HLS 17RS-1121 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 475
BY REPRESENTATIVE GISCLAIR
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
FISHING/CRABS: Provides that the removal of derelict crab traps coincide with the
closure of crab season in 2018 and 2019
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:332(N)(2)(c) and to enact R.S. 56:332(N)(2)(d), relative to
3 crab fishing; to authorize the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to prohibit crab
4 traps in state-owned water bottoms during closed season; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:332(N)(2)(c) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
856:332(N)(2)(d) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง332. Crabs; release of crabs in berry stage; method of taking crabs; time
10 limitations; by-catch; penalties; abandoned crab trap removal program
11 * * *
12 N.
13 * * *
14 (2) The commission may prohibit crab traps in state-owned lake and river
15 beds and other water bottoms of the state as follows:
16 * * *
17 (c) At any time crab harvest is closed for biological or technical reasons for
18 the duration of the closure.
19 (c) (d) The period of time for the prohibitions of crab traps authorized in
20 Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph shall be specified by the commission for
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 17RS-1121 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 475
1 each geographical area, which period may be for fewer than the sixteen consecutive
2 days, but shall consist of consecutive days within the sixteen-consecutive-day period.
3 * * *
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 475 Original 2017 Regular Session Gisclair
Abstract: Authorizes the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to prohibit certain crab traps
when the season is closed for biological or technical reasons.
Present law authorizes the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to establish a crab traps
removal program. Specifies the time periods within which crab traps can be prohibited.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that crab traps may be prohibited when crab
season is closed for biological or technical reasons for the duration of the closure.
(Amends R.S. 56:332(N)(2)(c); Adds R.S. 56:332(N)(2)(d))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.