HLS 17RS-855 ENGROSSED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 156
BY REPRESENTATIVE DWIGHT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
FISHING/OYSTERS: Provides for the gear authorized for oyster harvest on Calcasieu Lake
and Sabine Lake
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:435.1(A) and 435.1.1(A)(2) and (C), relative to oyster harvest
3 in Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake; to provide for the gear authorized for oyster
4 harvest on Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 56:435.1(A) and 435.1.1(A)(2) and (C) are hereby amended and
7reenacted to read as follows:
8 §435.1. Sabine Lake; methods of harvest; penalty; season; self-propelled vessels;
9 harvested oysters
10 A. Oysters may be harvested in Sabine Lake using only hand tongs. , a hand
11 scraper, or a single scraper with mechanical assist with a flat bar length of no more
12 than thirty-six inches.
13 * * *
14 §435.1.1. Oyster harvest in Calcasieu Lake
15 A.
16 * * *
17 (2) Such permit shall be in addition to all other licenses and permits required
18 for harvesting of oysters. At all times, such oyster harvesting shall be limited to
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 156
1 using hand tongs. , a hand scraper, or use of a single scraper with mechanical assist
2 and a flat bar length of no more than thirty-six inches is allowed.
3 * * *
4 C. The commission shall fix the open season for oyster harvest tonging in
5 Calcasieu Lake, which shall begin on any date between October fifteenth and
6 November first and shall end on April thirtieth. However, in consultation with the
7 Calcasieu Oyster Task Force, the commission may open or close the season as
8 biological data indicate a need and may manage East Cove and West Cove
9 separately.
10 * * *
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)]
HB 156 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Dwight
Abstract: Limits the gear used for oyster harvest on Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake to
tonging.
Present law provides for oyster harvest on Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake. Provides that
such harvest may be by use of tongs, a hand scraper, or a single scraper with mechanical
assist and a flat bar length of no more than 36 inches.
Proposed law limits the gear used for oyster harvest on Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake to
hand tonging.
(Amends R.S. 56:435.1(A) and 435.1.1(A)(2) and (C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Limit the tonging in both Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake to hand tonging.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.