SLS 19RS-41 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 65
BY SENATOR LAMBERT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
WILDLIFE/FISHERIES DEPT. Provides for the size and location of escape rings on crab
traps. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:332(K), relative to crab traps; to provide for the size and
3 location of escape rings; and to provide for related matters.
4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 56:332(K) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
6 ยง332. Crabs; release of crabs in berry stage; method of taking crabs; time
7 limitations; by-catch; penalties; abandoned crab trap removal
8 program, escape rings
9 * * *
10 K. Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, each crab trap shall have
11 a minimum of three escape rings. All escape rings shall be placed on the vertical,
12 outside walls flush with the trap floor or baffle, with at least two rings located in the
13 upper chamber of the trap. A minimum of two escape rings shall be located in the
14 upper chamber flush with the baffle. A minimum of one escape ring shall be
15 located in the lower chamber no greater than one mesh length from the trap
16 floor. Beginning on July 1, 2022, all escape rings shall be located no greater
17 than one mesh length from the corners. The minimum sizes of the rings shall be
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 65
SLS 19RS-41 ORIGINAL
1 two and three-eighths inches in inside diameter, not including the ring material. The
2 rings shall be rigid and attached to the trap with material of a an equal or smaller
3 diameter than the wire strands of the trap. Except from April first through June
4 thirtieth and from September first through October thirty-first, escape ring openings
5 shall not be obstructed with any material that prevents or hampers exit of crabs.
6 However, the provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any crab trap
7 constructed of wire mesh two and five-sixteenths inches square or greater.
8 * * *
9 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
10 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
11 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
12 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
13 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 65 Original 2019 Regular Session Lambert
Present law requires each crab trap to have a minimum of three escape rings and be placed
on the vertical, outside walls flush with the trap floor or baffle, with at least two rings
located in the upper chamber.
Proposed law requires a minimum of two escape rings be located in the upper chamber flush
with the baffle and requires a minimum of one escape ring be located in the lower chamber
no greater than one mesh length from the trap floor.
Proposed law requires all escape rings be located no greater than one mesh length from the
corners, beginning on July 1, 2022.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 56:332(K))
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.