Table of Contents Title 76 wildlife and fisheries

§337. Taking and Possession of Jewfish and Nassau Grouper Prohibited

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the taking and possession of jewfish (Epinephelus itajara) and Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) from within or without Louisiana waters.

B. No person shall take, transport or possess within the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana jewfish (Epinephelus itajara) and Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:325.1 and R.S. 56:326.3.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 16:1070 (December 1990), amended LR 19:1442 (November 1993), LR 26:1505 (July 2000).

§339. Free Recreational Fishing Days

A. In accordance with Act 301 of the 1987 Louisiana Legislature, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has declared the weekend of the first full week of June each year as Free Recreational Fishing Days in Louisiana to coincide with National Fishing Week each year. On the two above mentioned free fishing days, residents and nonresidents may exercise the privilege of a licensed recreational fisherman without purchase of any otherwise necessary recreational fishing license.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:302.7.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:389 (April 1991).

§341. Spotted Seatrout Management Measures

A. Commercial Season; Quota; Permits

1. The commercial season for spotted seatrout whether taken from within or without Louisiana state waters shall remain closed until January 2 of each year, when it shall open and remain open until the maximum annual quota is reached, or on the date projected by the staff of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that the quota will be reached, whichever comes first. The commercial harvest or taking of spotted seatrout is prohibited during the period from sunset on Friday through sunrise on Monday, and there shall be no possession of spotted seatrout in excess of the recreational limit during the period between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

2. The commercial quota for spotted seatrout shall be 1,000,000 pounds for each fishing season.

3. Permits

a. The commercial taking of spotted seatrout is prohibited except by special nontransferable Spotted Seatrout Permit issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at the cost of $100 for residents of this state and $400 for those who are nonresidents. This permit, along with other applicable licenses, authorizes the bearer to sell his spotted seatrout catch.

b. No person shall be issued a license or permit for the commercial taking of spotted seatrout unless that person meets all of the following requirements.

i. The person shall provide proof that he purchased a valid Louisiana commercial saltwater gill net license in any two of the years 1995, 1994, and 1993.

ii. The person shall show that he derived more than 50 percent of his earned income from the legal capture and sale of seafood species in any two of the years 1995, 1994, and 1993. Proof of such income shall be provided by the applicant using any of the methods listed below.

(a). Method 1. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a copy of his federal income tax return including all attachments (i.e., Schedule C of federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.), which has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

(b). Method 2. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a copy of his federal income tax return including all attachments (i.e., Schedule C of federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.), which has been filed and stamped "received" at a local IRS office accompanied by a signed cover letter acknowledging receipt by the IRS.

(c). Method 3. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a signed copy of his federal tax return including all attachments (i.e., Schedule C of federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.) along with an IRS stamped transcript and IRS signed cover letter. Transcripts are available at local IRS offices.

iii. The Socioeconomic Section of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Office of Management and Finance, will review the submitted tax return information and determine applicant's eligibility as defined by R.S. 56:325.3 D(1)(b).

iv. The person shall not have applied for or received any assistance pursuant to R.S. 56:13.1(C).

v. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any fishery-related violations that constitute a Class 3 or greater violation.

c. No person shall receive more than one permit or license to commercially take spotted seatrout.

d. No person shall qualify for a charter boat fishing guide license and a spotted seatrout permit during the same licensure period.

4. The commercial taking or commercial harvesting of spotted seatrout shall be prohibited within Louisiana waters west of the Mermentau River.

B. General Provisions. The commercial closure shall apply to spotted seatrout taken, landed or possessed on the water whether taken from within or without Louisiana waters. Effective with the closure, no person shall commercially harvest, take, land or possess spotted seatrout in excess of a recreational limit in Louisiana. Effective with the commercial closure no person shall sell, barter, trade, exchange, purchase or attempt to sell, barter, trade, exchange or purchase spotted seatrout. Nothing herein shall prohibit the purchase, sale, barter or exchange of spotted seatrout off the water by licensed commercial dealers taken during any open period or which are legally imported into the state if appropriate records are properly maintained in accordance with R.S. 56:306.5 and R.S. 56:306.6 and those that are required to do so shall be properly licensed in accordance with R.S. 56:303, 56:306 or 56:306.1.

