GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 706 2018 Regular Session Zeringue
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
FISHING/RECREATIONAL: Relative to possession limits of filleted red drum,
spotted sea trout, or Southern flounder on board a vessel while on the water.
DIGEST
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 a fisherman who holds and possesses a valid recreational fishing license
and can demonstrate certain requirements to the department's satisfaction to possess up to
the possession limit of filleted red drum, spotted sea trout, and Southern flounder.
Proposed law requires the filleted fish to have sufficient skin remaining on the fillet to allow
for identification and be segregated by species into plastic bags or containers that are marked
with certain information. Further provides the required length of the fillets for spotted sea
trout and red drum.
Proposed law requires the fish to be in the possession of the person who took the fish and
prohibits a fisherman from actively fishing or being engaged in fishing while in possession
of more than the daily take limit.
(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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to the
engrossed bill
1. Change the requirements to possess up to the possession limit of filleted red
drum, spotted sea trout, and Southern flounder.
2. Require the fisherman to use a boat launch south of U.S. Highway 90.
3. Change the length requirements for spotted sea trout and red drum.
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Prepared by J. W. Wiley.