La. Rev. Stat. § 56:253 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 253
Shipping raw furs, alligators, alligator skins, and alligator parts out of state; tags
Status: in_force

A. No resident or nonresident fur buyer shall ship furs, alligators, or alligator skins out of state.

B. No resident fur dealer, trapper, alligator hunter, alligator parts dealer, alligator farmer, or nonresident fur dealer or nonresident alligator hunter shall ship or take raw furs, alligators, alligator skins, or alligator parts out of state without first complying with the provisions of this Section and rules and regulations of the commission.

C.(1) Every resident fur dealer, trapper, alligator hunter, alligator farmer, nonresident fur dealer, or nonresident alligator hunter before shipping raw furs, alligators, or alligator skins out of the state shall secure from the department, or duly authorized representative thereof, a tag to be attached to the shipment. The tag shall be of a distinctive color, bear a serial number and entry headings for information as to the character of the shipment and the name and address of the specific licensed fur dealer making the shipment, and the specific name and address of the receiver or purchaser of the shipment, including the location to which the skins are actually being shipped. The tag shall be filled out at the time of shipment, and be provided with a detachable stub bearing the same serial number and entry headings as appear on the body of the tag. The stub shall be filled out with duplicate information appearing on the body of the tag and returned to the department at the time of shipment.

(2)(a) Every resident fur dealer, alligator hunter, alligator farmer, taxidermist, nonresident fur dealer, or nonresident alligator hunter, before shipping alligators or raw alligator skins out of state, or before tanning or using for taxidermy of raw alligator skins within the state, shall pay to the department an alligator shipping label fee for each alligator so shipped and shall pay an alligator hide tag fee for each raw alligator skin to be so shipped, used for taxidermy, or tanned. The alligator shipping label fee and the alligator hide tag fee shall be collected by the department from the fur dealer, taxidermist, alligator hunter, alligator farmer, nonresident fur dealer, or nonresident alligator hunter who is shipping alligators or raw alligator skins, or who intends to tan, or use for taxidermy, the raw alligator skins. The department shall collect such fees at the time of shipment, using for taxidermy, or tanning, and no alligator shipping label or out-of-state shipping tag shall be issued by the department for a shipment before payment of the appropriate fee is received by the department. The alligator shipping label fee for each alligator to be shipped and the alligator hide tag fee for each raw alligator skin to be shipped, used for taxidermy, or tanned shall be no more than four dollars per alligator or raw alligator skin; however, the alligator shipping label fee and the alligator hide tag fee shall each be reduced in any fiscal year by rule or regulation of the commission in an equal amount equivalent to any amount of additional revenues received into the Louisiana Alligator Resource Account from the state general fund or sources other than alligator-related fees established pursuant to this Title. Revenues received by the state pursuant to this Paragraph shall be distributed as provided in R.S. 56:266 and 279.

(b) Alligator hide tags shall be issued to licensed alligator hunters and licensed alligator farmers without charge and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission.

D. Every resident alligator hunter, alligator farmer, or alligator parts dealer before shipping alligator parts out of state shall, in addition to satisfying regulations of the U.S. Department of Interior and the Louisiana Department of Health, affix to the shipment a label showing the following: (1) LDWF license number of the alligator parts dealer, alligator hunter or alligator farmer; (2) identify alligator parts as meat, head, feet, teeth or other; (3) provide name and address of shipper.

E. No fur, alligator, alligator skins, alligator eggs, or alligator parts intended for shipment out of state shall be accepted by any post office, express company, agent, or agent of any common carrier nor any agent thereof, unless there is attached to the shipment to each consignee one of the tags specified in Subsection C above or the labels specified in Subsection D above.

F. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class three violation.

Acts 1970, No. 550, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1; Acts 1982, No. 730, §3; Acts 1991, No. 1041, §1, eff. July 26, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 499, §§1, 2, eff. June 22, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 528, §§1, 2, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 294, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 2012, No. 267, §2; Acts 2018, No. 612, §18; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 10
Annual report to governor; estimate of proposed expenditures; particular funds; limitations on purposes for use of monies in particular funds and accounts; warrants; vouchers; surplus funds
Status: in_force

A. On or before the first Monday in April of each year the commission shall prepare and present to the governor a printed annual report showing the operations of the commission since the date of its last annual report, showing the amount of money received by it and from what sources, and showing the amount of money expended by it and for what purposes. In each annual report immediately preceding the regular session of the legislature the commission shall include an estimate of proposed expenditures and the expenses for the ensuing year, its prospective revenues and any recommendations for legislative action. The governor shall lay copies of the report before the succeeding legislature. At each regular session the legislature shall appropriate such funds as it deems wise for the continuation of the work of the commission.

B.(1) Subject to the exception contained in Article VII, Section 9(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, all funds collected by the commission from every source shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. Out of the funds remaining in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable within any fiscal year, the treasurer shall, prior to placing such remaining funds in the state general fund, conform to the following:

(a)(i) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Fund an amount equal to the total of thirty dollars per resident commercial fisherman's license fee.

(ii) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Oyster Development Fund" the additional fee of five cents for each oyster tag sold pursuant to R.S. 56:449 and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana oyster industry.

(b)(i) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund" an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:305(G) and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force to be used for the development of markets for shrimp and creation of marketing strategies for the development and market expansion for shrimp harvested from Louisiana waters. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana shrimp industry.

(ii) Pay annually into a special account created in the Conservation Fund and designated as the "Shrimp Development and Management Account" an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:305(B)(1) and (C)(1) and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the department. The Shrimp Development and Management Account is intended to defray the cost of the shrimp program within the department and support the functions of the Shrimp Task Force, specifically to assist in funding salaries and financial support including associated indirect costs for employees in the shrimp program, the management of the shrimp population, law enforcement activities associated with shrimp industry, research on all aspects involved with the shrimp resource and industry, and authorized activities of the Shrimp Task Force.

(c) Pay into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the Conservation Fund an amount equal to the total amount of funds paid into the treasury by the commission except those funds for which provision is made in Subparagraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this Paragraph.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §6, eff. June 1, 2022.

(e) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Crab Development, Management, and Derelict Crab Trap Removal Account" an amount equal to the fees specified for deposit in R.S. 56:305(B)(2) and (C)(1), 306(B)(6), and 306.1(B)(7). All expenditures and allocations of monies from this account shall be administered by the department in consultation with the Crab Task Force. The Crab Development, Management, and Derelict Crab Trap Removal Account is intended to defray the cost of the crab program within the department and support the functions of the Crab Task Force, specifically to assist in funding salaries and financial support including associated indirect costs for employees in the crab program, the management of the crab population, law enforcement activities associated with crab industry, research on all aspects involved with the crab resource and industry, administration and implementation of the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program, marketing programs recommended by the Crab Task Force, and authorized activities of the Crab Task Force. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana crab industry.

(f) There is hereby created in the Conservation Fund a special escrow account known as the Charter Boat Fishing Escrow Account. The escrow account is created to receive deposits of charter promotion fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:302.9(C)(3)(c) and 3001. Monies deposited into the fund shall be used by the Louisiana Charter Boat Association for the promotion of the charter boat industry, protection of the fishery, and to provide for administrative costs of the fund.

(g) There is hereby created in the Conservation Fund a special account designated as the "Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund".

(2) The monies in the Conservation Fund shall be used solely for the programs and purposes and in the amounts appropriated each year to the commission by the legislature.

(3) The monies in the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Fund shall be used by the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to implement the duties and functions of that board relating to the promotion and marketing of seafood as provided in R.S. 56:578.3 in the amounts appropriated each year to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism by the legislature for the use by the board.

(4)(a) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account designated as the "Oyster Resource Management Account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of commercial oyster gear licenses pursuant to R.S. 56:305(B)(3) and (C)(1), the sale of oyster cargo vessel permits pursuant to R.S. 56:422, all revenues received from the payment of lease rentals pursuant to R.S. 56:428, and the fees collected from the sale of public oyster seed ground vessel permits and associated gear fees pursuant to R.S. 56:433.1.

(b) The secretary is authorized to assess, invoice, demand, accept, and receive funds or materials as compensation for damages or impacts associated with activities occurring on or over the public oyster seed grounds, seed reservations, and tonging areas.

(c) The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(d) All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the department. The Oyster Resource Management Account is intended to defray the cost of the oyster program within the department, specifically to assist in funding salaries and financial support including associated indirect costs for employees in the oyster program, the management of the oyster population, law enforcement activities associated with oyster industry, research on all aspects involved with the oyster resource and industry, enhancement of the state's public oyster seed grounds, research into propagation and habitat, oyster hatchery operations, and the administrative functions of the oyster lease and survey section of the department.

(5)(a) There is hereby created in the Conservation Fund a special account known as the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund. The treasurer shall pay annually into the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund all amounts received pursuant to the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Program provided for in R.S. 56:151 et seq. and such other funds as are specifically appropriated by the legislature.

(b) Half of the monies deposited in the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund shall be used solely for the following in-state waterfowl management programs and purposes:

(i) To acquire lands in Louisiana which have the primary and direct purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing migratory waterfowl habitat.

(ii) To carry out migratory waterfowl habitat restoration and enhancement projects on lands under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(iii) To fulfill the purposes of Items (i) and (ii) of this Subparagraph, when feasible and when in coastal areas, in a manner which will contribute to the protection of the coastal areas of the state from deterioration and which will enhance the productivity of the coastal marshes.

(iv) To acquire lands for wildlife and game management.

(v) To make grants, not to exceed ten percent of the program revenues, to the North American Waterfowl Habitat Conservation Plan for the purpose of acquiring, developing, or maintaining migratory waterfowl areas within Louisiana.

(vi) To cover the administrative costs associated with the implementation of the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Program, not to exceed five percent of the program revenues.

(c) Half of the monies deposited in the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund may be dedicated by the commission to the development and preservation of breeding grounds for migratory waterfowl, the funds to be expended for such purposes through Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or under the direction of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at its discretion.

(6) Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §6, eff. June 1, 2022.

(7)(a) There is hereby created in the Conservation Fund a special fund called the Louisiana Wild Turkey Fund. The monies in the Louisiana Wild Turkey Fund shall be used solely for the programs and purposes associated with the Louisiana Wild Turkey Program in the amounts appropriated each year to the department by the legislature.

(b) The revenues collected from the sale of the Louisiana Wild Turkey Federation license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.54 shall be used solely for turkey restocking and research purposes in the amounts appropriated each year to the commission by the legislature, with the exception of five dollars per plate sold to be used for the purpose of advertising the license plates.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the monies in the Louisiana Wild Turkey Fund shall be used:

(i) To acquire lands in Louisiana which have the primary and direct purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing wild turkey habitat.

(ii) To carry out wild turkey habitat restoration and enhancement projects on lands under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(iii) To acquire lands that are suitable for wild turkeys and wild turkey management.

(8) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "waterfowl account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the Ducks Unlimited license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.53. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing migratory waterfowl habitat in Louisiana. Specific expenditures of the proceeds shall be made in consultation with Louisiana Ducks Unlimited, provided that Louisiana Ducks Unlimited contributes an amount each fiscal year equal to the amount of funds collected from the sale of the license plates placed into the "waterfowl account".

(9) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "black bear account". The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of managing, conserving, restoring, and enhancing black bear in Louisiana.

(10) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "quail account". The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing quail habitat in Louisiana.

(11) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "white tail deer account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the white tail deer license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.86. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for programs pertaining to the white tail deer in Louisiana.

(12) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "enforcement emergency situation response account", which shall consist of funds received from federal grant reimbursements, contracts or cooperative agreements, interagency transfers, other grants or other resources to recoup monies for services which are designated for deposit into this account, and those revenues as provided in R.S. 56:40.9(A). All revenues to this account shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely by the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for emergency situation preparedness, operations in emergency situations, responses to emergency situations, and emergency search and rescue operations, as appropriated annually by the legislature.

(13) Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

(14) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "Rare and Endangered Species Account", which shall consist of revenues collected from the sale of the "Rare and Endangered Species" special prestige license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.150, donations, and any other source which may specify deposit to this account. The revenues in the account shall be subject to the same requirements as other revenues in the Conservation Fund. All expenditures and allocations of funds from this account shall be used solely for purposes of conserving, restoring, and enhancing rare and endangered species habitats in Louisiana.

(15)(a) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "litter abatement account" which shall consist of revenue received by the Conservation Fund from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles as provided in R.S. 32:412; revenue received by the Conservation Fund from fines for violations of the provisions of Part I of Chapter 21 of Subtitle II of Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 as provided in R.S. 30:2531 and 2532; funds from public or private donations and any other source which may specify deposit to this account; and any remaining balance in the litter abatement and education account as of August 1, 2022. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(b) The funds in this account shall be used solely for the following:

(i) To provide for litter abatement grant programs in the state.

(ii) To provide for litter abatement and enforcement.

(iii) To support community-based litter abatement programs.

(16)(a) The monies in the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund shall be used solely for the administration and conducting of the Louisiana Recreational Creel Survey (LACREEL), the Recreational Offshore Landing Permit program (ROLP), and the saltwater fish stock estimate.

(b) The monies allocated to the programs described in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not be used on or for any of the following purposes:

(i) To create any exempted fishing permit program or pilot program as recognized and granted by the United States Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Marine Fisheries Service, that establishes a limited access or entry program for licensed fishermen, either voluntarily or required, fishing in territorial waters, including the boundary from the shoreline to a distance nine miles into the Gulf of Mexico, as established by federal law.

(ii) To create limited entry programs, including but not limited to lotteries, established for any of the following:

(aa) The issuance of fish harvest tags.

(bb) The issuance of fish harvest tags on a "first-come, first-served basis" for more than eighty percent of the total allowable catch of an individual species of fish.

(cc) The limitation of the days at sea that further restrict access to a number of days that differs from seasons established for all licensed fishermen by the department or the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

(dd) The creation of fisheries unit efforts or effort units or any other program that limits access for licensed fishermen to fish other than the beginning and end dates of established seasons as determined by the secretary in consultation with the commission or seasons set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

(ee) The creation or enforcement of any individual fishing quota or individual transferrable quota systems for licensed fishermen, licensed charter boat fishing guides, and federally permitted licensed charter boat operations in which vessels used in that operation are registered in the state.

(ff) The establishment of any mandatory reporting programs by licensed fishermen, including required advanced notification of any department personnel prior to commencement of a fishing trip by licensed fishermen.

(gg) The creation of any mandatory reporting program in which licensed fishermen are required to report their catch immediately upon returning to port after fishing unless during a dockside intercept conducted by department personnel conducting dockside intercept surveys on behalf of LACREEL or ROLP.

(c) If the department violates Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, the treasurer shall not release any more monies credited to the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund to the department, until such time as the department ceases its violation.

(d) The department shall make an annual report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on the progress and effectiveness of LACREEL and the saltwater fish stock estimate.

(17) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund". The funds in this account shall be used solely for and in accordance with the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program, provided for in R.S. 56:1931 et seq. Any appropriations, public or private grants, gifts, or donations received by the state or the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the purposes of this program shall be credited to the fund. The monies in the fund shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The monies in the fund shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as the monies in the state general fund and all interest earned shall be deposited and credited to the fund after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana. All unexpended or unencumbered monies remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain to the credit of the fund.

(18)(a) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "environmental education account" which shall consist of donations collected from the sale of the environmental education license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.43 and funds from public or private donations and any other source which may specify deposit to this account. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(b) The funds in this account shall be used solely for the following:

(i) To develop, review, approve, and implement a plan for statewide environmental education.

(ii) To provide for environmental education grant programs in the state.

(iii) To develop an environmental education curriculum framework.

(iv) To develop guidelines for incorporating environmental education into teacher education requirements.

(v) To develop environmental education teacher professional development.

(vi) To provide for formal environmental education.

(vii) To develop, disseminate, and assess litter education and awareness programs and materials.

(19) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a "Marine Finfish Stock Enhancement Fund". The monies in the fund shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing the red drum population, including but not limited to the purchase, transportation, tagging, release, and monitoring of red drum, genetic testing, hatchery based production and stocking efforts, and academic research. Any appropriations, public or private grants, gifts, or donations received by the state or the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for these purposes shall be credited to the fund. The monies in the fund shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The monies in the fund shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as the monies in the state general fund, and all interest earned shall be deposited and credited to the fund after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana. All unexpended or unencumbered monies remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain to the credit of the fund.

NOTE: Subparagraph (B)(20) eff. when an act of the Louisiana Legislature containing a specific appropriation of monies for the implementation of Act 87 of the 2025 Regular Session becomes effective. See Acts 2025, No. 87.

