HLS 21RS-934 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 551
BY REPRESENTATIVE CORMIER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Provides relative to the menhaden season
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 56:325.5, relative to menhaden; to provide for a menhaden season; to prohibit
3 the taking of menhaden in certain waters; to authorize and establish specific areas
4 where menhaden is acceptable to take; to provide sunset instructions; and to provide
5 for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:325.5 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง325.5 Menhaden season; prohibitions
9 A. The season for the taking and processing of menhaden shall be from the
10 third Monday in April through November first. Menhaden may only be landed in
11 Louisiana ports during this season.
12 B.(1) Menhaden may be taken only in the following waters:
13 (a) One fourth statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line as defined in
14 R.S. 56:495 including waters in the Federal Exclusive Economic Zone.
15 (b) In Chandeleur and Breton Sounds, one fourth statute mile seaward of the
16 double rig line as defined in R.S. 56:495.1(A)(2).
17 (c) In the area from Belle Pass to Grand Terre as defined relative to the
18 inside-outside line defined in R.S. 56:495 as follows:
19 (i) One statute mile seaward from Belle Pass to Caminada Pass.
20 (ii) Three statute miles seaward from Caminada Pass to Barataria Pass.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-934 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 551
1 (iii) One statute mile seaward from Barataria Pass to the east side of Grand
2 Terre Island.
3 (2) All other inside waters and passes are permanently closed to menhaden
4 fishing.
5 C. This Section shall sunset and expire six months after a study on menhaden
6 bycatch is completed by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or on April 1,
7 2024, whichever occurs first.
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 551 Original 2021 Regular Session Cormier
Abstract: Provides for the menhaden season and provides relative to the waters for which
the menhaden season applies.
Present LAC provides the season for the taking and processing of menhaden and that
menhaden can only be landed at Louisiana ports during the menhaden season. Proposed law
codifies present LAC.
Present LAC further provides that the menhaden season applies to all waters seaward of the
inside-outside line.
Proposed law changes present LAC by allowing the taking of menhaden in the following
waters:
(1)One fourth statute mile seaward of the inside-outside line including waters in the
Federal Exclusive Economic Zone.
(2)One fourth statute mile seaward of the double rig line as defined in present law for
Breton and Chandeleur Sounds.
(3)One statute mile seaward from Belle Pass to Caminada Pass.
(4)Three statute miles seaward from Caminada Pass to Barataria Pass.
(5) One statute mile seaward from Barataria Pass to the east side of Grand Terre Island.
Proposed law provides that all other inside waters and passes are permanently closed to
menhaden fishing.
Proposed law sunsets the provisions of proposed law six months after completion of a
menhaden bycatch study conducted by the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries or on April 1,
2024, whichever occurs first.
(Adds R.S. 56:325.5)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.