C. Recreational Regulations. Within those areas of the state, including coastal territorial waters, south of Interstate 10 from its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, and then south to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove, and then due south to the western shore of the Mermentau River, following this shoreline south to the junction with the Gulf of Mexico, and then due south to the limit of the state territorial sea, under the authority of the provisions of R.S. 56:325.1(A), the daily take and possession limit shall be 15 fish, regardless of where taken, with no more than 2 spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches total length. Those spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches in length shall be considered as part of the daily recreational take and possession limit.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act Number 157 of the 1991 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, R.S.56:6(25)(a); R.S. 56:306.5, R.S. 56:306.6, 56:325.1(A) and (B); R.S. 56:325.3; R.S. 56:326.3; Act 1316 of the 1995 Regular Legislative Session; and Act 1164 of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 18:199 (February 1992), amended LR 22:238 (March 1996), LR 24:360 (February 1998), LR 26:2333 (October 2000), LR 30:1509 (July 2004), LR 30:2498 (November 2004), repromulgated LR 32:125 (January 2006), amended LR 32:1071 (June 2006), LR 37:355 (January 2011).

§343. Rules for Harvest of Mullet

A. Seasons

1. The season for the commercial taking of mullet with a mullet strike net shall begin at sunrise of the third Monday in October of each year and close at sunset of the third Monday in January of the following year. Mullet may not be taken commercially with a mullet strike net at any time outside of this season.

2. Mullet may be taken for live bait purposes with a commercial cast net of no more than 12 feet in radius, operated manually, during any season.

3. Commercial harvest of mullet shall not be allowed during the period from 5 a.m. on Saturday through 6 p.m. on Sunday. There shall be no commercial taking of mullet during the period after sunset and before sunrise.

B. Commercial Taking

1. Mullet may be taken commercially with a mullet strike net, which may not be constructed of monofilament. The commercial taking of mullet by using a mullet strike net in excess of 1,200 feet or by using more than one mullet strike net from any vessel at any time is prohibited.

2. Each mullet strike net shall have attached to it a tag issued by the department which states the name, address, and Social Security number of the owner of the net and the permit number of the permit issued to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net. The department shall not issue any tag to a person who does not have a Social Security number.

3. Live mullet for bait purposes may be taken commercially with a cast net that shall not exceed 12 feet in radius and shall only be operated manually such that no mechanical device is used to hold open the cast net nor propel or deploy the cast net.

4. Any person commercially taking live mullet for bait purposes with a cast net must have a valid cast net gear license issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for each cast net within their possession while taking live mullet for bait purposes along with other applicable licenses.

C. Commercial Limits. During the season, there shall be no daily take or possession limit for the commercial harvest of mullet by properly licensed and permitted fishermen.

D. Recreational Limits. The daily take and possession limit for recreational harvest of mullet shall be 100 pounds per person per day.

E. Permits

1. The commercial taking of mullet with a mullet strike net is prohibited except by special permit issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at the cost of $100 for residents of this state and $400 for those who are nonresidents. This permit, along with other applicable licenses, authorizes the bearer to sell his mullet catch.

2. No person shall be issued a license or permit for the commercial taking of mullet with a mullet strike net unless that person meets all of the following requirements.

a. The person shall provide proof that he purchased a valid Louisiana commercial saltwater gill net license in any two of the years 1995, 1994, and 1993.

b. The person shall show that he derived more than 50 percent of his earned income from the legal capture and sale of seafood species in any two of the years 1995, 1994, and 1993. Proof of such income shall be provided by the applicant, using any of the methods listed below.

i. Method 1. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a copy of his federal income tax return, including all attachments (e.g., Schedule C of Federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.), which has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

ii. Method 2. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a copy of his federal income tax return, including all attachments (e.g., Schedule C of Federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.), which has been filed and stamped "received" at a local IRS office, accompanied by a signed cover letter acknowledging receipt by the IRS.

iii. Method 3. Applicant shall submit to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Licensing Section) a signed copy of his federal tax return, including all attachments (e.g., Schedule C of Federal Form 1040, Form W-2, etc.) along with an IRS-stamped transcript and IRS-signed cover letter. Transcripts are available at local IRS offices.

c. The Socioeconomic Section of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Office of Management and Finance will review the submitted tax return information and determine applicant's eligibility as defined by R.S. 56:333(D)(1)(b).

d. The person shall not have applied for or received any assistance pursuant to R.S. 56:13.1(C).