(20) There is hereby established within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "Conservation Incentive Program Account" for the purpose of assisting private landowners in enhancing wildlife habitat and managing native species on private lands. The funds in this account shall be used solely for and in accordance with the Conservation Incentive Program provided for in R.S. 56:1938.1 et seq. Any transfers or appropriations to the account and any public or private gifts, grants, or donations received by the state or the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the purposes of this program shall be deposited into the account. Monies in the account shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The monies in the account shall be invested in the same manner as the monies in the state general fund and all interests earned shall be deposited and credited to the account after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana. All unexpended or unencumbered monies remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall remain to the credit of the account.

C. The commission shall keep a set of books showing from whom every dollar is received and for what purpose and to whom every dollar is paid and for what purpose. It also shall keep in its file vouchers or receipts for all moneys paid out.

D. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the funds or accounts established in this Section at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the respective funds. The monies in these funds and accounts shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund. All interest earned on monies invested by the treasurer shall be deposited in the respective funds or accounts. The state treasurer shall prepare and submit to the department on a quarterly basis a printed report showing the amount of money contained in the funds and accounts from all sources.

Amended by Acts 1972, No. 494, §1; Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1975, No. 343, §1; Acts 1983, No. 602, §1; Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1984, No. 883, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 904, §§3, 4; Acts 1988, No. 632, §§1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 193, §1; Acts 1992, No. 984, §§17, 18; Acts 1995, No. 225, §1; Acts 1995, No. 448, §1; Acts 1995, No. 535, §2; Acts 1997, No. 70, §2; Acts 1997, No. 660, §2; Acts 1997, No. 962, §2; Acts 1997, No. 1158, §2; Acts 1999, No. 735, §2; Acts 1999, No. 772, §1; Acts 2001, No. 270, §1; Acts 2001, No. 663, §1; Acts 2003, No. 357, §1; Acts 2003, No. 784, §1; Acts 2004, No. 904, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 172, §1; Acts 2008, No. 722, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 100, §1; Acts 2010, No. 606, §2; Acts 2010, No. 991, §2; Acts 2011, No. 265, §5, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 375, §1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2013, No. 40, §1; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 804, §1, eff. June 1, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 81, §2; Acts 2017, No. 404, §1; Acts 2018, No. 41, §1, eff. May 10, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 509, §3; Acts 2018, No. 612, §18, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2019, No. 87, §1, eff. June 3, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 114, §16, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2021, No. 356, §§2, 5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021; Acts 2021, No. 356, §§3, 6, eff. June 1, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 15, §4; Acts 2022, No. 714, §2, eff. June 18, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 153, §1; Acts 2024, No. 443, §2; Acts 2024, No. 735, §1; Acts 2025, No. 87, §1, eff. See Act.

NOTE: See Acts 2019, No. 87, directing the state treasurer to transfer monies remaining in the Shrimp Trade Petition Account to the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 7
Domicile of commission; service of process; suits; parties
Status: in_force

A.(1) The domicile of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is and shall be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. However, the Seafood Division, within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, shall remain located in the city of New Orleans.

(2) Service of citation and other process directed to the commission shall be made by handing the citation or other process to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. All suits in its behalf shall be brought in the name of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

B. Any person in interest who feels aggrieved by any rule, regulation, or other action adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, including an action by one who seeks the closure or modification of any hunting season in any part of the state, may test its legality in a court of competent jurisdiction at the domicile of the commission.

Amended by Acts 1958, No. 132, §1; Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1984, No. 179, §1; Acts 1988, No. 239, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:36 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 36
Class six violation
Status: in_force

The following penalties shall be imposed for a class six violation. For each offense, the fine shall be not less than nine hundred dollars nor more than nine hundred fifty dollars, or imprisonment for not more than one hundred twenty days, or both, and shall include the forfeiture to the commission of anything seized in connection with the violation.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1; Acts 1991, No. 525, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1034, §1; Acts 1999, No. 184, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:18 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 18
Trespass on or injury to structures or areas used for scientific experiments
Status: in_force

A. No person shall willfully enter in or upon any building or other structure or any area of land or water set apart and used by or under the authority of the director for conducting scientific experiments and distribution of fish, birds, or game after the director has printed notices of such occupation and use and the purposes thereof, and has placed them in a conspicuous position adjacent to any such areas or upon any such structure.

B. No person shall willfully and maliciously injure or deface any such structure or any notice posted by the director, or injure or destroy any property used in such experiments or investigation or otherwise interfere therewith.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:578.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 578.1
Purposes
Status: in_force

A. Recognizing that the commercial fishing industry in Louisiana has reached an ebb economically, creating an environment which has or could place, not only commercial fishermen, but also wholesale and retail dealers in dire economic straits, which situation could have an extreme economic impact on the state economy as a whole if nothing is done to alleviate the situation, and recognizing that there exist barriers and impediments to the economic well-being of the commercial fishery industry in Louisiana and recognizing that among these barriers and impediments, the virtual void in this state of any cohesive, coordinated and comprehensive seafood promotion and marketing effort and stratagem has a significant negative impact on the seafood industry, the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby establish the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board in an effort to aid the industry in two vital aspects--product promotion and marketing development.

B. The purpose of this Subpart, then, is to enhance the public image of commercial fishery products, thereby promoting the consumption of these products and, further, to assist the seafood industry, including commercial fishermen and wholesale and retail dealers, in market development so as to better utilize existing markets and to aid in the establishment of new marketing channels. Attention to the promotion and marketing of non-traditional and underutilized species of seafood would be inherent in the purpose of the council established herein.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 890, §1; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1950.23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1950.23
Louisiana Music Trail Commission; creation; membership
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created the Louisiana Music Trail Commission within the office of cultural development.

B. The commission shall be composed of seven members as follows:

(1) The assistant secretary of the office of cultural development or his designee.

(2) The assistant secretary of the office of tourism or his designee.

(3) The lieutenant governor shall appoint five members who shall serve at the pleasure of the lieutenant governor. The members shall be residents of five different parishes through which the Louisiana Music Trail passes. Two shall have a bachelor's degree or professional experience in the field of music, and three shall have a bachelor's degree or professional experience in art, history, or tourism.

(4) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation for their service but may receive expense reimbursement.

C.(1) The office of cultural development and the office of tourism shall provide a meeting space and staffing for the commission.

(2) The Louisiana Music Trail Commission shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties under this Part but not less than quarterly.

(3) The assistant secretary of the office of cultural development or his designee shall call the first meeting of the commission, and the commission shall elect a chairman at its first meeting.

(4) The commission shall adopt bylaws for the governance of its affairs.

(5) Four members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Acts 2023, No. 283, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:326.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 326.3
Possession limits; size limits, seasons, quotas, times, and daily take limits, set by commission; penalties
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and specifically R.S. 49:966 and R.S. 56:325.3, the commission may set possession limits, quotas, places, seasons, times, size limits, and daily take limits based upon biological and technical data, for all freshwater and saltwater finfish taken or possessed in Louisiana waters. Penalties for violation of any rule or regulations adopted and promulgated by the commission under this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1988, No. 954, §1, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 1989, No. 486, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 376, §1; Acts 1991, No. 157, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:37 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 37
Class seven violation
Status: in_force

A. Class seven shall be divided into 7-A and 7-B violations.

(1) The following penalties shall be imposed for a class 7-A violation: For each offense, the fine shall be not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year, or both.

(2) The following penalties shall be imposed for a class 7-B violation: For each offense, the fine shall be not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for one year.

B. The penalties provided for in this Section shall include the forfeiture to the commission of anything seized in connection with the violation.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1; Acts 1991, No. 525, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:424 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 424
Taking of oysters
Status: in_force

A.(1) No person shall take oysters from any of the waters of the state or have such oysters in possession except in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commission. For the purpose of this Subpart, all oysters in possession of any person in the state shall be deemed to be oysters taken from the waters of the state. Except as otherwise provided herein, the taking of oysters is prohibited in the water bottoms of the state of Louisiana.

(2) No person, except a Louisiana resident sixteen years of age or under, and except the spouse of a vessel's owner while on that vessel, shall harvest oysters unless he possesses a valid oyster harvesting license.

B. An oyster lessee may work on his private oyster lease, or he may designate an agent to harvest oysters on his lease with written permission, which shall be carried on the boat and subject to inspection. Such written permission shall specify a starting date and a termination date during which period the written permission will be valid.

C. Recreational oyster fishermen may harvest oysters in leased areas with the written permission from the lease holder, in personal leased areas, and in areas open to the public for the harvesting of oysters, but shall be limited to two sacks per person per day.

D. Except as otherwise provided herein, violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class four violation. Any person, common carrier, or any agent or officer thereof, who violates any of the provisions of this Section shall at the time of arrest surrender all permits or licenses held by the vessel. The captain, person, agent, officer, crew, or members thereof by whom or under whose direction the vessel was used in the illegal taking of oysters may be charged with a violation and may be ordered to pay all costs of prosecution.

E.(1) No person shall harvest, possess, sell, barter, trade, purchase, or exchange or attempt to sell, barter, trade, or exchange oysters in the state of Louisiana or in interstate commerce unless such oysters are taken from areas approved by the state health officer in accordance with R.S. 40:5.3. Unless otherwise permitted by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, when any vessel is found to be harvesting within an unapproved or closed area, all oysters on board the vessel shall be deemed to have been taken from unapproved or closed waters and shall be deemed to constitute a hazard to the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the state. In addition, no oysters taken from sources outside of Louisiana shall be sold in Louisiana, unless taken from areas approved by the state authorities having jurisdiction, and unless secured from oyster dealers whose state certifications have been endorsed by the United States Food and Drug Administration Public Health Services for interstate shipment. All oysters found in violation of this Paragraph shall be seized and ordered returned to the water. Any violation of this Paragraph shall constitute a class six violation under the provisions of R.S. 56:36.

(2)(a) In addition to all other penalties provided in this Section, for the first violation of this Subsection the oyster harvester's license under which the violation occurred shall be revoked by the department and no new such license shall be issued for one year from the date of the conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than forty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a first offense, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters only if that vessel is equipped with and is actively using a vessel monitoring system as prescribed in R.S. 56:424.1.

(b) For a second violation of this Subsection, the violator's oyster harvester license shall be revoked, and no new such license shall be issued for three years from the date of conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than ninety hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a second violation, the violator shall not be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters.

(c) For a third or subsequent violation of this Subsection, the violator's oyster harvester license shall be revoked, and no new such license shall be issued for ten years from the date of the third or subsequent conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than one hundred twenty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a third or subsequent violation, the violator shall not be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters.

F.(1) The act of culling oysters, which is the act of discarding undersized oysters or dead shell, shall be performed only on the open state designated public grounds or leases on which the fisherman is authorized to take oysters. At no time will the act of culling oysters be permitted in areas closed to harvesting oysters.

(2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection notwithstanding, the secretary may grant permits for culling and oyster harvesting to those individuals involved in molluscan depuration operations and container relaying operations on a case-by-case basis, provided that the individuals conducting such operations have fully complied with the rules and regulations of the office of public health and have been issued a permit by that office to conduct such operations.

(3) Violation of any of the provisions of this Subsection constitutes a class three violation.

G.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subpart, all oysters taken from the reefs of this state either for sale or consumption shall be landed in Louisiana, properly sacked or containerized and tagged in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 56:449, and the severance tax levied in R.S. 56:446 paid thereon; however, a lessee legally harvesting oysters which have been properly tagged from his own lease may land those oysters outside the state under a permit issued pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the department. Any fees proposed in said rules shall not exceed one hundred dollars.

(2) Any person who obtains a permit to land oysters outside the state under the provisions of this Subsection shall be required to install and use a vessel monitoring system on each vessel that will be used to transport oysters taken in Louisiana waters to another state for landing. Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Paragraph.

H. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, employees or assigns of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority may survey or remove, as a sample, oysters from an oyster lease on state water bottoms in order to make determinations in matters of integrated coastal protection. In order to make such surveys or take such samples, the employees or assigns of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority shall first notify the leaseholder in writing of the date and time of the survey or sample at least fifteen days prior to the survey or sampling date. This notification shall be sent by certified mail to the leaseholder at the address on file with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The leaseholder may accompany the person conducting the survey or taking the sample during the survey or sampling or may authorize another person to accompany the person conducting the survey or taking the sample. Such surveys shall be conducted in the manner provided in procedures promulgated by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority after consideration of recommendations by the Louisiana Oyster Task Force.

I. The state of Louisiana, political subdivisions of the state, the United States, and any agency, agent, contractor, or employee of any of these entities, shall not be subject to any obligation, responsibility, or liability in relation to or resulting from any surveying or sampling of any oyster lease, information provided to any lessee in relation to any surveying or sampling of any oyster lease, the timing of any acquisition of any part of any lease by the state pursuant to R.S. 56:432.1, the lack of acquisition of any part of any lease except as provided in R.S. 56:432.1, or any report pursuant to R.S. 56:432.2 or otherwise.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1985, No. 656, §1; Acts 1985, No. 875, §1, eff. July 23, 1985; Acts 1987, No. 924, §1; Acts 1988, No. 1, §3, eff. May 12, 1988; Acts 1989, No. 84, §1, eff. June 16, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 238, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 516, §1; Acts 1990, No. 874, §1; Acts 1991, No. 484, §1; Acts 1991, No. 564, §1; Acts 1992, No. 51, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 68, §1; Acts 1995, No. 189, §1; Acts 1995, No. 234, §1; Acts 2001, No. 152, §1; Acts 2003, No. 451, §1; Acts 2004, No. 211, §1; Acts 2004, No. 221, §1; Acts 2006, No. 425, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 310, §1; Acts 2009, No. 523, §4, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 604, §4, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 35, §2; Acts 2014, No. 791, §19.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:805 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 805
Establishment of recreational reef sites; designation and regulation
Status: in_force

A. In an effort to enhance inshore fisheries habitat, the commission may designate and set aside areas of the state's water bottoms as recreational reef. The commission shall consider the recommendations of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force when designating such areas. The commission shall promulgate through the Administration Procedure Act the location of a reef, the types of materials to be used to construct and replenish the reef, and regulations governing fishing on and above the site, including but not limited to harvest seasons, times, and creel limits. There shall be no harvest of oysters from the sites so set aside.

B. A violation of the provisions of this Section shall be a class four violation punishable under the provisions of R.S. 56:34.

Acts 2012, No. 84, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:639.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 639.5
Artificial Reef Development Program; authorities and responsibilities of cooperating agencies
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created the Louisiana Artificial Reef Development Program, hereinafter called the "program", to promote, develop, maintain, monitor, and enhance the artificial reef potential in the waters covered under this Subpart. The department, CCEER, and Sea Grant shall be primary participants in this program and shall operate out of the Artificial Reef Development Fund under the direction of the department.

B.(1) The department shall administer and enforce the program as provided in this Subpart and in accordance with the National Fishing Enhancement Act. The department shall:

(a) Plan and review permit applications with advice from CCEER.

(b) Coordinate with relevant state and federal agencies.

(c) Hold joint public hearings on proposed reefs.

(d) Oversee maintenance and placement requirements of the reefs.

(e) Develop additional technical information needed to carry out the program.

(2) The department shall also serve as liaison with the United States Department of the Interior regarding interaction of the program with federal outercontinental shelf leasing and production activities.

C. CCEER shall provide technical support to the department for program development. CCEER shall additionally:

(1) Prepare, update, and provide the department with technical, biological, and operational criteria for site selection and development.

(2) Assist the department in preparing permit applications for artificial reefs.

(3) Assist in biological monitoring.

(4) Evaluate and recommend reef sites.

(5) Evaluate reef potential and design.

(6) Update exclusion mapping.

(7) Promote public awareness of the program.

(8) Provide geotechnical support for reef siting by determining bottom suitability and identifying geologic hazards, evaluating the potential for future oil, gas, and other mineral production in reef sites, and by analyzing the potential for using artificial reefs to supplement the state's coastal protection efforts.

D. REPEALED BY ACTS 1993, NO. 271, §2.

E. The Louisiana Sea Grant College Program shall coordinate fisheries research projects that might be proposed by Louisiana universities to support the program.

Acts 1986, No. 100, §1, eff. June 23, 1986; Acts 1993, No. 271, §§1, 2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:328 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 328
Conducting fishing operations so as not to destroy nests or natural hiding places of young fish; prohibited importation; control and regulation of noxious aquatic plants; permit; penalty
Status: in_force

A. All fishing operations shall be conducted in such a way that nests of fish or the natural hiding places of young fish or shrimp are not destroyed. Nets shall not be hauled out upon the shore in such a way that any illegal fish which may happen to be taken therein cannot be returned to the waters without injury. All vegetation hauled up in fishing operations, except such as may be condemned as detrimental by the commission, shall be carefully removed and immediately put back into the waters in such a manner as not to injure any fish eggs, small fish, or fish foods contained therein.

