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 706 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Zeringue
Abstract: Authorizes possession of up to the possession limit of filleted red drum, spotted sea trout,
or Southern flounder on board a vessel while on the water under certain circumstances.
Present law prohibits possession of over the daily bag limit of red drum, spotted sea trout, or
Southern flounder while fishing or while on the water, unless such recreational saltwater fisherman
is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours
and the vessel is equipped to cook. Further prohibits the possession of filleted fish while aboard a
vessel on the water.
Proposed law allows possession of up to the possession limit of filleted red drum, spotted sea trout,
or Southern flounder while traversing the waterways between a camp owned by the boat operator
and a recognized boat ramp, provided that the filleted fish have sufficient skin remaining on the fillet
for identification of the species, are no less than 2/3 of the minimum legal length, and are separated
by species into plastic containers marked by species and date caught.
(Amends R.S. 56:325.1(A)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Require the fillet to be no less than 2/3 of the minimum legal length.
2. Require sufficient skin to be left on the fillet for identification of the species of fish.
3. Remove the requirement for GPS documentation of route taken from the camp to the
boat ramp.
4. Change the limit from "bag" limit to "possession" limit.