3. No person shall receive more than one permit or license to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net.

4. Notwithstanding LAC 76:VII.343.E.2, the department, upon application from an individual who is currently permitted to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net, may transfer a valid mullet permit under the following requirements and conditions.

a. The transferee must possess and provide the department his/her Social Security number.

b. The transferee must possess a valid commercial fishing license and shall provide proof that he derived more than 50 percent of his earned income from the legal capture and sale of seafood species in the calendar year immediately prior to the year of application. Proof shall be for the tax year immediately prior to the application for transfer, and shall be in the form of an IRS transcript stamped by the local office, plus a copy of the applicant's personal file copy of his or her completed tax return for that year including all schedules and Form W-2s.

c. The transferee shall not currently possess a mullet permit to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net nor have been permanently barred from the mullet fishery.

d. The transferor and the transferee each must certify that there shall be no financial gain realized for the transfer of such license or permit in accordance with department guidelines.

e. Any mullet permit found to have been transferred for financial gain shall be rendered void, shall immediately be surrendered to the department, and shall not be reissued.

5. In the case of a proven physical hardship, the department, upon written request from an individual who is currently permitted to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net, may transfer a valid mullet permit into the name of the spouse, parent/legal guardian, or child/legal dependent of such person under the following requirements and conditions.

a. A mullet permit holder shall make a written request that includes the name, address and Social Security number of both the permit holder and the person to whom the license is requested to be transferred and shall set forth in detail the reasons justifying the request.

b. The mullet permit holder must present documentation sufficient to prove relationship as being the spouse, parent/legal guardian, or child/legal dependent, between the permit holder and the person to whom the permit is to be transferred. Examples of documents tending to establish such proof would include marriage license, birth certificate and/or judgment of legal guardianship.

c. The mullet permit holder must provide a signed statement from the treating physician setting forth the specific nature and extent of the disability together with a statement that the condition prevents participation in commercial fishing activities.

6. Any person commercially taking live mullet for bait purposes must possess a valid commercial fishing license issued by the department as well as all other applicable licenses.

F. A valid mullet permit to commercially take mullet with a strike net may only be transferred from a mullet permit holder who has no pending mullet charges for violating any provisions of R.S. 56:333 or any commission rule or regulation adopted pursuant to R.S. 56:333 after August 15, 2001. The provisions of R.S. 56:333.F shall apply to permit transfer recipients. Permits under suspension or revocation shall not be transferable during any suspension or revocation period.

G. Any person who transfers a mullet permit shall be precluded thereafter from obtaining a mullet permit to commercially take mullet with a mullet strike net whether by transfer or other method.

H. General Provisions. Effective with the closure of the commercial season for the taking of mullet with a mullet strike net, there shall be a prohibition of the commercial take from Louisiana waters, and the possession of mullet on the waters of the state with commercial gear in possession except when commercially taking live mullet for bait purposes as provided for in this rule. Nothing shall prohibit the possession, sale, barter or exchange off the water of mullet legally taken during any open period provided that those who are required to do so shall maintain appropriate records in accordance with R.S. 56:306.4 and R.S. 56:345 and be properly licensed in accordance with R.S. 56:303 or R.S. 56:306.

I. In addition, all provisions of R.S. 56:333(C) are hereby adopted and incorporated into this Rule.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:6(25)(a), R.S. 56:325.1, R.S. 56:333 and Act 1316 of the 1995 Regular Legislative Session, R.S. 56:333.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 18:1420 (December 1992), amended LR 21:37 (January 1995), LR 22:236 (March 1996), LR 24:359 (February 1998), LR 26:2332 (October 2000), LR 28:1032 (May 2002), LR 37:3538 (December 2011).

§345. Crab Trap Marking

A. Each crab trap shall be marked with a 1/2-inch stainless steel self-locking tag attached to the center of the trap ceiling, or a durable plastic bait-box cover. Said tags shall be supplied by the fishermen and shall have the commercial fisherman's license number (not the commercial gear license) or the recreational crab trap gear license number legibly embossed or engraved thereon.

B. For the purposes of R.S. 56:8(28.1) which specifies that a serviceable trap must be "legally marked with a float," each trap shall be attached by a 1/4-inch minimum diameter, non-floating line to a solid float 6 inches minimum diameter, or equivalent. Crab traps attached to a trotline must also have such a float and line attached to at least one end. For the purposes of R.S. 56:332.G, a common float is defined as a 1 gallon or larger all-white plastic bleach bottle.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:8(28.1), R.S. 56:332.D and R.S. 56:332.G.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 18:199 (February 1992), amended LR 26:513 (March 2000).

