HLS 12RS-3308 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 135
BY REPRESENTATIVES COX AND BURFORD
FISHING/RECREATIONAL: Requests the secretary of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to reexamine the agreement relative to
creel limits applicable to waters shared between Louisiana and Texas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the2
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to reexamine the agreement relative to creel3
limits applicable to waters shared between Louisiana and Texas.4
WHEREAS, after many years of separate and inconsistent fishing regulations5
adopted and enforced by the states of Texas and Louisiana on shared waters in Caddo Lake,6
Toledo Bend Reservoir, and the Sabine River, and several failed attempts at compromise,7
in 2011, the two states tried once again to come to an agreement as to standard size and creel8
limits; and9
WHEREAS, through diligent efforts and amicable cooperation between the resource10
agencies of the two states, agreement was reached on size and creel limits and new duplicate11
fishing regulations were enacted by both states with application of the new regulations12
beginning on September 1, 2011; and13
WHEREAS, although consistency of regulations on shared waters eases enforcement14
of regulations, there is a general sense in the fishing community that use those shared waters15
that compromise was reached through Louisiana agreeing to large reductions in their16
traditional take limits while Texas anglers were faced with only minor changes to their17
traditional fishing regulations and size limits; and18
WHEREAS, Louisiana anglers are frustrated by the very restrictive take limits,19
particularly by the fact that the new regulations were adopted after many years of abiding20 HLS 12RS-3308 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 135
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by regulations that allowed a fisherman to take enough fish to easily feed his family1
throughout the year; and2
WHEREAS, although the fishermen understand the value of consistency and ease3
of enforcement, they are frustrated that the fact that the consistency and ease is being4
pursued at the cost of the fishermen's enjoyment of the sport and ability to feed his family.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby6
urge and request the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Wildlife7
and Fisheries Commission to reexamine the agreement relative to creel limits applicable to8
waters shared between Louisiana and Texas.9
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the10
secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the chairman of the Wildlife and11
Fisheries Commission.12
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)]
Cox HCR No. 135
Requests the secretary of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission to reexamine the agreement relative to creel limits applicable to waters shared
between La. and Texas.