HLS 14RS-2528 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1154
BY REPRESENTATIVE GISCLAIR
FISHING/CRABS: Provides for the size and number of escape rings on crab traps
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:332(K), relative to crab trap escape rings; to provide for a2
minimum size for such rings; to provide for the minimum number of escape rings for3
each crab trap; to remove the exemption for traps placed in Lake Pontchartrain; and4
to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 56:332(K) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:7
ยง332. Crabs; release of crabs in berry stage; method of taking crabs; time8
limitations; by-catch; penalties; abandoned crab trap removal program;9
escape rings10
* * *11
K. Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, each crab trap shall have12
a minimum of two three escape rings. All escape rings shall be placed on the13
vertical, outside walls flush with the trap floor or baffle, with at least one ring two14
rings located in each the upper chamber of the trap. The minimum sizes of the rings15
shall be two and five-sixteenths three-eights inches in inside diameter, not including16
the ring material. The rings shall be rigid and attached to the trap with material of17
a smaller diameter than the wire strands of the trap. Except from April first through18
June thirtieth and from September first through October thirty-first, escape ring19
openings shall not be obstructed with any material that prevents or hampers exit of20 HLS 14RS-2528 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1154
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
crabs. However, the provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any crab trap1
constructed of wire mesh two and five-sixteenths inches square or greater or any crab2
trap placed in Lake Pontchartrain.3
* * *4
Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall become effective November 15, 2017, and5
shall be applicable to license year 2017 and thereafter.6
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)]
Gisclair HB No. 1154
Abstract: Provides for the size and number of escape rings on crab traps.
Present law, relative to escape rings on crab traps, requires at least two escape rings on the
outside walls of the trap with at least one in each chamber of the trap. Proposed law would
require three escape rings with at least two in the upper chamber of the trap.
Present law requires the escape rings to be no less than 2 and 5/16ths inches in diameter.
Proposed law would change the diameter to 2 and 3/8ths inches.
Present law exempts from these requirements crab traps with a mesh of 2 and 5/16ths inches
and traps in Lake Pontchartrain. Proposed law removes the exemption for traps placed in
Lake Pontchartrain.
Effective November 15, 2017, and applicable to license year 2017 and thereafter.
(Amends R.S. 56:332(K))