B. No person shall at any time import or cause to be transported into the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana, from any other state or country, without first obtaining a written permit from the department, noxious aquatic plants which are or can be grown submerged, immersed, floating in water, or in wetland conditions. The department shall maintain and promulgate under the Administrative Procedure Act a list of prohibited invasive, noxious aquatic plants.

C. The department shall have the authority to promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to prevent the introduction of invasive, noxious aquatic plants and to control, eradicate, and prevent the spread or dissemination within the state of all invasive, noxious aquatic plants that pose a threat to the wildlife or fisheries resources of the state. The department may issue permits for the importation of any of the invasive, noxious aquatic plants for the purpose of conducting scientific investigations of such species of aquatic plants. Terms and conditions of all permits issued shall be prescribed by the department.

D. The department shall confer and cooperate with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to determine if any potentially regulated plants are of agricultural importance.

E. Violation of the provisions of Subsection B or C of this Section and violation of any rule adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Section constitutes a class four violation.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 248, §1; Acts 1980, No. 593, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1992, No. 45, §1; Acts 2006, No. 400, §1, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 400, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1950.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1950.13
Signage
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Transportation and Development shall provide and erect appropriate signs identifying the district, including signs at the east and west boundaries of the district and at locations along Metairie Road within the district.

B. The Department of Transportation and Development and the governing authority of Jefferson Parish shall provide and erect appropriate signs providing directions to the district at appropriate locations on the respective local and state highways including but not limited to the following:

(1) Airline Drive at Severn Avenue and Shrewsbury Road.

(2) Airline Drive at Labarre Road.

(3) Airline Drive at Ridgewood Drive.

(4) Airline Drive at Cecil Street (Louisiana Highway 6118).

(5) Bonnabel Boulevard at Metairie Road.

(6) I-10 at all Bonnabel Boulevard exits.

Acts 2006, No. 245, §1, eff. July 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:27 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 27
Management and harvesting of fish in private ponds exempt from statutory limitations; permits; exceptions
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in Sub-sections B and C of this Section, the management and harvest or taking of fish in privately owned man made ponds or impoundments shall not be subject to statutory limitations as to the kind, number or size of fish which may be harvested or taken, or as to the method of harvesting or taking fish, or seasons or other limitations, restrictions, prohibitions or regulations governing the management and harvest or taking of fish, but shall be governed by administrative rules and regulations of the commission, and the commission may issue permits to each private owner therefor.

B. Statutory and administrative regulations governing or prohibiting the sale or exchange of game fish shall apply to game fish harvested or taken from privately owned man made ponds or impoundments.

C. Sub-section A of this Section does not apply to ponds or impoundments built within the basin of a continuously flowing river, bayou or other stream of water.

Added by Acts 1960, No. 127, §§1 to 3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:423 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 423
Property rights; larceny or other public offense concerning; leases heritable and transferable; adjudication of claims
Status: in_force

A. A lessee shall enjoy the exclusive use of the water bottoms leased and of all oysters and cultch grown or placed thereon, subject to the restrictions and regulations of this Subpart and Part II of Chapter 2 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

(1) This exclusive use of water bottoms is subordinate to the rights or responsibilities of the state, any political subdivision of the state, the United States, or any agency or agent thereof, to take any action in furtherance of integrated coastal protection as defined in R.S. 49:214.2.

(2) This exclusive use of water bottoms for any oyster lease initially applied for after July 1, 2016, or any renewal or judicial partition of such lease is also subordinate to the rights of any person:

(a) To engage in any activity authorized by a coastal use permit, determination, or coastal use authorization pursuant to R.S. 49:214.30 or a drilling permit, for which the coastal use authorization or drilling permit application was issued prior to the date the application for the oyster lease was issued. This Subparagraph applies only in the following areas:

(i) The area from the centerline of the pipeline or area from the outside of the well, platform, shell pad, or facility as designated by the coastal use permit, determination, or other coastal use authorization pursuant to R.S. 49:214.30 or drilling permit, or

(ii) If no such area delineated in Item (i) of this Subparagraph is designated, then this Item applies in the following areas:

(aa) For a pipeline, within seventy-five feet from the centerline of the pipe.

(bb) For a well, platform, shell pad, or facility, within two hundred fifty feet from the outside of the well, platform, shell pad, or facility.

(b) To operate, maintain, repair, replace, rehabilitate, or remove any pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility on or impacting an oyster lease in which the pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility was placed or constructed before September 20, 1980, or was placed or constructed prior to the date the oyster lease was issued. This Subparagraph applies only in the following areas:

(i) For a pipeline, within seventy-five feet from the centerline of the pipe.

(ii) For a well, platform, shell pad, or facility, within two hundred fifty feet from the outside of the well, platform, shell pad, or facility.

(c) To cross an oyster lease to access any activity, pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility to which Subparagraph (2)(a) or (2)(b) of this Subsection applies. This Subparagraph applies only to a single access channel across each oyster lease per activity, pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility, determined as follows:

(i) For any activity, pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility, including the removal of any pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility, to which Subparagraph (2)(a) of this Subsection applies, if an access channel across each oyster lease is identified in the coastal use authorization or permit, it shall be the sole access channel for purposes of this Subparagraph. If more than one access channel across each oyster lease is identified, the holder of the authorization or permit shall designate a single access channel to the department in writing identifying the centerline of the access channel using the North American Datum 1983 state plane coordinates; and when the holder does so and the department consents to the designated access channel in writing, it shall be the sole access channel for purposes of this Item.

(ii) For any activity, pipeline, well, platform, shell pad, or facility to which Subparagraph (2)(b) of this Subsection applies, the holder of the authorization or permit shall designate a single access channel across each oyster lease to the department in writing identifying its centerline using the North American Datum 1983 state plane coordinates; and when the holder does so and the department consents to the designated access channel in writing, it shall be the sole access channel for purposes of this Item.

(iii) This Subparagraph applies only within fifty feet from the centerline of the access channel across each oyster lease. In addition, if a spoil area was previously identified in an authorization or permit for an access channel designated pursuant to this Item, this Item shall also apply to the same spoil area; however, such spoil area shall be limited to eighty feet in width adjacent to one side of the access channel.

(iv) The department shall be immune from any action or liability arising out of or related to its consent or agreement to any access channel or spoil area designated pursuant to this Subparagraph.

(v) The department shall consult with the lessee under any oyster lease located within a proposed access channel, before consenting or agreeing to any access channel pursuant to this Subparagraph.

(3) The provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall not apply to any oyster lease initially applied for before July 1, 2016, or any renewal or judicial partition of such lease, or to any oyster lease issued pursuant to Section 2(B)(1) of Acts 2008, No. 808, as amended by Acts 2016, No. 595 of the 2016 Regular Session or any renewal of such lease.

B.(1) A lessee of oyster beds or grounds who has obtained, recorded, and marked his lease in compliance with the law shall have the right to maintain an action for damages against any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity causing wrongful or negligent injury or damage to the beds or grounds under lease to such lessee.

(a) No lessee shall have any right to maintain any action against the state, any political subdivision of the state, the United States, or any agency, agent, contractor, or employee thereof for any claim arising from any project, plan, act, or activity in relation to integrated coastal protection, except as provided in R.S. 56:427.1.

(b) No lessee shall have any right to maintain any action against any person arising from any activity to which R.S. 56:423(A)(2) applies provided that the person has not violated any coastal use permit, determination, or other coastal use authorization pursuant to R.S. 49:214.30, or drilling permit, or any Louisiana or federal law or regulation applicable to the activity.

(2) No person shall trawl or seine or use skimmer nets over any area of privately leased bedding grounds or oyster propagating place in the year immediately following the seeding of such area which is staked off, marked, or posted as required by law or regulation. Any person who knowingly trawls or uses skimmer nets upon such marked areas shall be liable for damages caused to the lessee. A violation of this Paragraph shall be a class 2-B violation.

(3) Any action for damages under this Section shall be brought within one year of the occurrence of the wrongful or negligent act, or within one year of the date of discovery of such act, whichever last occurs.

C. In case of infringement of the interest in the taker or possessor, the taker or possessor may, in his own name, maintain his proper action against the wrongdoer. In case of larceny or other public offense concerning such oysters while in the hands of a lawful taker or possessor, or upon bedding grounds held by a lawful lessee, the ownership thereof shall be averred in the lessee, taker, possessor, when by law it is necessary to aver ownership.

D. No claim to any water bottoms suitable for oyster culture by any person shall be valid until adjudicated upon by a court of competent jurisdiction in a suit between the state and the claimant. The claimant by virtue hereof may institute suit against the state in any court of competent jurisdiction for the legal determination of the validity of his claims, without the necessity of a special legislative act authorizing suit. The effect of the judgment is limited to an adjudication of the question of title.

E. All leases, all applications of deceased persons for leases, and all property rights or interests acquired pursuant to such leases, made in conformity with the provisions of this Subpart are heritable and transferable. They are subject to mortgage, pledge or hypothecation, and to seizure and sale for debt, as any other property rights and credits in this state. This provision also applies to all buildings, betterments, and improvements thereon. No such inheritance or transfer is valid or of any force or effect whatsoever unless evidenced by an authentic act, judgment, or proper judicial deed registered in the office of the department in a book provided for that purpose. The department shall keep proper indexes, so that all original leases and all subsequent changes and transfers can be easily and accurately ascertained.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1990, No. 858, §1; Acts 1990, No. 889, §1, eff. July 25, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 788, §1; Acts 1992, No. 845, §1; Acts 1995, No. 234, §1; Acts 2006, No. 425, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2016, No. 595, §1, eff. July 1, 2016; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1992, NO. 845, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:260 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 260
Setting a trap, snare, net, or other device
Status: in_force

A. No person shall set any trap, capable of taking any nongame quadruped more than one day before the open trapping or alligator season, or permit such device to remain set after the closing day of the open season. All traps shall be run daily and all traps must be removed from the trapping grounds and alligator hunting areas the last day of open season.

B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class four violation.

Acts 1970, No. 550, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 183, §2; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1982, No. 730, §2; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 6
Special powers and duties; statistics; rules and regulations; reports
Status: in_force

The commission, through its secretary:

(1) Shall have supervision and control over all employees in every branch of the service, and shall give his entire time to the service and shall employ the unskilled labor and skilled assistance necessary for the efficient operation of the department. He shall also employ scientists certified by the American Fisheries Society or the Wildlife Society to study the life, habits, and productivity of the wildlife of the state, both land and aquatic, however, he may employ special scientists with the relevant master's degrees. These scientists shall make studies, compile the results, and promptly report them to the chief of the division to which the subject matter pertains, so that the recommendations predicated upon them may be made by the chief of the division to the secretary.

(2) Shall receive all necessary expenses when engaged in the discharge of his official duties.

(3) May fix the compensation and pay the expenses of commission employees; however, such expenditures and his salary shall never exceed the revenues available for the use of the commission.

(4) May employ an attorney to represent the commission.

(5) Shall fully represent the commission and discharge all the obligations and duties heretofore devolving upon the three members of the conservation commission, upon the department of conservation, upon the commissioner of conservation and upon the department of wildlife and fisheries with respect to those resources now under the jurisdiction of the director of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, which replaces these prior offices.

(6) Shall collect, classify, and preserve such data and information as will tend to promote the objects of this Part.

(7) Shall take charge and keep all records, books, papers, and documents which shall, in the discharge of his duties, come into his possession or under his control.

(8) Shall make and execute all contracts and generally do all things necessary to carry out the objects of this Part.

(9) Shall adopt bylaws for the government of the commission and the government of its employees.

(10) Shall for the comprehensive control of birds, shellfish, finfish, and wild quadrupeds, adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Part and in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

(11) Shall examine all accounts and operations of the commission and determine the work to be undertaken.

(12) Shall improve, enlarge, and protect the natural oyster reefs of this state as conditions may warrant, subject to the provisions stipulated in this Part and any other law.

(13) Shall protect and propagate, when possible, all species of birds and game of whatever description, and shall establish preserves and hatcheries to be maintained and operated by the commission.

(14) Shall rigidly enforce all law relative to the bedding, fishing, selling, shipping, and canning of oysters; all law relative to the protection, propagation, and selling of birds and game; all law relative to the protection, propagation, and sale of all species of fish in the state, whether salt water or fresh water fish, shell fish, or fish of any description; and all law relative to diamond-back terrapin and shrimp.

(15) In general, has full power and control over birds and animals, whether they be game or fur-bearing or not; over all fish, whether salt or fresh water fish; over diamond-back terrapin, shrimp, and oysters of this state, found or being within its borders or within any of its waters, whether rivers, lakes, bayous, lagoons, bays, or gulfs.

(16) Shall assist in protecting all lessees of private oyster bedding grounds in the enjoyment of their rights.

(17) Shall assist in the protection of private fish ponds used by individuals to propagate fish.

(18) Shall protect game preserves placed under the control of the state, provided they are used for the propagation of birds and game, or as resting places for birds or game, and shall see that such preserves are properly posted according to law.

(19) Shall, in every possible way, assist in developing the natural resources of the state under his jurisdiction to their fullest proportions.

(20) Shall prepare by the thirty-first day of December, 1954 and shall maintain on a current basis a complete map showing all leases of water bottoms and natural reefs in the waters of this state, as provided for in R.S. 56:421 through 56:460, and shall include a complete list of all leases theretofore made. This map shall be made in large enough scale and with addenda showing the persons in whose name the leases were granted, the exact locations of said leases, and the exact amount of acreage of said leases.

(21) Shall, in order to facilitate the distribution of recreational fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and permits, as provided for in this Chapter, and the distribution of certificates of number and other registration certificates as provided in R.S. 34:851.1 et seq., be hereby authorized to designate and consign to special licensing or certificate agents, the issuance of such licenses, permits, certificates, and the collection of fees therefor. Such special licensing or certificate agents may include individuals, associations, corporations, and partnerships. The secretary is hereby specifically authorized to enter into agreements with special licensing or certificate agents which agreements would permit the retention by a licensing agent of a portion of the license fee proceeds collected either on a percentage basis or a per transaction basis, and by certificate agents on a per transaction basis only. All special licensing or certificate agents, so designated, shall make returns of fees collected in accordance with conditions and terms determined and fixed by the commission.

(22) The commission shall prohibit the discharge of brine from salt domes which are located on the coastline of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico and other petroleum wastes into any waters off said coastline and extending therefrom three miles or more into the Gulf of Mexico when it becomes evident that said discharge is damaging or threatens to damage the aquatic life in the waters of the state. The commission may require that any brine disposal be monitored in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commission.

(23) Is authorized, on behalf of the department and the state of Louisiana, to acquire land in any wilderness area in the state of Louisiana from a willing seller at a price agreed upon by the secretary and the landowner. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, on behalf of the department and the state of Louisiana, is authorized to execute such documents as are necessary to properly effectuate the acquisition of property described herein.

(24) Shall promulgate rules and regulations for the regulation of the dredging of fill sand and fill material, to effectuate the provisions of Chapter 12 of this Title.

(25)(a) Shall promulgate rules and regulations, subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to set seasons, times, places, size limits, quotas, daily take, and possession limits, based upon biological and technical data, for all wildlife and fish. Any such rule or regulation shall have as its objective the sound conservation, preservation, replenishment, and management of that species for maximum continuing social and economic benefit to the state without overfishing that causes short-term or long-term biological damage to any species, and regarding all species of fish, without overfishing that leads to such damage. Any season, time, place, size, quota, daily take or possession limit currently set by law shall be superseded upon promulgation by the commission of new rules and regulations concerning a particular species. Aquaculturally raised fish, as defined by R.S. 56:356, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section. Penalties for violation of rules and regulations set by the commission pursuant to this Section shall be established by law. The authority to determine game fish or commercial status of a particular species shall be retained by the legislature.

(b) The provisions of this Section shall not amend, supercede, or repeal any other provision of the law pertaining to "Fish" (noun) as defined in R.S. 56:8.

(26)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the secretary shall, after notification by the department to the applicant that the application is complete, grant or deny all applications for permits, licenses, registrations, or compliance schedules relating to oil and gas wells and pipelines within sixty days. The notification of completeness shall be issued within fourteen days, exclusive of holidays, by the department. If the application is not complete the department shall notify the applicant in writing of the deficiencies which cause the application not to be complete. If the secretary does not grant the application, the secretary shall provide written reasons for his decision to deny, and copies of the decision shall be provided to all parties. The secretary may delegate the power to grant permits, licenses, registrations, variances, or compliance schedules to an assistant.

(b) If the secretary does not grant or deny the application within the time period provided for in this Paragraph, the applicant may file a rule as provided for in R.S. 49:978.

(27) Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 1316, §3.

(28) May in accordance with law impose, by rule promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, a fee for nonresident recreational hunting licenses and nonresident recreational fishing licenses. The nonresident recreational hunting licenses shall be those nonresident licenses and the nonresident stamps authorized by Subpart A and Subpart A-1 of Part IV of this Chapter. The nonresident recreational fishing licenses shall be those nonresident licenses authorized by Subpart B of Part VI of this Chapter.

(29) May provide for a program of dissemination of wildlife and fisheries information and education in the state of Louisiana.

(30) Shall promulgate rules and regulations to control the importation and private possession of nonindigenous constrictors in excess of twelve feet in length, venomous snakes, and nonhuman primates. The rules shall provide exceptions for animal sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums, wildlife research centers, scientific organizations, and medical research facilities, including but not limited to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Primate Center and the Tulane National Primate Research Center. Such rules shall address internet purchase of such animals. Such rules shall also provide for permits for certain institutions and for owners who can prove ownership prior to July 1, 2003.

(31) Shall promulgate rules and regulations to control the importation and private possession of big exotic cats including but not limited to tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and hybrids resulting from cross-breeding of such cats. The rules shall provide exceptions for big cats traditionally kept by colleges and universities as school mascots, animal sanctuaries, zoos, wildlife research centers, and scientific organizations. Such rules shall address Internet purchase of such animals. Such rules shall also provide for permits for certain institutions and for owners who can prove previous ownership. Previous ownership shall include persons who obtained their animal by lawful means and continuously possessed their animal since August 15, 2006. Violation of rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph constitutes a class two violation punishable as provided in R.S. 56:32.

(32) Upon request of a lake commission, a fish and game commission, or a watershed district, may adopt regulations applicable to the use of yo-yo or trigger device fishing gear in a specific waterbody. When adopted by the commission, the regulations shall be uniform in their application to waterbodies subject to the regulations and shall provide that:

(a) The use of yo-yos or trigger devices shall be governed by the following terms:

(i) No more than fifty yo-yos or trigger devices shall be allowed per person.

(ii) Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be clearly tagged with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or user.

(iii) When in use, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be checked at least once every twenty-four hours, and all fish, and any other animal caught or hooked, shall be immediately removed from the device.

(iv) Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, each yo-yo or trigger device must be rebaited at least once every twenty-four hours.

(v) Except for those metal objects located above the water that are affixed to a private pier, dock, houseboat, or other manmade structure which is designed for fishing, no yo-yo or trigger device shall be attached to any metal object.

(vi) Except for a metal object used strictly in the construction of a pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, no metal object which is driven into the lake bottom, a stump, tree, or the shoreline shall be used to anchor a yo-yo or trigger device.

(vii) Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, when not being used in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be removed from the waterbody immediately.

(b) The use of trotlines shall be governed by the following terms:

(i) All trotlines shall be clearly tagged with the name, address, and phone number of the owner or user and the date of placement. The trotline shall be marked on each end with a floating object that is readily visible.

(ii) At any given time, no person shall set more than three trotlines with a maximum of fifty hooks each.

(iii) All trotlines shall have an eight-foot cotton leader on each end of the trotline.

(iv) Except for those metal objects located above the water that are affixed to a private pier, dock, houseboat, or other manmade structure which is designed for fishing, no trotline shall be attached to any metallic object.

(v) Each trotline shall be attended daily when in service.

(vi) When not in use, each trotline shall be removed from the waterbody by the owner or user.

(c) A violation of any of the provisions of this Paragraph shall be a class one violation, except there shall be no imprisonment. In addition, any device found in violation of this Paragraph shall be immediately seized by and forfeited to the department.

(33)(a) Upon request of a water conservation district, may adopt regulations applicable to the use of jugs or float fishing gear in a specific water body. If adopted by the commission, the regulations shall be uniform in their application to water bodies subject to the regulations and shall provide for the opening and closing dates for the use of such gear.

(b) A violation of any regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this Paragraph shall be a class one violation, except there shall be no imprisonment. In addition, any device found in violation of this Paragraph shall be immediately seized by and forfeited to the department.

(34) May promulgate rules and regulations, subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to manage and collect harvest information for recreational landings of state and federal cooperatively managed species in coordination with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and to set seasons, times, places, quotas, daily take, possession limits, permitting, reporting procedures, landing requirements, tagging requirements, and other rules and regulations pursuant thereto necessary to manage and collect harvest information on recreational landings.

Added by Acts 1954, No. 581, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1975, No. 244, §1; Acts 1979, No. 527, §1; Acts 1981, No. 787, §1; eff. until June 30, 1982; Acts 1982, No. 418, §1; Acts 1982, No. 621, §1; Acts 1986, No. 845, §1; Acts 1989, No. 240, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 830, §1; Acts 1990, No. 376, §1; Acts 1990, No. 996, §4; Acts 1991, No. 157, §1, eff. July 2, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 708, §1; Acts 1991, No. 828, §3; Acts 1993, No. 754, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1316, §3; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 31, §2, eff. April 24, 1998; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 164, §2, eff. Sept. 21, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 1221, §1; Acts 2005, No. 133, §3, eff. June 22, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 715, §1; Acts 2010, No. 631, §1; Acts 2010, No. 777, §2; Acts 2011, No. 266, §2; Acts 2014, No. 697, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 2014, No. 697, §2, regarding retroactive application.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:700.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 700.13
Establishment of the board
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established within the office of the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board, hereinafter known as the board.

B. The board shall include five members consisting of one member nominated by the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association, one member nominated by the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, two members nominated jointly by the Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association and the Louisiana Landowners Association, and one member, selected by the other four members of the board, who is a practicing administrative law judge. A quorum of the board shall consist of at least three members. To maintain concordance with the purposes of this Part as articulated in R.S. 56:700.10, at least one member nominated by each of the two industries referenced therein shall be necessary for a quorum.

C. The board shall develop a list of qualified biologists to provide biological test data in determining the quality, condition, and value of oyster beds and grounds. The secretary, in conjunction with the board, shall develop a list of qualifications for these biologists. When an owner of an oil and gas activity is required under the provisions of R.S. 56:700.12(4) to perform a biological survey, he shall choose a biologist to conduct the survey from the list of qualified biologists supplied by the board. The secretary, in conjunction with the board, shall adopt rules providing for selection of a qualified biologist. Unless a written objection is filed with the board by either party, if a qualified biologist was previously engaged to conduct a biological survey for the mineral activity subject to the requested arbitration, that same biologist may be used for the biological surveys.

D. The board members shall evaluate the information regarding damage to the beds and make the final determination in awarding damages to claimants. The secretary, upon receiving this determination of damages, may reject the damage award and send the matter back to the board. The board may then either revise the damage award or, by a two-thirds vote, affirm the original damage determination. If the board fails to either revise the damage award or affirm the original damage determination, the arbitration process provided in this Part shall conclude without a final determination of damages.

E. The determinations of damages by the board shall be based on the values shown in the biological survey and shall reflect true and actual damages.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 56:424, representatives or assigns of the owner of the oil and gas activity may remove, as a sample, oysters from an oyster lease on state water bottoms in order to make determinations in matters before the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board. In order to take such samples, the representatives or assigns of the owner of the oil and gas activity shall first submit written notice to the leaseholder. If the leaseholder has not granted permission within fifteen days after the written request for permission was submitted, the representatives or assigns of the owner of the oil and gas activity shall notify the leaseholder of the date and time that the lease will be surveyed. The leaseholder may accompany the biologist during the survey or may authorize another person to accompany the biologist during the survey.

Acts 1995, No. 1304, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1115, §1; Acts 2004, No. 282, §1, eff. June 15, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 438, §1, eff. July 11, 2005; Acts 2009, No. 363, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 458, §10, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:781 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 781
Authorization for creation of wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, upland game preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries
Status: in_force

The wildlife and fisheries commission shall select lands owned or acquired by the state for the establishment of wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, upland game preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries and may properly equip, maintain, and control the wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, upland game preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries for the protection and management of the wild game and wild animal life therein. The department shall properly stock the wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, the public hunting grounds, upland game preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.

Amended by Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:40.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 40.8
Both civil suit and criminal prosecution permissible; exceptions
Status: in_force

The pendency or determination of a suit brought under this Subpart or the pendency or determination of a criminal prosecution for the same killing, catching, taking, possession, or injury does not bar the other action; provided that civil restitution paid pursuant to the provisions of Article 895.2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure or acquittal of a criminal prosecution for the same killing, taking, possession, or injury shall act as a bar to an assessment of civil penalties or a civil action to recover penalties under this Subpart.

Acts 1988, No. 169, §2; Acts 1995, No. 137, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2023 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2023
Establishment of standards
Status: in_force

Artificial reefs and waters covered under this Chapter shall be sited, constructed, and subsequently maintained, monitored, and managed based upon the best scientific information available, and in a manner which shall:

(1) Enhance and conserve fishery and resources to the maximum extent practicable.

(2) Facilitate access and utilization by recreational and commercial user groups.

(3) Minimize conflicts among competing users of waters covered under this Chapter of the resources in such waters.

(4) Minimize environmental risk and risk to personal and public health and property.

(5) Be consistent with generally accepted principles of fishing law, the Louisiana Fishing Enhancement Act, and not create any unreasonable obstructions to navigation.

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:319.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 319.2
Designation and taking of exotic fish
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to designate as exotic a species of fish not indigenous to the state of Louisiana. The commission may promulgate rules under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to authorize the taking of exotic fish from public waters in the state under specified licenses and by specified gear. The secretary may issue permits as authorized by the commission. Such permits shall be valid for one year and shall be subject to monitoring, review, and suspension or revocation by the secretary.

Acts 2004, No. 98, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:306.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 306.1
Retail seafood dealer's license; place of business; employees; retail out-of-state crab shipping license; imported seafood license
Status: in_force

A. Any person buying, acquiring, or handling by any means whatsoever, from a Louisiana wholesale/retail seafood dealer, any species of fish whether fresh, frozen, processed, or unprocessed, that sells to the consumer for personal or household use and any person who ships fish out of or within the state of Louisiana to the consumer for personal or household use shall purchase a retail seafood dealer's license.

B.(1) The license shall be in the legal name of the licensee and shall list the legal mailing address and physical location of the place of business and any other information required by the department. If the place of business is a vehicle, the license shall state "vehicle" and shall list the legal mailing address and physical location of the licensee.

(2)(a) This license, when issued to an individual, allows the licensee to operate as a retail seafood dealer at any point within the state when that person is in possession of the original license. The license is only valid for the individual for whom it has been issued.

(b) This license, when issued to a corporation, partnership, or any other type of association, is valid only for one place of business and valid only to transact business for and in the name of the licensee.

(3) If the licensee owns or operates more than one place of business, then an additional retail seafood dealer's license must be purchased for each additional place of business or vehicle. The additional licenses shall be in the same name of the business, list a license number which shall be different than the original license, list the legal mailing address and the physical location of that place of business, and any other information required by the department.

(4) Individual employees of retail seafood dealers are not required to obtain a retail seafood dealer's license when transacting the business of the retail seafood dealer on the premises of the place of business, but any employee or person buying, acquiring, handling, or selling fish as a retail seafood dealer other than on the premises of the place of business must obtain a valid retail seafood dealer's license. When individual employees of a retail seafood dealer operate under the authority of a transport license for that dealer, the retail seafood dealer licensee remains responsible for all activities taking place under authority of that license.

(5) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a person transporting fish under the privilege of a Louisiana transport license purchased in connection with a Louisiana retail seafood dealer's license when that person buys fish for or on behalf of the retail seafood dealer and only transports such fish to that retail dealer.

(6) Restaurants and retail grocers who only purchase fish or seafood, whether fresh, frozen, processed, or unprocessed, from a licensed wholesale/retail seafood dealer and only sell such fish or seafood fully prepared for immediate consumption by the consumer need not be licensed in compliance with the provisions of this Section. Any restaurant or retail grocer who sells fish or seafood as described in R.S. 56:306 or this Section shall be licensed in accordance with the applicable law. All restaurants and retail grocers shall maintain records as required in this Subpart.

(7)(a) In addition to the license requirements contained in this Section, any retail seafood dealer who exports or attempts to export outside of the state of Louisiana any crabs, softshell crabs, boiled crabs, containerized crabmeat, or containerized pasteurized crabmeat shall be required to purchase a retail out-of-state crab shipping license in addition to his retail dealer's license. The retail out-of-state crab shipping license shall be issued in the same manner as a retail seafood dealer's license and shall be issued only to a person who is a licensed retail seafood dealer.

(b) The fee for a retail out-of-state crab shipping license shall be one hundred dollars per year. The license shall be valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year. The license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year.

(c) Of the revenues collected from the issuance of retail out-of-state crab shipping licenses, ten percent shall be deposited to the Conservation Fund, and ninety percent shall be deposited to the Crab Development, Management, and Derelict Crab Trap Removal Account, R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(e).

(8)(a) In addition to the license requirements contained in this Section, any retail seafood dealer who sells seafood sourced from outside of the federal exclusive economic zone (EEZ) shall be required to purchase an imported seafood license in addition to his retail dealer's license. The imported seafood license shall be issued in the same manner as a retail seafood dealer's license and shall be issued only to a person who is a licensed retail seafood dealer.

(b) The license shall be valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year. The license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year. The license fee shall be three hundred dollars.

(c) Ten percent of all revenues collected from the issuance of imported seafood licenses shall be deposited into the Conservation Fund as provided in R.S. 56:10, and the remainder shall be deposited in the Imported Seafood Safety Fund as provided in R.S. 40:5.10.1.

Acts 2022, No. 631, §1; Acts 2024, No. 719, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:85 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 85
Commission representatives from Louisiana; appointment; alternates
Status: in_force

In pursuance of R.S. 56:74, there shall be three representatives from Louisiana to the commission. The Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries shall be an ex officio representative; a member of the state legislature from a coastal parish, named by the governor for a four year period from the date of his election or until his successor has been elected shall be the second representative; the third representative shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall be a citizen of Louisiana having a knowledge of and interest in marine fisheries. The term of the third representative is for a period of four years. He shall hold office until his successor shall be appointed and qualified.

The Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries, as ex officio representative, may delegate, from time to time, to any deputy or other subordinate in his department or office, the power to be present and participate, including voting as his representative or substitute at any meeting or hearing by or other proceeding of the commission.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:302 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 302
Recreational fishing; recreational gear
Status: in_force

A. A recreational fisherman must purchase and possess the appropriate required license as defined in R.S. 56:3001 in order to use the following gear or to possess on the fishing grounds fish which have been caught for recreational purposes:

(1) Hook and line (using a rod or fishing pole, hook and line, without a reel and without using artificial bait).

(2) Bow and arrow.

(3) A barbless spear, or a multi-pronged barbed gig.

(4) Castnets with a radius not to exceed eight feet six inches.

(5) Frog gigs or catchers.

(6) Scuba gear.

(7) Crawfish nets.

(8) Dip nets.

(9) Landing nets.

(10) Minnow traps.

(11) Crab nets.

(12) Crab lines.

(13) Crab traps: for use of no more than ten crab traps.

(14) Hoop nets: for use of no more than five hoop nets.

(15) Oyster tongs: for use of no more than one tong.

(16) Slat traps: for use of no more than five slat traps.

(17) Trawls: for use of no more than one trawl less than twenty-five feet in length.

(18) Wire nets: for use of no more than five wire nets.

(19) Crawfish traps: for use of no more than thirty-five traps.

B. A fisherman taking fish for sale, using any legal gear listed in R.S. 56:305, or legally taking fish in excess of any limitation as to size, length, or quantity for recreational fishermen must purchase a commercial fisherman's license, commercial gear license, and vessel license if applicable. This includes recreational fishermen taking fish using any gear listed in R.S. 56:305 and fishermen taking fish for sale using any legal gear.

C. No recreational fisherman shall use gill nets, trammel nets, strike nets, or seines, except bait seines in compliance with R.S. 56:323.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1990, No. 455, §1; Acts 1991, No. 523, §1; Acts 1991, 871, §1; Acts 1992, No. 54, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1207, §1; Acts 2000, 2d Ex. Sess., No. 1, §4, eff. June 26, 2000; Acts 2004, No. 460, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1952 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1952
Definitions
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the terms used in this Chapter shall mean the following:

(1) "Louisiana Colonial Trails" means a system of trails or roads identified as the migration route of the Camino Real in the western part of the state from Natchitoches to the Texas border and the Harrisonburg Road from Natchitoches through east central Louisiana to the Mississippi River.

(2) "Scenic highway" means those designated modern day roads which parallel the colonial trail and is a route with significant scenic, historical, and recreational features by which tourists can travel across central Louisiana.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 57, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2035 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2035
Liability
Status: in_force

The district, the commission, the parish of Terrebonne, and its agencies, and any insurer of these groups shall not:

(1) Be liable for damages caused by activities required to be undertaken under the terms and conditions of any state and/or federal laws or permits required for reef development.

(2) Any person or company who has transferred title of artificial reef construction materials to the district shall not be liable for damages arising from the use of such materials in an artificial reef, if such materials meet applicable requirements of the National Artificial Reef Plan published under Section 204 of the National Fishing Enhancement Act, and United States Department of Interior Regulations.

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1703 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1703
Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair Dedicated Fund Account
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established in the state treasury a special statutorily dedicated fund account to be known as the "Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair Dedicated Fund Account", hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "account". Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

B. Out of the funds remaining in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state that become due and payable within a fiscal year, the treasurer in each fiscal year shall pay into the account all of the following:

(1) An amount equal to the total amount of fees and other self-generated revenues generated by state parks, except as provided in R.S. 56:1704.

(2) An amount equal to all donations of private monies made to the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency or corporation of the state for the conservation, administration, control, management, development, operation, or maintenance of any office of state parks holdings. These monies shall be appropriated only for the conservation, administration, control, management, development, operation, or maintenance of office of state parks holdings.

C. Except as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, the monies in the account shall be used solely for the purpose of financing improvements and repairs at state parks in the state and shall be allocated, subject to appropriation by the legislature, as follows:

(1) Except as provided in R.S. 56:1704, fifty percent of the monies in the account shall be allocated to each state park in an amount equal to fifty percent of the amount of fees and other self-generated funds generated by that park.

(2) Fifty percent of the monies in the account shall be allocated for use throughout the state park system on the following priority need basis, as recommended by the assistant secretary of the office of state parks:

(a) First, for protection of life or property on existing park areas.

(b) Second, for general repairs and improvements to existing facilities on existing park areas.

(c) Third, for addition of new facilities on existing park areas.

(d) Fourth, for acquisition of property to expand existing park areas.

(e) Fifth, for maintenance and operations of existing park areas.

D. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the account at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the account and be available for appropriation in the next fiscal year in the same manner as allocated herein. Monies in the account shall be invested as provided by law. Interest earned on the investment of monies in the account shall be credited to the state general fund.

Acts 1989, No. 729, §1, eff. July 8, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 121, §1, eff. July 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 770, §1; Acts 2013, No. 420, §8, eff. June 21, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 791, §19; Acts 2021, No. 114, §16, eff. July 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:492.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 492.1
Excluder devices
Status: in_force

The commission may promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act relative to the use, possession, and configuration of devices designed to exclude the take of certain fish and other aquatic life from fishing gear within the territorial waters of the state and in the federal exclusive economic zone.

Acts 2015, No. 416, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1854 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1854
Commercial cutting of trees
Status: in_force

A. The cutting or harvesting of timber within one hundred feet of the ordinary low water mark of a natural and scenic or historic and scenic river provided for in this Part is prohibited except as follows:

(1) The selective harvesting of trees for commercial purposes is permitted.

(2) The cutting of trees for the control of disease or insects is permitted.

(3) The harvesting of timber for personal use by the person who owns or leases the property is permitted.

B. When trees are cut or harvested, for any purpose, within one hundred feet of the ordinary low water mark of a natural and scenic or historic and scenic river provided for in this Part, the person who owns or leases the property shall be responsible for removing the tree tops from the river.

C. A violation of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class two violation, R.S. 56:32.

Acts 1988, No. 947, §1, eff. July 27, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:433.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 433.1
Oyster seed ground vessel permit
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) Any oysters taken for commercial purposes from the public natural reefs or the oyster seed grounds or reservations, except those in Calcasieu Lake or Sabine Lake, shall be placed only on a vessel which has an oyster seed ground vessel permit issued exclusively by the department pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the commission. The commission may establish a limit on the number of permits that may be issued each year after consultation with the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. The permit shall be issued in the name of the vessel owner and shall identify the vessel permitted by including the state registration number or the United States Coast Guard documented number. The permit shall identify the vessel that may possess and transport oysters taken from the public natural reefs and oyster seed grounds. The permit does not grant any rights to the oyster resource or any rights to harvest oysters from the waters of the state and shall not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise transferred. The permit is valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year, and permit holders who hold a valid permit during the prior year may renew the permit at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year. The cost of the permit shall be fifty dollars per year for a resident and two hundred dollars per year for a nonresident.

(b) In addition to the vessel permit fee, in order to harvest oysters from the public grounds, a person onboard the permitted vessel shall be in possession of a Public Oyster Seed Ground gear permit. The Public Oyster Seed Ground gear permit is an extension of the vessel permit and allows harvest of oysters from the public seed grounds using a single scraper, tongs, or by hand. The fee for the gear permit is two hundred dollars per year for a resident and eight hundred dollars per year for a nonresident. A second scraper may be used but requires an additional gear permit. No vessel shall use or possess more than two scrapers while harvesting on the public seed grounds.

(c) After having been credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as required by Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, all revenues received from purchase of the permits provided for in this Subsection shall be deposited in the Oyster Resource Management Account, R.S. 56:10(B)(4).

(2) Vessel owners, as listed in the official record of the department at the time of application, who meet the requirements of Subsection B of this Section shall have the right to submit to the department a new application for an oyster seed ground vessel permit. Except as authorized in Paragraph (B)(4) of this Section, no new applications for such vessel permits shall be accepted after December 31, 2012. A vessel owner shall be eligible for a permit only for each vessel which can be used to meet the qualifications for a permit under the provisions of Subsection B of this Section.

(3) The taking of oysters from the public natural reefs or the oyster seed grounds or reservations without an oyster seed ground vessel permit shall be a class two violation subject to the penalties provided in R.S. 56:32 and to the requirements of R.S. 56:424.1.

(4) In an effort to collect data to enable the department to better manage the public oyster resource, the commission may adopt rules and regulations which require the use of a vessel monitoring system for use by a vessel taking oysters for commercial purposes under the authority of the oyster seed ground vessel permit. Any data collected by the department shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the Public Records Law.

B. The following vessel owners, as listed in the official records of the department at the time of application for the permit or who can, at the time of application, demonstrate to the department that ownership of that vessel has transferred to them, shall be eligible to receive an oyster seed ground vessel permit:

(1) Any person who owned a vessel that was licensed at any time between January 1, 2004, and May 1, 2009, and can demonstrate through trip ticket submissions that that vessel had oyster landings in the state of Louisiana between January 1, 2004, and May 1, 2009.

(2) Any person who purchased or constructed a vessel and licensed that vessel in the state of Louisiana between January 1, 2004, and May 1, 2009, and who can demonstrate through trip ticket submissions that oysters were landed on that vessel in the state of Louisiana between the time of the vessel's purchase or construction and May 1, 2009.

(3) Any person who can provide evidence that he has a vessel that is under construction in the state of Louisiana that is at least fifty percent complete on May 1, 2009.

(4)(a) Notwithstanding the application date limitation contained in Paragraph (A)(2) of this Section, a person who owns an oyster vessel and who has satisfactorily completed the requirements of a professionalism program may submit an application for an oyster seed ground vessel permit under the provisions of this Section.

(b) The commission shall develop, establish, and monitor a professionalism program for the purpose of training vessel owners in the appropriate methods and practices of oyster harvest from the public seed grounds.

C. Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

D. Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

E. Repealed by Acts 2016, No. 291, §2.

Acts 2008, No. 922, §2, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 376, §1; Acts 2011, No. 266, §2; Acts 2012, No. 85, §1; Acts 2013, No. 20, §1; Acts 2016, No. 291, §§1, 2; Acts 2019, No. 144, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §§2, 5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021; Acts 2023, No. 170, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:334.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 334.2
Freshwater fishing allowed in designated saltwater areas
Status: in_force

The saltwater angling license required in R.S. 56:302.1(C) shall not preclude a person from fishing for freshwater species of fish south of the designated saltwater line described in R.S. 56:322(A) or in saltwater lakes and bodies of water designated in R.S. 56:322(B). A person may take or possess in such designated saltwater areas, without a saltwater angling license, any freshwater species of fish in any number not otherwise prohibited by law, provided the person possesses a valid fishing license as otherwise required by law. For the purpose of enforcement, the department shall determine by rule which species of fish shall be classified as a freshwater species and which shall be classified as a saltwater species. Any person, without a valid saltwater angling license, that takes a saltwater species of fish as classified by the department from a designated saltwater area shall return such fish immediately to the waters from which taken without avoidable injury. An enforcement agent or officer of the department may inspect a fisherman's catch to insure compliance with this Section.

Acts 1986, No. 844, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:305 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 305
Commercial gear license; issuance to certain nonresidents prohibited; moratorium on certain new gear licenses; renewals
Status: in_force

A. A commercial fisherman must possess a commercial gear license indicating that the applicable gear fee has been paid whenever using or possessing on the fishing grounds any gear listed in Subsection B, below.

B. Residents shall pay a commercial gear fee as follows:

(1) Shrimp Gear:

(a) Butterfly nets: twenty-five dollars for each butterfly net.

(b) Skimmer nets: twenty-five dollars for each skimmer net.

(c) Trawls: twenty-five dollars for each trawl, except no fee is required for use of a test trawl, as defined by R.S. 56:495.1(A), when used with another trawl for which the gear fee has been paid.

(d) Freshwater shrimp net: twenty-five dollars to use a freshwater shrimp net in accordance with R.S. 56:501.

(e) All revenue collected from the sale of shrimp gear fees established in this Paragraph, or from nonresident shrimp gear fees collected pursuant to Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section, shall be credited to the Shrimp Development and Management Account as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(b)(ii).

(2) Oyster Gear:

(a) Oyster tongs: fifty dollars for each oyster tong.

(b) Oyster scrapers: fifty dollars for each scraper.

(c) All revenue collected from the sale of oyster gear fees established in this Paragraph, or from nonresident oyster gear fees collected pursuant to Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section, shall be credited to the Oyster Resource Management Account as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(4).

(3) Crab Gear:

(a) Crab traps: fifty dollars for the privilege of using crab traps to fish commercially.

(b) All revenue collected from the sale of crab gear fees established in this Paragraph, or from nonresident crab gear fees collected pursuant to Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section, shall be credited to the Crab Development, Management, and Derelict Crab Trap Removal Account as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(e).

(4) Saltwater Finfish Gear:

(a) Mullet strike net: three hundred dollars per mullet strike net that may be used only during the special mullet season defined in R.S. 56:333.

(b) Pompano strike net: three hundred dollars per pompano strike net that may be used only during the special pompano season defined in R.S. 56:325.4 and 406.

(c) All commercial gear licenses as provided for in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph issued to all qualified nonresidents shall be one thousand two hundred dollars.

(d) Rod and reel: three hundred fifty dollars to fish in the saltwater areas of the state as defined in R.S. 56:322(A) and (B). The department may issue a saltwater commercial rod and reel gear license to each applicant only if the following conditions have been met:

(i) The applicant must provide positive proof that they held a valid commercial gear license for gill nets during any two years of the years 1995, 1994, and 1993.

(ii) The applicant must provide positive proof, in the form of unamended original state and federal income tax returns, including Schedule C of the federal 1040 form, submitted in accordance with procedures established by the commission, that the applicant has derived more than fifty percent of his earned income from the capture and sale of seafood species in at least two of the three years 1995, 1994, or 1993.

(e) Purse seines/menhaden seines: two thousand dollars for each purse seine in use.

(f) Other saltwater gear: fifty dollars to use any legal number of commercial cast nets with a radius in excess of eight feet six inches, hoop nets, or other legal gear for use in the saltwater areas of the state as defined in R.S. 56:322(A) and (B). Effective May 1, 1995, the department shall not issue any new commercial gear licenses for gill nets, trammel nets, strike nets, or seines for use in the saltwater areas of the state. The department may issue renewal licenses to any person, company, or corporation that held a valid commercial gear license for such gear for at least two years during either the 1992, 1993, or 1994 calendar years. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to licenses issued for the commercial taking of menhaden.

(5) Crawfish Gear:

Crawfish traps: twenty-five dollars for the privilege of using crawfish traps to fish commercially.

(6) Freshwater Gear:

(a) Fifty dollars to use one shad gill net pursuant to R.S. 56:322.2. No person shall receive more than one such license per year.

(b) Fifty dollars to use one shad seine in freshwater areas of the state pursuant to R.S. 56:322.1. No person shall receive more than one such license per year.

(c) Fifty dollars to use any legal number of hoop nets, seines, slat traps, trammel nets, cast nets with a radius in excess of eight feet six inches, wire nets, pipes, buckets, drums, tires, and cans that are placed into the water for the purpose of capturing and taking fish for commercial purposes in the freshwater areas of the state as defined in R.S. 56:322(A) and (B).

C.(1) The commercial gear fee for nonresidents is four times the gear fee for residents; however, the nonresident fee for oyster dredges and tongs in particular shall be eight times the fee for residents.

(2) No commercial gear license allowing the use of specific fishing gear shall be issued to any nonresident whose domiciliary state prohibits the use of similar commercial fishing gear.

(3) Effective May 1, 1995, the department shall not issue any new commercial gear licenses for gill nets, trammel nets, strike nets, or seines for use in the saltwater areas of the state. The department may issue renewal licenses to any person, company, or corporation that held a valid commercial gear license for such gear for at least two years during either the 1992, 1993, or 1994 calendar years. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to licenses issued for the commercial taking of menhaden.

D. In the event more than one gear type is in possession on the fishing grounds the gear fee for each type of gear must be paid and so indicated on the gear license.

E. A gear fee must be paid for each piece of gear or each type of gear, whichever is applicable, being used to take fish or, if the gear is not in use but is in possession on the fishing grounds, the gear fee must be paid for each piece of gear or type of gear, whichever is applicable, intended for use or which was used to take fish.

F. All persons on board any commercial vessel, from which any commercial rod and reel is used, shall possess a valid commercial fishing license.

G. In addition to any other fees provided for in this Section, any commercial fisherman who purchases a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear license shall be required to pay an annual fee of ten dollars for residents and forty dollars for nonresidents for deposit into the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Account as provided for in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(b)(i). The licensee shall pay the fee required by this Subsection only once in any single license year.

H. Repealed by Acts 2018, No. 612, §22, eff. July 1, 2020.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1987, No. 854, §1; Acts 1988, No. 825, §1; Acts 1988, No. 234, §1; Acts 1990, No. 307, §1; Acts 1991, No. 859, §1; Acts 1991, No. 871, §1; Acts 1991, No. 887, §1, eff. Nov. 1, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 54, §1; Acts 1995, No. 462, §1, eff. May 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 543, §2; Acts 1995, No. 1316, §2; Acts 1997, No. 527, §2, eff. July 3, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 727, §2; Acts 1997, No. 1181, §1; Acts 1999, No. 772, §1; Acts 2000, 2d Ex. Sess., No. 19, §1; Acts 2001, No. 112, §1; Acts 2003, No. 274, §1; Acts 2003, No. 379, §1; Acts 2004, No. 126, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 825, §1; Acts 2004, No. 904, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 172, §1; Acts 2005, No. 195, §1, eff. July 1, 2005; Acts 2015, No. 303, §1; Acts 2016, No. 133, §1; Acts 2018, No. 612, §22, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

NOTE: See Acts 2019, No. 87, directing the state treasurer to transfer monies remaining in the Shrimp Trade Petition Account to the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:301.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 301.2
Application requirements; proof of residency; material misstatements; fees for certain alien individual licenses
Status: in_force

A. The following applies to all licenses required by this Part:

(1) No license may be issued until all information requested on the application is supplied to the issuing agent. When a license application requires the submission of an income tax return, sufficient proof of the accuracy of the return may be by notarized affidavit of the preparer of the return. The affidavit shall include language certifying that the information in the return is complete and accurate.

(2) Forms of acceptable payment for licenses shall be determined by the department.

(3) No resident license may be issued prior to proof of Louisiana residency by the applicant.

(4) The issuance of a license is conditional upon validation of all information on the application. If the department finds any material misstatement of fact regarding the residency of the applicant or the ownership of the vessel for which application is made, the license is void and shall be immediately surrendered to an agent of the department.

