permits shall be used for the administration of the bait dealer program.9
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SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: