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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE BILL NO. 468
BY SENATOR ALLAIN
FISH/FISHING. Provides exceptions for certain saltwater fish used as bait. (8/1/12)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:325.2(A), (B), and (C), relative to saltwater recreational fish;2
to provide requirements of possession; to provide exceptions for possession; to3
provide terms and conditions; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 56:325.2(A), (B), and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted to read6
as follows: 7
ยง325.2. Saltwater recreational finfish; total length8
A. All saltwater recreational finfish, except swordfish possessed by a9
recreational fisherman, shall have the head and caudal fin intact until set or put on10
shore. Swordfish and sharks possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be11
skinned until set or put on shore. Tuna shall retain the caudal fin intact until set or12
put on shore and those species of tuna which have minimum size restrictions may13
have the head removed as long as the carcass length without the head exceeds the14
minimum size requirement. All saltwater recreational finfish shall be measured in15
accordance with applicable law. Any garfish caught or possessed by a recreational16
fisherman in the saltwater areas of the state may have the head and caudal fin17 SB NO. 468
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
removed but, until the fish is set or put on shore, it shall retain a strip of skin1
sufficient to clearly identify the fish.2
B. No person shall possess any finfish parts, such as filleted fish, while3
aboard a vessel on the water. For the purpose of consumption at sea aboard the4
harvesting vessel, a person shall have no more than two pounds of finfish parts per5
person on board the vessel, provided that the vessel is equipped to cook such finfish6
and such finfish does not exceed applicable bag limits.7
C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to bait species, the8
following:9
(1) Any legally harvested saltwater recreational finfish being utilized for10
bait, which does not have a size limit and is not in excess of any daily possession11
limits.12
(2) King or spanish mackerel may be cut up and utilized for bait so long13
as the carcass is retained with the head and caudal fin intact while such parts14
are in possession aboard a fishing vessel for purposes of determining legal size15
and possession limits. Such carcasses may only be discarded once the parts or16
pieces of those finfish being utilized as bait are no longer possessed.17
(3) Swordfish possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be skinned18
until set or put on shore.19
(4) Tuna shall retain the caudal fin intact until set or put on shore and20
those species of tuna which have minimum size restrictions may have the head21
removed as long as the carcass length without the head exceeds the minimum22
size requirement.23
(5) Any garfish caught or possessed by a recreational fisherman in the24
saltwater areas of the state may have the head and caudal fin removed but, until25
the fish is set or put on shore, it shall retain a strip of skin sufficient to clearly26
identify the fish.27
* * *28 SB NO. 468
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Allain (SB 468)
Present law provides requirements for recreational fisherman to keep intact certain body
parts of saltwater recreational fish for purposes of validating length requirements and
identifying species.
Proposed law provides that no person shall possess any finfish parts, such as filleted fish,
while aboard a vessel on the water.
Present law exempts "bait species".
Proposed law removes exemption for "bait species".
Proposed law provides an exception from present law for any legally harvested saltwater
recreational finfish being utilized for bait, which does not have a size limit and is not in
excess of any daily possession limits.
Proposed law provides that king or spanish mackerel may be used for the purposes of bait
as long as the carcass is maintained intact with head and tail attached while such parts are
in possession about a fishing vessel for purposes of determining legal size and possession
limits. Further provides that such carcasses may only be discarded when no longer utilizing
parts for bait.
Proposed law provides that swordfish possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be
skinned until set or put on shore.
Proposed law provides that tuna shall retain the caudal fin intact until set or put on shore and
those species of tuna which have minimum size restrictions may have the head removed as
long as the carcass length without the head exceeds the minimum size requirement.
Proposed law provides that any garfish caught or possessed by a recreational fisherman in
the saltwater areas of the state may have the head and caudal fin removed but, until the fish
is set or put on shore, it shall retain a strip of skin sufficiently to clearly identify the fish.
Effective August 1, 2012.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.2(A),(B), and (C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to
the original bill
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Provides certain possession restrictions on finfish.
3. Provides certain exceptions for fish used as "bait".