§346. Blue Crab Seasonal Closure and Restriction of Immature Female Harvest

A. The commercial harvest of blue crabs and the use of all crab traps are prohibited for a 30-day period beginning on the third Monday in February for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. All crab traps remaining in state waters during the closure period shall be presumed to be engaged in active fishing and thus considered illegal.

B. There shall be no commercial harvest of immature female blue crabs for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 except:

1. when an immature female is in the premolt stage and is being held for processing as soft crabs; or

2. sold to a processor for the making of soft crabs.

C. Obvious signs such crabs are in premolt stage shall include they are no further from molting than having a white line on the back paddle fin, which is recognized by the crab industry as a premolt stage.

D. However, a legally licensed commercial crab fisherman may have in his possession an incidental take of immature female crabs in an amount not to exceed 2 percent of the total number of crabs in his possession.

1. To determine whether the total number of crabs in possession violates this Subsection, the enforcement agent shall take:

a. a random sample of 50 crabs from each crate; or

b. group of crabs equivalent to one crate.

2. If more than 2 percent of the crabs in that 50-crab random sample are immature female crabs, the entire number of crabs in that crate or group of crabs equivalent to one crate shall be considered to be in violation.

E. Crabs in a work box, defined as a standard crab crate as used by a commercial crab fisherman aboard the vessel to sort or cull undersized crabs and/or immature female crabs from the harvest in order to obtain a legal catch, shall not be subject to the immature female restriction while held aboard the vessel and the fisherman is actively fishing.

1. Commercial crab fishermen shall be allowed to have in possession aboard the vessel either:

a. one work box, if not using a grader; or

b. two work boxes under the grader, if using a grader.

F. An immature female crab, also known as a “maiden” or “V-bottom” crab, can be identified as having a triangular shaped apron on her abdomen. A mature female crab can be identified as having a dome shaped apron on her abdomen.

G. Violation of any provision of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:6(25)(a), 56:8, 56:32, 56:56(A)(5), 56:320(B)(3), 56:326(A)(2), 56:315, 56:332(E)(1) and 56:355.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission LR 42:1962 (November 2016).

§347. Louisiana Fisheries Forward Program

A. The following defines the requirements necessary to complete the program to increase and elevate professionalism in the commercial crab industry pursuant to R.S. 56:305.6. This program shall hereafter be referred to as the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Program.

B. For the purposes of this Section, the following will be defined as:

Applicantlicensed commercial fishermen attempting to obtain a commercial crab trap gear license through the program;

Mentora person holding a valid commercial crab trap gear license who mentors an apprentice in completing the apprenticeship path;

Sponsora person holding a valid commercial crab trap gear license who sponsors an apprentice in completing sponsorship path.

C. Policy

1. Applicants that do not qualify for a commercial crab trap gear license under provisions defined in R.S. 56:305.6 shall fulfill all the basic requirements and complete one of two field-training paths; the apprenticeship path, or the sponsorship path, to complete the program, and receive a crab trap gear license.

2. Before beginning a training path, an applicant must possess a valid Louisiana commercial fisherman’s license and submit an application including copies of the applicant and mentor/sponsor’s state issue identification to the department for approval. The license number will be used to track participation in the program.

3. The basic requirements and chosen training path shall be completed within one consecutive 12-month period.

4. Applicants who wish to change their mentor or sponsor during the process shall submit a new application containing the new mentor’s or sponsor’s information along with a written explanation for the change. Applicants shall not lose credit for hours or trips logged under the previous mentor or sponsor provided they are verified pursuant to Paragraphs F.3 and G.3 of this Section.

D. Eligibility

1. Any person who has been convicted of a class 3 or greater fisheries violation in the last five years shall not be eligible to participate as an applicant, mentor, or sponsor.

2. Any person choosing to participate as a mentor shall possess a valid commercial crab trap gear license and have documented a minimum of six trip tickets showing sales of crabs caught in Louisiana in any two of the previous four years.

3. Any person choosing to participate as a sponsor shall possess a valid commercial crab trap gear license and have documented a minimum of six trip tickets showing sales of crabs caught in Louisiana waters in any two of the previous four years.