B. The license fee for an alien individual for licenses required in Subparts C, D, E, F, G, and I of this Part shall be two times the cost of a similar nonresident license.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1413, §1, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 177, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:301.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 301.6
Special licenses and permits
Status: in_force

A person taking or possessing fish with a permit or license pursuant to R.S. 56:17, 318, 319, 412, 571, or any other Section of the laws of Louisiana, and unless otherwise prohibited by law, may be required to be licensed pursuant to this Part. A decision to require licensing shall be made at the sole discretion of the secretary.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:491 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 491
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context clearly shows a different meaning:

(1)(a) "Saltwater shrimp" includes all species of shrimp of commercial or economic value found in the coastal waters of the state and in the Gulf of Mexico contiguous to the Louisiana coast, including the white shrimp or "common saltwater shrimp"( Litopenaeus setiferus ), also called the "lake shrimp"; the brown shrimp ( Farfantepenaeus aztecus ); the pink shrimp ( Farfantepenaeus duorarum ); the "sea bob" ( Xiphopeneus kroyeri ), also called "six barbes"; and any other shrimp or shrimplike species which may be taken from coastal waters or sold through commercial channels.

(b) "Freshwater shrimp" means the common river shrimp ( Macrobrachium ohione ) and the delta river shrimp ( Macrobrachium acanthurus ).

(2) "Take", in its different tenses, includes the act of pursuing, netting, capturing, trapping, wounding, or killing by any means or device whatsoever; and it includes any attempt to seine, trawl for, or catch saltwater shrimp.

(3) "Possess" in its different tenses, includes the act of having in possession or control, keeping, detaining, restraining, or holding as owner, or as agent, bailee, or custodian of another; and whenever possession, sale, or purchase of shrimp is prohibited, reference is made equally to such shrimp coming from without the state as to that taken within the state.

(4) "Transport" in its different tenses, includes the act of shipping, attempting to ship, receiving or delivering for shipment, transporting, conveying, carrying, or exporting, by air, land, or water, or by any means whatsoever.

(5) "Processing" includes any method of preparing shrimp for the market, including drying, canning, packing, beheading, or freezing, but not the simple packing of fresh shrimp in ice during transportation.

(6) "Consumer" includes restaurants and other places where shrimp is prepared for consumption or otherwise utilized, and includes persons using shrimp for bait.

(7) The "length of seines, trawls, or other netting" is the full measure of the extended net as in use or in possession on the fishing grounds, when measured along the cork line between the points where the webbing is attached to the rope at either end, and does not include the additional rope used for pulling the net or attaching it to the arm-poles or trawl boards.

(8) The "size of the mesh" of netting means the full measure of the mesh as found in use or in possession on the fishing grounds, measuring the full "bar" stretched from the near side of one knot to the far side of the other.

Amended by Acts 1958, No. 53, §1, emerg. eff. June 24, 1958; Acts 1997, No. 1163, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 2004, No. 126, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:113 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 113
Taking wild birds or game imported for experimentation or propagation
Status: in_force

No person shall take any wild bird or wild quadruped imported into this state by the state or federal government or by any person for the purpose of experimentation or propagation except under the supervision and consent of the secretary.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:136 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 136
Jurisdiction where offense committed in river between two parishes or in Gulf of Mexico
Status: in_force

If any offense is alleged to have been committed in a river dividing two parishes, any court in either parish has territorial jurisdiction if otherwise competent as herein provided; if committed in any lake, bay, inlet, or other body of water bound by more than one parish, any court in any parish bordering on such waters has territorial jurisdiction if otherwise competent as herein provided.

If any offense is alleged to have been committed in the Gulf of Mexico within the waters of the state, any court in any parish bordering on the Gulf has territorial jurisdiction if otherwise competent as provided herein.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:481 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 481
Size limits
Status: in_force

It shall be illegal to possess clams of less than one inch measured from hinge to edge of shell. Clams shall be culled where taken and all clams of less than legal size shall be immediately returned to the waters. A tolerance of ten percent by count of any catch shall be allowed.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 616, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:102 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 102
Hunting guide license; fees; penalties
Status: in_force

A. No person shall act as nor represent himself to be a hunting guide unless that person possesses a valid hunting guide license, proof of liability insurance, and a valid state recreational hunting license that grants hunting privileges appropriate for his client's guided hunting activity. In addition, any person acting as a hunting guide who is in charge of the operation of a vessel shall have a valid captain's license issued by the United States Coast Guard.

B.(1) The annual fee for a resident hunting guide license is one hundred fifty dollars.

(2) The annual fee for a nonresident hunting guide license is six hundred dollars.

C. A hunting guide license is valid for one year, beginning on July first of each calendar year and expiring on June thirtieth of the following calendar year.

D. A hunting guide license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from June first for the immediately following license year.

E. A hunting guide license shall be issued by the department during normal working hours and may be purchased in person at the Baton Rouge office, or at any other location designated by the department.

F. The fees derived pursuant to this Section shall be placed in the Conservation Fund.

G. A violation of any provision of this Section shall constitute a class four violation under the provisions of R.S. 56:34.

Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:413 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 413
Harvest and sale of domesticated aquatic organisms
Status: in_force

Harvest and sale of domesticated aquatic organisms produced in private artificial reservoirs or enclosures located on privately owned property may be carried out at the time desired by the grower and with seines or tackle selected by the owner. Persons engaged in aquaculture, as defined in this Subpart, shall be entitled to transport, without restriction, on the public roads and highways of this state any and all equipment, except any electric fish shocking devices, necessary for the harvest of domesticated aquatic organisms produced in privately owned waters.

Added by Acts 1964, No. 245, §1. Amended by Acts 1966, No. 242, §1; Acts 1974, No. 223, §3; Acts 1997, No. 1237, §1; Acts 2008, No. 23, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1237, §2, for exception of Atchafalaya Basin.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:640.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 640.2
Definitions
Status: in_force

The terms used herein shall have the following meanings ascribed to them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Fisheries operation" means any type of operation involving the harvesting, processing, storing, canning, or landing of fish, any operation providing fishery support services, or any piece of equipment used therein, including but not limited to fishing vessels, fishing gear and equipment, processing plants, canning plants, docks, piers, loading areas, landing areas, and ice houses.

(2) "Generally accepted fisheries practices" means any practices conducted in a manner consistent with proper and accepted customs and standards as established and followed by similar fisheries operations in similar communities or locales and under similar circumstances.

Acts 1986, No. 988, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:611 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 611
Establishment authorized
Status: in_force

A biologic station for the investigation of problems affecting the fish and fisheries of Louisiana is created and shall be located on the Gulf coast of this state.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1867 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1867
Dedication of natural areas
Status: in_force

A. The owner of any natural area may dedicate that area as a natural area preserve by executing with the department an act transferring such portion of the owner's interest in the property as agreed upon by the owner and the department to the department for the people of Louisiana.

B. The department may acquire any natural area by donation, purchase, exchange, devise, or bequest.

C. The department may dedicate any property owned by the department as a natural area preserve by filing and recording an act subjecting the property to the provisions of this Part in the office of the clerk of court in the parish which any or all of the area is located.

D. The property dedicated pursuant to this Part shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the department which:

(1) Require the protection, preservation, management, custody, and use of the natural area preserve in a manner consistent with the intent and purposes of this Part.

(2) Define the rights and privileges of the owner and the department.

(3) Provide for such other provisions as the owner or department shall deem necessary to discharge the provisions of this Part or to complete the transfer.

E. The department shall agree to no such acts which do not provide for the protection, preservation, and management of the natural area in a manner consistent with the intent and purposes of this Part.

F. The department shall be the agency of the state of Louisiana primarily responsible for acquisition of natural area preserves, but no provision of this Part shall be construed to limit the department's authority to acquire other property. Any property acquired by the department or any other agency of the state or political subdivision thereof pursuant to any other authority in law may be dedicated according to the provision of this Part.

G. No provision of this Part shall be construed to limit the authority of any other agency to acquire and dedicate natural areas according to the provisions of this Part.

H. No property dedicated pursuant to this Part may be transferred or assigned by the department or any successor in title unless it is subject to the provisions of this Part and any act which requires the management and preservation of the property in accordance with the intent and purpose of this Part.

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:121 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 121
Traps, cages, etc., for taking wild birds; confiscation; exception for destructive blackbirds
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided in this Section or under special license granted in pursuance of R.S. 56:104, no person shall at any time use or set a trap, cage, snare, net, or device for the purpose of taking wild birds. Wildlife agents and other officers empowered to enforce the provisions of this Subpart may confiscate and destroy all traps, nets, snares, and other devices which they may find set or being used for the purpose of taking wild birds, and may liberate any wild birds found possessed contrary to the provisions of this Subpart.

B. Blackbirds which become destructive of crops on private property may be trapped and destroyed by the property owner or by another person with the permission of the property owner.

C. Violation of this Section constitutes a class three violation.

Acts 1988, No. 806, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:69.21 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 69.21
Wildlife Violator Compact
Status: in_force

A. This Subpart shall be known and may be cited as the "Wildlife Violator Compact". Louisiana, a participating state, finds that:

(1) Wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit of all of their residents and visitors.

(2) The protection of the wildlife resources of a state is materially affected by the degree of compliance with its statutes, laws, ordinances, and administrative rules relating to the management of those resources.

(3) The preservation, protection, management, and restoration of wildlife contribute immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational, and economic aspects of the natural resources of a state.

(4) Wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries; therefore, a person should be required to comply with wildlife preservation, protection, management, and restoration laws, ordinances, and administrative rules of a participating state as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of a license to hunt, fish, trap, or possess wildlife.

(5) Violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of persons and property.

(6) The mobility of many wildlife violators necessitates the maintenance of channels of communication among the various states.

(7) Usually, one of the following enforcement practices is used on a person who is cited for a wildlife violation in a state other than his home state:

(a) Is required to post collateral or bond to secure appearance for a trial at a later date.

(b) Is taken directly into custody until collateral or bond is posted.

(c) Is taken directly to court for an immediate appearance.

(8) The purpose of the enforcement practices set forth in Paragraph (7) of this Subsection is to ensure compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation by the cited person who, if permitted to continue on his way after receiving the citation, could return to his home state and disregard his duty under the terms of the citation.

(9) In most instances, a person receiving a wildlife citation in his home state is permitted to accept the citation from the wildlife officer at the scene of the violation and immediately continue on his way after agreeing or being instructed to comply with the terms of the citation.

(10) The enforcement practices described in Paragraph (7) of this Subsection cause unnecessary inconvenience and, at times, hardship for a person who is unable to post collateral, furnish a bond, stand trial, or pay a fine at that time and is therefore compelled to remain in custody until some alternative arrangement is made.

(11) The enforcement practices described in Paragraph (7) of this Subsection consume an undue amount of enforcement time.

B. It is the policy of the participating states to:

(1) Promote compliance with the statutes, laws, ordinances, and administrative rules relating to the management of wildlife resources in the respective states.

(2) Recognize the suspension of wildlife license privileges of a person whose license privileges have been suspended by another participating state and treat the suspension as if it had occurred in the home state.

(3) Allow a person, except as provided in R.S. 56:69.23, to accept a citation and, without delay, proceed on his way, whether or not the person is a resident of the state in which the citation was issued, provided that the person's home state is a participating state in the Wildlife Violator Compact.

(4) Report to the appropriate participating state, as provided in the compact manual, a conviction recorded against a person whose home state was not the issuing state.

(5) Allow a home state to recognize and treat convictions recorded against its residents, which convictions occurred in another participating state, as though they had occurred in the home state.

(6) Cooperate to the fullest extent with other participating states in enforcing compliance with the terms of citations issued by one participating state to residents of another participating state.

(7) Maximize effective use of law enforcement personnel and information.

(8) Assist court systems in the efficient disposition of wildlife violations.

Acts 2008, No. 363, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:699.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 699.6
Firearm and hunter education exemption
Status: in_force

The provisions of R.S. 56:699.5 shall not apply to any active or veteran member of the United States armed services or to any POST-certified law enforcement officer or to any individual with current POST-certification. The commission may adopt rules to implement this Section including rules regarding evidence of such service. Application for the exemption authorized in this Section shall be filed in person at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries main office building in the city of Baton Rouge, or at any other location designated by the department.

Acts 2001, No. 223, §1; Acts 2008, No. 46, §1; Acts 2012, No. 364, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:648.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 648.3
Failure to obey order; violation
Status: in_force

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to continue any conduct in violation of R.S. 56:648.1 when ordered to desist by an enforcement officer who has observed such conduct or who has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged in such conduct on that day or plans or intends to engage in such conduct that day on a specific property.

B. Violation of the provisions of R.S. 56:648.3(A) shall constitute a Class three violation.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 376, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:178 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 178
Ownership of birds and animals on fenced breeding area; trespass
Status: in_force

Whoever under the authority of this Sub-part has in his lawful possession on such posted or fenced breeding area any such animal or bird or parts thereof shall have a property right therein and shall be the owner thereof. Whoever enters the game farm or preserve or catches, takes, or molests such animals or birds when the area has been posted or fenced according to law shall be punished as though the animals or birds were ordinary domestic animals and birds subject to the common property rights of the state.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1689 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1689
Violation of rules and regulations; penalty
Status: in_force

In addition to any penalties otherwise provided by law, violation of any of the rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism shall be punishable by fine of not less than fifteen dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:421 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 421
Oyster Task Force
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established the Oyster Task Force to study and monitor the molluscan industry and to make recommendations for the maximization of benefit from that industry for the state of Louisiana and its citizens.

B. The task force shall be composed as follows:

(1) The governor's executive assistant for coastal activities or his designee.

(2) Two members appointed by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(3) One member appointed by the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy.

(4) One member appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

(5) Four members appointed by the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association. Two members appointed under the provisions of this Paragraph shall be selected at-large. Of the other two members, one shall be from Jefferson Parish and one shall be selected from either Lafourche or Terrebonne Parish.

(6) Two members appointed by the Plaquemines Oyster Association.

(7) One member appointed by the Terrebonne Oyster Association.

(8) One member appointed by the Cameron Parish police jury who is a properly licensed oyster harvester with documented commercial landings of oysters from Calcasieu Lake, or a properly licensed seafood dealer with documented commercial purchases of oysters from Calcasieu Lake during the current or preceding license year of appointment as per records of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(9) One member appointed by the Southwest Pass Oyster Leaseholder Association.

(10) Two members appointed by the United Commercial Fisherman's Association.

(11) One member appointed by the Delta Commercial Fisherman's organization.

(12) One member who has voting authority and is an oyster grower appointed by the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

(13) One member appointed by the Louisiana Oyster Aquaculture Association.

(14) One member appointed by the executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

(15) One member appointed by the Louisiana Oystermen Association.

C. The members appointed under the provisions of Paragraphs (B)(1) through (4) and (14) of this Section shall be nonvoting members. However, they shall be considered members of the task force for determination of the number of members necessary for a quorum and for establishing the presence of a quorum.

D. The task force shall adopt bylaws under which it shall operate, and seven members of the task force shall constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the task force. The task force shall elect a chairman from its membership and may seek and receive assistance from universities within the state in the development of methods to increase production and marketability of molluscan shellfish. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation; however, the task force may receive the same reimbursement of travel expenses for attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees' travel.

E. The task force is hereby charged with responsibility to do the following:

(1) Monitor the water quality and management requirements of the state's molluscan shellfish propagating areas.

(2) Coordinate efforts to increase oyster production and salability.

(3) Study the decline in molluscan shellfish salability, the degradation of water quality which could adversely affect consumer health, and the reasons for such declines and degradations, and make recommendations to resolve such problems.

(4) Make recommendations with respect to issues pertaining to the oyster industry and oyster production to the various state agencies charged with responsibility for differing elements of the oyster industry in this state, including the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Department of Health, the governor's executive assistant for coastal activities, and the legislature.

(5) Employ such personnel as necessary.

(6) Develop markets and marketing strategies for the development of new and expanded markets for Louisiana oysters.

(7) Represent the interests of the Louisiana oyster industry before federal and state administrative and legislative bodies on issues of importance to the Louisiana oyster industry.

(8) Contract for legal services to represent the interests of the Louisiana oyster industry in judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings.

(9) Administer the funds in the Oyster Development Fund.

(10) Perform any acts deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

F. The activities of the Oyster Task Force shall be funded through the Oyster Development Fund as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(a)(ii).

