§499. Trawls, butterfly, and skimmer nets, and cast nets; size of mesh; length; diameter of butterfly and skimmer nets extensions; prohibited devices

A. Saltwater shrimp may be taken by means of trawls, butterfly nets, skimmer nets, or cast nets and by no other means except as provided in R.S. 56:497(B) and R.S. 56:571.

B.(1) No person shall take saltwater shrimp with any trawl, skimmer net, or butterfly net with a mesh size less than five-eighths of an inch square or one and one-fourth of an inch stretched. No trawl, skimmer net, or butterfly net may be used in closed waters.

(2) No person shall use a double butterfly net having an individual net frame more than twelve feet measured horizontally or vertically, whichever distance is greater, each or a single stationary butterfly net having an individual net frame greater than twenty-two feet measured horizontally or vertically, whichever distance is greater, except that persons on a vessel may use a double butterfly net having individual net frames of not more than sixteen feet measured horizontally or twelve feet measured vertically, each. A butterfly net may be mounted no more than twenty-four inches from the side of the vessel. Operation of butterfly nets shall in no way impede or restrict normal navigation.

(3) No person shall use a double skimmer net with an opening measuring more than seventy-two feet in circumference for each net and a lead line greater than thirty-three feet. No person shall tie individual skimmer nets together to exceed the specifications contained in this Paragraph or use any trawl in conjunction with a butterfly or skimmer. No person shall use a double skimmer net where the horizontal net frame extends more than twenty feet from the gunwale of the vessel. Operation of skimmer nets shall in no way impede or restrict normal navigation.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection to the contrary, no person shall take saltwater shrimp with a trawl, skimmer net, or butterfly net with a mesh size of less than five-eighths of an inch square or one and one-fourth of an inch stretched in inside waters during the fall inshore shrimp season, except in that portion of the state's inside waters from the Atchafalaya River west to the western shore of Vermilion Bay and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island, mesh size no less than three-quarters of an inch square or one and one-half of an inch stretched may be used in inside waters during the fall inshore shrimp season.

C. No person shall use sweeper devices, leads, extensions, wings, or other attachments in conjunction with or attached to butterfly nets.

D.(1)(a) No person may operate a stationary shrimp net within one thousand feet upstream from another stationary shrimp net that is attached or moored to a wharf or platform that has been permitted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

(b) However, if two permitted wharves or platforms are located within one thousand feet of each other, the owner of the upstream wharf or platform may attach a stationary shrimp net thereto if any one of the following applies:

(i) His permit from the corps of engineers was issued prior to the effective date of this Section.

(ii) His permit from the corps of engineers was issued prior to the permit for the downstream wharf or platform.

(iii) The owner of the downstream wharf or platform does not operate a stationary shrimp net.

(2) For purposes of this Subsection, stationary shrimp net means any net for taking shrimp, including a butterfly or skimmer net, that is attached to the water bottom, bank, or a fixed structure.

(3) A violation of this Subsection shall be a class one violation.

Acts 1985, No. 908, §1; Acts 1986, No. 904, §2; Acts 1989, No. 490, §1; Acts 1991, No. 931, §1; Acts 1993, No. 69, §1; Acts 1993, No. 263, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 919, §1; Acts 2001, No. 87, §1; Acts 2003, No. 269, §1; Acts 2004, No. 879, §1; Acts 2014, No. 14, §1.