E. Basic Requirements

1. Each applicant must successfully complete an NASBLA-approved boating safety class as required by R.S. 34:851.36.

2. Each applicant must complete and receive a certificate in the following Louisiana fisheries forward online courses. The applicant will be required to view 100 percent of the content and score a minimum of 80 percent in order to receive a certificate.

a. Course providing a detailed overview of state and federal statutes governing legal harvest of major seafood commodities, including but not limited to, licensing and permitting, harvest regulations, reporting requirements, and responsible and safe fishing.

b. Course covering the legalities and best management practices of crab fishing, including but not limited to, licensing and permitting requirements, crab harvest regulations, reporting requirements, best handling practices, responsible fishing, and vessel operation.

c. Course covering fundamental financial concepts targeted to Louisiana’s commercial fishing industry, including but not limited to, budgeting, cash flow, taxes, insurance, loans, grants, and business plans.

d. Course covering the fundamental concepts for producing high quality seafood, including but not limited to, quality loss, temperature control, icing, chilling, freezing, and proper handling and storage.

F. Apprenticeship Path

1. To initiate the apprenticeship training path the applicant and applicant’s mentor must complete and submit an application to the department. The application shall state the intent to participate in apprenticeship training and include the last four digits of the Social Security number, name and address, commercial fishing license number and photocopies of the state-issued photo identification of both the applicant and the applicant’s mentor. Additionally, the mentor’s valid commercial crab trap gear license number must be provided.

2. The applicant shall complete a minimum of 200 hours of apprenticeship training related to crab fishing under supervision of the applicant’s designated mentor. Training hours shall be recorded daily on training log forms provided by the department. Copies of the training logs shall be submitted to the department on a quarterly basis. A minimum of 100 hours of training shall be performed and logged on days when the applicant’s mentor has harvested and reported trip ticket sales of crabs. Any previous work or training experience in the crab fishery conducted prior to the date of approval of the apprenticeship by the department shall not count toward the applicant’s total required hours.

3. Upon completion, the applicant and mentor must complete and submit a notarized affidavit signed by both the applicant and the mentor and include the original signed training log forms along with copies of the trip tickets evidencing harvesting hours. The affidavit shall be provided by the department and indicate the completion of the apprenticeship, affirm the accuracy of the associated log forms and corresponding trip tickets, and include the name, address, and commercial fishing license of both the applicant and the mentor.

G. Sponsorship Path

1. To initiate the sponsorship training path the applicant and applicant’s sponsor must complete and submit an application to the department. The application shall state the intent to participate in sponsorship training and include the last four digits of the Social Security number, name and address, commercial fishing license number and photocopies of state issued photo identification of both the applicant and the applicant’s sponsor. Additionally, the sponsor’s valid commercial crab trap gear license number must be provided.

2. The department shall issue a special crab trap permit allowing the applicant to actively fish crabs under the sponsor’s crab trap gear license and report trip ticket sales of crabs using the applicant’s name and commercial fisherman’s license number. This permit shall only be issued once and shall only be valid for the duration of the sponsorship. The applicant must complete a minimum of 20 crab fishing trips evidenced by trip tickets. Any trips or landings conducted prior to the date the sponsorship is initiated shall not count toward the applicant’s total required crab fishing trips.

3. Upon completion, the applicant and sponsor must complete and submit a notarized affidavit signed by both the applicant and the sponsor and include copies of the trip tickets used to evidence the required crab fishing trips. The affidavit shall be provided by the department and indicate the completion of the sponsorship, affirm the accuracy of the associated trip tickets, and include the name, address, and commercial fishing license of both the applicant and the sponsor.

H. Optional Training

1. Applicants may substitute attendance at certain department approved meetings or educational events for required apprenticeship hours and sponsorship trips. Eligible meetings and events include, Louisiana crab task force meetings, crab dock days, and annual Louisiana fisheries summits. Additional meetings and events may be deemed eligible by the department.

a. Each hour of meeting attendance shall substitute for one hour of the apprenticeship requirement. Every 10 hours of meeting attendance shall substitute for one fishing trip of the sponsorship requirement.

b. A maximum 50 hours of meeting attendance may be substituted for the apprenticeship requirements, or a maximum 5 fishing trips may be substituted for the sponsorship requirements. Attendance at meetings or educational events shall be documented by a designated department employee or agent. The applicant shall sign in upon arrival, present a valid photo ID and provide their commercial license number. Upon departure, the applicant shall sign out.

2. Attendance at meetings or educational events shall be documented by a designated department employee or agent. The applicant shall sign in upon arrival, present a photo ID and provide their commercial license number. Upon departure, the applicant shall sign out.

a. Applicants who sign in prior to the start of an event and sign out after the conclusion of an event shall receive substitution credit hours equal only to the length of the event. Applicants shall not receive extra credit hours for arriving early or staying late at an event.

b. Applicants who fail to sign out shall not receive credit hours for attending an event.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:305.6.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 41:956 (May 2015).