Acts 1999, No. 439, §2; Acts 2003, No. 278, §1; Acts 2008, No. 103, §1; Acts 2009, No. 523, §4, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 264, §1; Acts 2012, No. 604, §4, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2022, No. 380, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:438 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 438
Surveyor, definition
Status: in_force

Surveyor as used in this Subpart shall mean the surveyor of the department or any other professional land surveyor qualified and currently licensed by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Surveying Board in accordance with R.S. 37:681 et seq. who is authorized by the secretary to survey oyster leases under the laws of the state and rules, regulations, and policies of the department.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 2003, No. 279, §8.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:640.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 640.3
Right to fish; legislation; scientific data
Status: in_force

A. The legislature recognizes that under the public trust doctrine the marine fishery resources, among other natural resources, are managed by the state in trust for the benefit of all its citizens.

B. The legislature also recognizes that all citizens of the state have a right to fish in and otherwise enjoy marine waters as long as they are in compliance with current licensing requirements. Furthermore, conservation and management decisions shall be fair and equitable to all the people of the state and implemented in such a manner that no individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such rights and privileges. The right to fish does not convey any property right or ownership in the fishery resource, but rather recognizes continued public access to fishing opportunities in marine waters.

C. The legislature further recognizes that the state's marine fishery resources require proper management in order to be sustained biologically and to continually produce a maximum yield of social and economic benefits. To this end, restrictions on legal fishing methods to harvest finfish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, and other marine fish species may become necessary.

D. The department shall recommend the elimination or restriction of any fishing gear currently in use or which may be used in recreational or commercial fisheries in implementing its management responsibilities or in response to any emergency situation. While elimination or restriction may have uneven impacts on different groups of fishermen, the proposed measures should be applicable to all people of the state. In addition to acquiring the best available biological data, the department shall use all practicable means to collect all relevant social and economic data in support of such allocation decisionmaking efforts.

Acts 1986, No. 988, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1316, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1861 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1861
Short title
Status: in_force

This Part shall be known as and may be cited as the "Louisiana Natural Areas Registry."

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:304.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 304.5
Transferability; change of vessel name
Status: in_force

A. Vessel licenses are not transferable except as provided by rule or regulation of the department.

B. The name of a vessel for which a vessel license has been issued cannot be changed without prior notification to the department.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1692.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1692.1
Fee exemption for "Golden Age Passport" holders; camp sites
Status: in_force

Any citizen of the United States who possesses a Golden Age Passport issued by an agency of the United States pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 460 shall be permitted, upon presentation of the Golden Age Passport and proper identification to state park authorities, to camp at sites within Louisiana state parks for one-half the normal fee if an unoccupied camp site is available and if the state park system of the citizen's domicile as reflected on his presented identification also recognizes such passes for discounted access or services.

Acts 1992, No. 124, §1; Acts 1995, No. 104, §1; Acts 1995, No. 266, §1; Acts 2001, No. 917, §1; Acts 2010, No. 50, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1696 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1696
Surplus from operation of parks
Status: in_force

The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is hereby authorized to retain any surplus funds remaining at the end of each fiscal year resulting from the operations of the various office of state parks holdings, provided that such surpluses are to be expended within one year after the close of each fiscal year for the purchase of equipment, repairs and improvements to existing facilities, when approved by the commissioner of administration.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1950.21 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1950.21
Purpose
Status: in_force

The purpose of the Louisiana Music Trail is to commemorate and to promote awareness and encourage enjoyment of the stories, biographies, and points of interest in blues, rock and roll, country, zydeco, cajun, jazz, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, swamp pop, gospel, and other music types throughout Louisiana.

Acts 2023, No. 283, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:497.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 497.1
Trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear license eligibility
Status: in_force

A. Any person convicted of commercial or recreational shrimping during the closed season twice within a five-year period shall not be eligible to hold a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear license for a period of three years from the date of the second conviction.

B. Any person convicted of commercial or recreational shrimping during the closed season three or more times during a five-year period shall not be eligible to hold a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear license for a period of ten years from the date of the third or subsequent conviction.

C. Any person who is ineligible to hold a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net gear license pursuant to the provisions of this Section is prohibited from engaging in commercial or recreational shrimping or being aboard a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net gear unless the vessel is equipped with and employs an approved operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. A violation of this provision shall constitute a class four violation.

Acts 2005, No. 102, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:30 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 30
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; powers; duties; functions; periodic evaluation of fees and charges imposed
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall, at least once every two years, periodically review every fee imposed by the department or by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and every fee charged for issuance or renewal of every license or permit issued or renewed by the department or commission. This review shall be conducted, as to each fee, license, or permit, at least every two years. The following items shall be included in the periodic review:

(1) The actual costs and expenses incurred by the department and the commission in creating and distributing licenses or permits required by law.

(2) The actual costs and expenses incurred in monitoring public compliance for licensing and permitting.

(3) The monies actually received by the department or the commission as a license fee, permit fee, or other fee required by law.

(4) Any other information regarding fees, licenses, and permits deemed relevant to the analysis by the department.

B. A summary of each analysis by the department, together with recommendations for adjustment in a fee, license fee, or permit fee charged by the department or commission, shall be forwarded to the Senate and House committees on natural resources.

Acts 1995, No. 514, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1688 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1688
Park wardens; powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism may appoint competent men to serve as state park wardens.

B. State park wardens shall, in addition to the authority otherwise conferred by law upon such officers, be vested with the same authority and powers conferred by law upon regular law enforcement officers of this state while such wardens are acting within the course and scope of their duties on property subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, office of state parks.

C. State park wardens shall have specific authority and responsibility to enforce all rules and regulations of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, office of state parks, and all laws of the state of Louisiana, within the limits of their jurisdiction. State park wardens shall have the authority to enforce litter laws statewide and to issue citations for littering by mail or in person.

D. Duly commissioned state park wardens may carry concealed or exposed weapons while acting within the course and scope of their duties.

E. State park wardens shall successfully complete a basic certified training program approved by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training as provided by R.S. 40:2405 and shall fulfill all requirements for annual basic firearms training.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1; Acts 2016, No. 615, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2025, No. 67, §1, eff. June 4, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:412 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 412
Issuance and renewal of domesticated aquatic organism license
Status: in_force

A.(1) Every person desiring to engage in aquaculture shall first make application in writing to the department requesting a domesticated aquatic organism license.

(2) A domesticated aquatic organism license shall be valid for one year, beginning January first of each calendar year and expiring December thirty-first of the same calendar year. The license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and after November fourteenth for the immediately following license year. The cost of a domesticated aquatic organism license is twenty-five dollars for residents and five hundred dollars for nonresidents. A renewal notice shall be mailed to each licensee by the department prior to the license expiration dates explaining the renewal procedures. In addition to the general domestic aquatic organism license, the department may issue the following permits for particular aquaculture activity:

(a) Any required species specific culture permit shall cost one hundred dollars and all other species specific permits shall cost fifty dollars.

(b) Mariculture permits shall cost five hundred dollars annually. Mariculture permits shall be issued for the life of the project and shall be revoked upon failure to maintain the conditions of the permit, or upon lapse of the annual fee.

(3) The domesticated aquatic organism license shall authorize the bearer to transport domesticated aquatic organisms over the highways of this state. The licensee is responsible for all activities that take place under the authority of that license.

(4) Persons engaged in the business of aquaculture under this Subpart are excepted from the provisions of R.S. 56:306, and the notification provisions of R.S. 56:327(A)(2), and shall, by virtue of their license, be entitled to sell domesticated aquatic organisms in any size, quantity, or limit without restriction within the state or outside of the state. Creel limits shall not apply to shipments or transport of domesticated aquatic organisms under the provisions of this Subpart.

(5) No person engaged in the business of aquaculture nor any other person may use public bodies of water to propagate, raise, feed, or grow any species of fish with the exception of shellfish native or endemic to Louisiana or the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The use of cages, pens, and fenced-off portions of such water bodies for propagating, raising, or growing any species of fish is prohibited without a valid Mariculture or Alternative Oyster Culture permit issued by the department.

(6) Species of rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, crappie, and bream fingerlings not exceeding a maximum total length of six inches and spotted bass, striped bass, and largemouth bass of any size may be brought into the state by and from legal and certified out-of-state commercial fish hatcheries for sale to persons for stocking ponds and approved public waters located in Louisiana and may be sold by permitted residents in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection. Creel limits shall not apply to shipments of such game fish fingerlings.

(7) The department shall have the authority to cancel sales or to confiscate and destroy shipments of fish fingerlings that are determined by department personnel to have fish diseases or parasites that would endanger native fish populations.

(8) The department may issue permits to residents to authorize the raising of all types of bass, crappie, and bream in the state as specified in this Subpart for the purpose of selling to consumers in this state for stocking of private ponds and lakes and approved public waters and for the purpose of selling to consumers in other states. The manner of raising, harvesting, and selling these game fish shall be governed by administrative rules and regulations promulgated by the commission.

(9) With the exception of game fish, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to research or other projects being conducted by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center or by other schools or programs specifically authorized by the Board of Regents with the concurrence of the department, including but not limited to the sale or distribution of the research by-products, such as eggs, fingerlings, and fish, and other products grown under aquacultural conditions.

B. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.

Added by Acts 1964, No. 245, §1; Amended by Acts 1966, No. 242, §1; Acts 1970, No. 77, §1; Acts 1974, No. 223, §3; Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1986, No. 1008, §1; Acts 1987, No. 92, §2; Acts 1987, No. 534, §2; Acts 1987, No. 851, §2; Acts 1988, No. 778, §1; Acts 1990, No. 251, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 1237, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1022, §1; Acts 2008, No. 23, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2014, No. 286, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1237, §2, for exception of Atchafalaya Basin.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:313 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 313
Control of fisheries; duty of commission; duty of the department
Status: in_force

The exclusive control of the fish having a game or commercial value in the state is vested in the commission. The department shall enforce the provisions of law regulating them. All fish taken, possessed, or transported contrary to the provisions of this Subpart shall, when found, be confiscated by the department through its authorized agents.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 277, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:638.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 638.5
Fishery standards
Status: in_force

The commission shall adopt such rules and regulations consistent with the authority granted by this Chapter and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, for the harvesting, conservation, management, and sustainability of all species of fish, in accordance with the following standards:

(1) Conservation, management, and sustainability measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield while maintaining healthy, plentiful stocks. In fact, every effort will be made at all times to prevent a harvest from exceeding the safe upper limit of harvests which can be taken consistently year after year without diminishing the stocks so that the stock is truly inexhaustible and perpetually renewable.

(2) Conservation, management, and sustainability measures shall be based upon the best scientific, economic, biological, anthropological, and sociological information available.

(3) To the extent practicable, an individual stock or unit of fish shall be managed as a unit throughout its range within the state's jurisdictional authority and interrelated stocks of fish and other renewable fish resources shall be managed in close coordination while considering their supporting habitats.

(4) If it becomes necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among various fishermen, such allocations to the extent practicable shall be:

(a) Fair and equitable to all such fishermen.

(b) Reasonably calculated to promote conservation.

(c) Carried out in such a manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other legal entity acquires an excessive share of such privileges.

(d) In the best interest of the citizens of Louisiana.

(5) Conservation, management, and sustainability measures shall, where practicable, promote efficiency in the conservation, management, and sustainability of fish resources; except that no such measure shall have economic allocation as its sole purpose.

(6) Conservation, management, and sustainability measures shall, where practicable, minimize costs and avoid unnecessary duplication.

(7) Conservation, management, and sustainability measures may take into account and allow for variations among, and contingencies in, fisheries, resources, and catches.

Acts 1991, No. 708, §1; Acts 2014, No. 553, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:81 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 81
Additional compact amendments by signatory states
Status: in_force

It is agreed that any two or more states party hereto may further amend this compact by acts of their respective legislatures, subject to approval of Congress as provided in Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution of the United States, to designate the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission as a joint regulating authority for the joint regulation of specific fisheries affecting only such states as shall so compact, and at their joint expense. The representatives of such states shall constitute a separate section of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission for the exercise of the additional powers so granted, but the creation of such section does not deprive the state so compacting of any of their privileges or powers in the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission as constituted under the other articles of this compact.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1948.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1948.4
Regional development; legislative committee approval
Status: in_force

A. Any byway suggested to be included in the Louisiana Byways Program shall:

(1) Meet the criteria provided for in R.S. 56:1948.3. However, any district may develop additional criteria specific to its area to determine potential byway routes.

(2) Have approval of Louisiana Byways Commission within the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

(3) Have approval of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

(4) Have approval of the Department of Transportation and Development based upon the adequacy and safety of the proposed routes to meet the needs of the increased volume and variety of traffic on the byway.

B. After approval by the Louisiana Byways Commission, the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and the Department of Transportation and Development, a proposed byway shall be presented to the House and Senate Committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works by the recommending agent and shall be approved by a majority of the members of each committee prior to its inclusion in the Louisiana Byway Program.

C. The Department of Transportation and Development shall maintain and update, on a regular basis, a listing of the Louisiana Byways approved by the House and Senate Committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

Acts 1991, No. 588, §1; Acts 2003, No. 999, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:672 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 672
Reciprocal agreement; hunting license
Status: in_force

The commission may enter into reciprocal hunting license agreement with the authorities of any other state. Any reciprocal agreement shall become effective when ratified in writing both by the commission and the authorities of the reciprocating state and shall remain in effect until ninety days after it has been rescinded in writing by either the commission or the authorities of the reciprocating state.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 239, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:302.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 302.10
Sale of recreational catch
Status: in_force

A. No person shall sell or barter any fish that has been taken recreationally or under the authority of any type of recreational fishing license or with any recreational gear.

B. A violation of this Section shall constitute a class four violation. In addition to the penalties provided in R.S. 56:34, any person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be further penalized as follows:

(1) For the first violation, a person shall forfeit his fishing privileges and shall be barred from participating in any type of recreational fishing for a period of one year from the date of conviction.

(2) For the second violation, a person shall forfeit his fishing privileges and shall be barred from participating in any type of recreational fishing for a period of two years from the date of conviction.

(3) For the third violation, a person shall forfeit his fishing privileges and shall be forever barred from participating in any type of recreational fishing.

C. Any person who, after being barred, participates in a recreational fishing activity during a time of revocation shall be penalized under the provisions of R.S. 56:37(A)(2), upon conviction.

Acts 1995, No. 1316, §2; Acts 2003, No. 325, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:638.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 638.1
Fish conservation, management, and sustainability; legislative intent
Status: in_force

Recognizing that there are ever-increasing numbers of both sport and commercial fishermen utilizing the waters of the state for recreational and commercial pursuits resulting in conflicts over limited space and competition for the same fish, and acknowledging that both the sport and commercial fishing industries are vital to the economy of the coastal region and the entire state, the fishery standards for conservation, management, and sustainability of all species of fish are hereby declared to be fair and in the best interest of the state.

Acts 1991, No. 708, §1; Acts 2014, No. 553, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:431 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 431
Unlawful removal of oysters or signs from leased propagating grounds; instructions to captain and crew of vessels; penalty
Status: in_force

A. No person shall knowingly or willfully take, carry away, or attempt to take or carry away, without permission of the lessee, any oysters, shell, or cultch from the water bottoms of the Gulf of Mexico or the lakes, bays, inlets, lagoons, rivers, bayous, or other waters tributary thereto or connecting therewith, within the jurisdiction of the state where the bottoms are, at the time of such taking, let or leased to any person under the laws of Louisiana, for the purpose of bedding, planting, propagating, or cultivating oysters.

B. No person shall knowingly or willfully remove, break off, destroy, or otherwise injure or alter any stake, monument, bounds, buoy, sign, or other designation of bedding or propagating ground placed thereon by the lessee, or knowingly or willfully move from any bedding ground any stake, monument, bounds, buoy, sign, mark, or other designation placed thereon by the department or in accordance with its regulations or any Sections in this Subpart.

C. All owners or employers of vessels engaged in the oyster industry in this state shall issue typewritten instructions to the captains and crews in charge of the vessels, calling attention to the provisions of this Section. These instructions shall be duly executed before a competent notary by the parties interested, the original to be kept by the department and duplicate to be had in possession at all times by the captain of the vessel. This duplicate shall be shown on demand of any officer or agent of the department. Lack of possession of such document on a vessel, or a refusal to show the same, is prima facie evidence that the paper does not exist.

D.(1) Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class six violation. The imposition of these penalties does not bar the prosecution and conviction of the wrongdoer under the criminal statutes of this state.

(2)(a) In addition to all other penalties provided in this Section, upon conviction for the first violation of Subsection A of this Section, the oyster harvester's license under which the violation occurred shall be revoked by the department and no new such license shall be issued for one year from the date of the conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than forty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a first offense, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters only if that vessel is equipped with and is actively using a vessel monitoring system as prescribed in R.S. 56:424.1.

(b) Upon conviction for the second violation of Subsection A of this Section, the violator's oyster harvester license shall be revoked, and no new such license shall be issued for three years from the date of conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than ninety hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a second violation, the violator shall not be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters.

(c) Upon conviction for the third or subsequent violation of Subsection A of this Section, the violator's oyster harvester license shall be revoked, and no new such license shall be issued for ten years from the date of the third or subsequent conviction. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than one hundred twenty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served in a litter abatement community service program. During the period in which the violator is prohibited from possession of an oyster harvester license for a third or subsequent violation, the violator shall not be present on a vessel harvesting or processing oysters.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 120, §1; Acts 2015, No. 211, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:575 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 575
Rules, applications
Status: in_force

The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, which shall provide for a formula to determine the amount which each owner of a commercial fishing vessel shall receive to compensate for the increased costs of vessel fuel. Said formula shall take into consideration the amount of the fund for each fiscal year, the number of commercial vessels licensed by the department, the size of the vessel, the number of crew members employed on each vessel, and the average yearly catch per vessel. The regulations shall provide for the procedures to be used for application to the fund for assistance and the method of disbursement from the fund. These rules and regulations shall be subject to approval by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 834, §2; Acts 2008, No. 580, §7.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1850 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1850
Rules and regulations
Status: in_force

A. The administrator shall have the authority to regulate those activities that may directly and significantly degrade the ecological integrity of a natural and scenic river. The administrator shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the purposes and requirements of this Part and to regulate uses of a natural and scenic river which may detrimentally affect such natural and scenic river. Specifically, and not in limitation of the foregoing, such rules may regulate the following:

(1) Crossings by roads, railroads, pipelines, or utilities across any natural and scenic river.

(2) Sharing of land and air space by such roads, railroads, and utilities.

(3) Pollution of waters, with the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Quality.

(4) Prospecting, drilling, and mining for natural resources.

(5) Structures and buildings.

(6) Signs or other forms of outdoor advertising that are visible from waters within a natural and scenic river.

(7) Piers, boat slips, bulkheads, houseboats, and landings.

(8) Uses, activities, and access.

(9) Littering.

B. Permits granted for crossings by pipelines or utilities or the sharing of land or air space by such facilities shall be for the useful life of the facility.

Acts 1988, No. 947, §1, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 1997, No. 492, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1269, §1, eff. July 12, 1999.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2032 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2032
Exemption from taxation
Status: in_force

The district and all properties at any time owned by the district and the income therefrom and all bonds, certificates, and other evidences of indebtedness issued by the district under this Chapter and the interest or income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation by the state of Louisiana.

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1950.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1950.2
Route of the Louisiana Great River Road
Status: in_force

A. The west bank route of the Louisiana Great River Road, which is to be used as a route for the enjoyment of tourists, shall consist of:

(1) In East Carroll Parish, south on US Highway 65 from the Arkansas/Louisiana state line to the Madison Parish line.

(2) In Madison Parish, US Highway 65 south to the Tensas Parish line.

(3) In Tensas Parish, US Highway 65 south to the Concordia Parish line.

(4) In Concordia Parish, US Highway 65 south to Ferriday; LA 84 east from Ferriday to Vidalia; LA 131 south from Vidalia to LA 15; LA 15 south to Pointe Coupee Parish.

(5) In Pointe Coupee Parish, LA 15 south to LA 1; LA 1 south through New Roads to LA 416; LA 416 east to LA 415; LA 415 to West Baton Rouge Parish.

(6) In West Baton Rouge Parish, LA 415 becomes LA 986 to Port Allen; turn right on Rosedale Road, go two blocks and turn left on North Jefferson Street; proceed 11 blocks and turn left on Court Street; proceed four blocks to LA 986; proceed on LA 986 to Oaks Avenue; proceed on Oaks Avenue to Alexander Avenue; turn right, then left onto Avenue G; take Avenue G to LA 1; turn left on LA 1 to Beaulieu Lane, then Beaulieu Lane to LA 988; follow LA 988 through Brusly to Iberville Parish.

(7) In Iberville Parish, proceed on LA 988 to LA 1 in Plaquemine, heading south; turn left onto LA 75 and proceed to LA 405; take LA 405 through White Castle into Ascension Parish.

(8) In Ascension Parish, take LA 405 to LA 1 in Donaldsonville; proceed on LA 1 through Donaldsonville to LA 18; proceed on LA 18 into St. James Parish.

(9) In St. James Parish, proceed on LA 18 through Vacherie, passing under the Sunshine Bridge and into St. John Parish.

(10) In St. John Parish, proceed on LA 18 through Edgard and to St. Charles Parish.

(11) In St. Charles Parish, proceed on LA 18 through Hahnville, Luling, and Ama to Jefferson Parish.

(12) In Jefferson Parish, proceed on LA 18 through Waggaman to LA 541, continuing on LA 541 through Bridge City, passing under the US Highway 90 Mississippi River Bridge; continue on LA 541 through Marrero and Harvey, reconnecting to LA 18; proceed on LA 18 to LA 23 south to Plaquemines Parish.

(13) In Plaquemines Parish, proceed south on LA 23 to Belle Chasse, following LA 23 south to Venice.

B. The east bank route of the Louisiana Great River Road, which is to be used as a route for the enjoyment of tourists, shall consist of:

(1) In West Feliciana Parish, take LA 61 south through Laurel Hill, Wakefield, and St. Francisville to East Feliciana Parish.

(2) In East Feliciana Parish, take LA 61 south through Port Hudson to East Baton Rouge Parish.

(3) In East Baton Rouge Parish, proceed on US Highway 61 to Interstate 110 south through Baton Rouge, exiting at the Governors Mansion and Capitol Access Road; proceed to Capitol Lakes Avenue and turn left on Fifth Street; turn right onto Old Spanish Town Road; turn right onto North Third Street; turn left on Capitol Street Avenue, then left on River Road; proceed on River Road south to St. Phillip Street; turn right on St. Phillip Street and proceed to LA 30 and the LSU campus; at the football and baseball stadiums turn right on Skip Bertman Drive; proceed to River Road and turn left; follow River Road to Iberville Parish.

(4) In Iberville Parish, travel LA 327 south to LA 991; proceed on LA 991 to LA 75; proceed on LA 75 through Sunshine, St. Gabriel, and Carville to Ascension Parish.

(5) In Ascension Parish, proceed on LA 75 south through Geismar and Darrow where LA 75 turns into LA 942; proceed on LA 942 to Burnside where LA 942 turns into LA 44; continue on LA 44 south to St. James Parish.

(6) In St. James Parish, continue on LA 44 south under the Sunshine Bridge and through Union, Convent, and Gramercy, into St. John Parish.

(7) In St. John Parish, continue on LA 44 south past Veterans Memorial Bridge to Reserve and SR 636-3; proceed on SR 636-3 back to LA 44 through LaPlace to SR 628; continue on SR 628 through Gypsy to the St. Charles Parish line.

(8) In St. Charles Parish, continue on SR 628 through Montz to US Highway 61; proceed on US 61 across the Bonnet Carre Spillway to LA 48 at Norco; continue on LA 48 through New Sarpy, Destrehan, and St. Rose to the Jefferson Parish line.

(9) In Jefferson Parish, continue on LA 48 through Kenner and Harahan where LA 48 turns into Jefferson Highway; turn right on SR 3154, proceeding to Riverside Drive; take Riverside Drive under US Highway 90 Mississippi River Bridge into New Orleans and to the Orleans Parish line.

(10) In Orleans Parish, follow Riverside Drive through Tulane University to Magazine Street; take Magazine Street past the Audubon Zoo to Exposition Street; take Exposition Street to Tchoupitoulas Street; take Tchoupitoulas Street to Interstate 10 Mississippi River Bridge and cross the Mississippi River; take the Westbank Expressway west back into Jefferson Parish and exit LA 23 through Belle Chasse to the Plaquemines Parish line.

(11) In Plaquemines Parish, take LA 23 south through Belle Chasse to Venice.

Acts 2003, No. 969, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:315 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 315
Sanctuaries and propagating places; closed zones
Status: in_force

The commission may set aside of itself, or concurrently with any duly authorized parish game and fish commission, suitable locations in any of the waters of the state in whole or in part, and operate and maintain hatcheries, sanctuaries, and propagating places for the protection and propagation of fish for maintaining the supply in those waters and for restocking same. Such areas shall be designated as closed zones, and fishing shall be restricted in any manner deemed advisable by the commission. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the commission may purchase lands, build dams, expropriate property and do anything necessary to carry these provisions into effect.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:302.9.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 302.9.1
Charter boat license; skiff fee; charter fishing trip license
Status: in_force

A. For a charter fishing operation which does not have a charter boat fishing guide present, a charter boat license shall be required. Such license shall be for a charter fishing operation which consists of a large motorized vessel carrying small skiffs attached to it to be used by no more than two people for fishing purposes. The main motorized vessel shall be required to carry a charter boat license and proof of liability insurance, and the captain shall have a valid captain's license issued by the United States Coast Guard with the license on his person. For those vessels which carry up to six skiffs, the license fee shall be one thousand five hundred dollars per year. For those vessels which carry more than six skiffs, the license fee shall be three thousand dollars per year. No main motorized vessel licensed under the provisions of this Section shall enter any wildlife management area managed by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The liability insurance required by this Subsection shall meet the requirement of R.S. 56:302.9(A)(2).

B. In addition, each skiff shall be required to have a charter skiff license which identifies the charter vessel to which it is attached. A licensed skiff shall be used only for fishing purposes while the charter vessel with which it is identified is located in Louisiana's territorial waters. Each charter skiff license shall be issued for an annual cost of seventy-five dollars per skiff.

C. The charter boat license and charter skiff license shall be valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year.

D. Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

E. Any person fishing in or with a licensed charter skiff shall have in his possession a copy of the charter boat license, a copy of the charter skiff license, his charter fishing trip license, or an equivalent license that grants both basic and saltwater fishing privileges.

F. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries may develop and promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2001, No. 449, §1, eff. June18, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 463, §1, eff. June 20, 2003; Acts 2012, No. 844, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §§2, 5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:283 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 283
Cooperative agreements; cost-sharing
Status: in_force

A. The secretary may enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with coastal landowners who qualify to participate in the program, whereby the following economic incentives are paid to trappers who have agreed to trap nutria on land of the coastal landowners which is experiencing damage or loss of coastal wetlands because of overpopulation by nutria, all on the following cost sharing basis.

B. Each coastal landowner experiencing such nutria problems and desiring to participate in the program shall submit to the department such information as the department may require concerning nutria destruction on his land and shall provide such security as the secretary may require to insure payment by him to the trapper of his portion of the economic incentive provided in Subsection C of this Section.

C. The cooperative endeavor agreement shall provide for cost sharing in that there shall be an additional one dollar economic incentive paid to trappers under contract with qualifying coastal landowners per nutria with a pelt of marketable fur trapped and sold from those lands of the coastal landowner which are experiencing damage or loss because of nutria overpopulation, as determined by the secretary. The state, on a one to one match, shall pay fifty cents of the one dollar incentive per nutria trapped and sold, and the coastal landowner shall pay the remaining fifty cents, directly to the trapper for trapping services. The agreements shall provide that this cost-sharing program shall remain in effect and payments thereunder shall be made only as long as the average market price which the secretary determines will be paid to the trapper does not exceed four dollars per nutria pelt.

Acts 1990, No. 552, §1, eff. July 1, 1990.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:639.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 639.9
Permitting for the construction and management of artificial reefs
Status: in_force

A. The state of Louisiana is empowered to serve as permittee for artificial reefs in waters covered under this Subpart, provided such reefs are consistent with and established within the guidelines of this Subpart and the National Fishing Enhancement Act. The secretary is hereby empowered to administer and enforce the program for the state of Louisiana.

B. In acquiring necessary federal permits for artificial reefs, the secretary or his designee shall:

(1) Consult with and consider the views of appropriate federal agencies, state, and local governments, and other interested parties.

(2) Ensure that the provisions for siting, constructing, monitoring, maintaining, and managing any artificial reef developed pursuant to this Subpart be consistent with the criteria and standards established under this Subpart and the National Fishing Enhancement Act.

(3) Ensure that title to any artificial reef component or construction material is unambiguous.

(4) Consider the National Artificial Reef Plan developed under Section 204 of the National Fishing Enhancement Act, and notify the secretary of the United States Department of Commerce of any need to deviate from that plan. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in consultation with the other members of the council, shall also review and comment on other artificial reef permit applications to insure that artificial reef permits sought by groups other than Louisiana are consistent with the state plan developed under this Subpart and the National Fishing Enhancement Act.

Acts 1986, No. 100, §1, eff. June 23, 1986.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:301.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 301.10
Louisiana Finfish Task Force
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established the Louisiana Finfish Task Force to study and monitor the finfish industry and to make recommendations to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and other state agencies for the maximization of benefit from that industry for the state of Louisiana and its citizens.

B. The task force shall be composed as follows:

(1) The governor or his designee.

(2) Three members appointed by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as follows:

(a) One member who is a fisheries biologist.

(b) One member who is an enforcement agent.

(c) One member who is an economist.

(3) The commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry or his designee.

(4) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(5) Three members and three alternate members appointed by the governor each of whom shall possess a commercial fisherman's license with a "certified" endorsement pursuant to R.S. 56:303(E), with three to be selected from a list of six nominees submitted by the Louisiana Shrimp Association and three to be selected from a list of six nominees submitted by the Delta Commercial Fisheries Association.

(6) One member appointed by the governor who is an active Louisiana dock buyer of finfish.

(7) Three members and three alternate members appointed by the governor each of whom shall possess recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses, with four to be selected from a list of eight nominees submitted by the Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana and two to be selected from a list of four nominees submitted by the Louisiana Chapter of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.).

(8) One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.

(9) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

(10) One member appointed by the governor to be selected from a list of two nominees submitted by the Louisiana Charter Boat Association.

(11) One member appointed by the governor to be selected from a list of two nominees submitted by the Women's Southern Fisheries Alliance.

C. The members appointed pursuant to the provisions of Paragraphs (B)(l) through (4) of this Section shall be nonvoting members. In addition, they shall not be considered members of the task force for determination of the number of members necessary for a quorum and for establishing the presence of a quorum.

D. The task force shall adopt bylaws under which it shall operate, and five voting members of the task force shall constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the task force. The governor shall appoint the chairman of the task force for a period of one year, and thereafter the task force shall elect a chairman from its membership and may seek and receive assistance from universities within the state in the development of methods to increase production and marketability of finfish. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation; however, the task force may receive the same reimbursement of travel expenses for attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees' travel, except all legislative members of the commission shall receive the same per diem and travel allowance for attending meetings of the task force or any meeting thereof as is normally provided for members of the legislature.

E. The task force is hereby charged with responsibility to do the following:

(1) Coordinate efforts to increase finfish production and marketability.

(2) Provide for the study of the decline in finfish marketability and market price, provide for the study of the impacts of imported finfish on the domestic market, assist in the development of a state finfish inspection program, assist in the development of a Louisiana finfish certification and branding program, and make recommendations to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Louisiana Department of Health for implementation of policies to help enhance the domestic finfish industry.

(3) Make recommendations with respect to issues pertaining to the finfish industry and finfish production to the various state agencies charged with responsibility for differing elements of the finfish industry in this state, including the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the legislature.

(4) Develop markets and marketing strategies for the development and expansion of markets for finfish harvested from Louisiana waters.

(5) Represent the interests of the Louisiana finfish industry before federal and state administrative and legislative bodies on issues of importance to the Louisiana finfish industry.

(6) Contract for legal services to represent the interests of the Louisiana finfish industry in judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings.

(7) Perform any acts deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

Acts 2014, No. 208, §2; Acts 2016, No. 430, §7; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 442, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:658 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 658
License periods
Status: in_force

The licenses herein provided for shall be issued annually and shall be effective from July 1st of each calendar year through June 30th of the next calendar year.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 455, §8.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1921 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1921
Findings, policy, and purposes
Status: in_force

The Legislature of Louisiana finds that Louisiana is endowed with a diversity of natural areas having unique ecological systems, plant and animal life, geological formations, wildlife habitats, and scenic beauty that are not found in other parts of the United States. It is hereby declared and established as the policy of Louisiana and the purpose of this Part that these natural areas be conserved, protected and enhanced for the benefit of our citizens and future generations. In furtherance of this policy and to implement the provisions of Article IX, Section 1 of the Louisiana Constitution, there is hereby established the Wildlife Habitat and Natural Heritage Trust for the purpose of acquiring and properly managing such natural areas in Louisiana.

Acts 1988, No. 492, §1, eff. July 9, 1988.