Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

Saltwater Fishing
der of the shark to the sea, is prohibited
within and without Louisiana waters.
Notwithstanding other provisions of
this part, a person may fish for, but not
retain, white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
with rod and reel only under a
catch and release program, provided
the person releases and returns such
fish to the sea immediately with a
minimum of injury.
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Swordfish: Recreational fishing vessels
shall not possess more than four
swordfish per vessel per trip. Swordfish
taken under a recreational bag limit
shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged,
bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased,
exchanged or bartered. No person
aboard any vessel shall transfer or
cause the transfer of swordfish between
vessels on state or federal waters.
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Tuna: Person subject to the jurisdiction
of the state, fishing for tunas
within or without Louisiana state
waters, are subject to both state and
federal laws, rules and regulations.
Federal regulations on recreational
harvest of tunas change often, especially
for bluefin tuna. Prior to harvest
of tuna, be aware of the most
current federal regulations on harvest,
including sizes, bag limits and closed
seasons. The “Atlantic Tunas
Regulations Brochure” is available at
http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/library.
asp and announcements of changes
may be accessed via the web at http://
hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
All bluefin tuna must be reported
within 24 hours of landing to NMFS
by calling 888-872-8862 or visiting
www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For further
information regarding angling
category permits please call the
NMFS HMS Division at 888-872-
8862.
Permanent Louisiana regulations
on tuna harvest may be superseded by
seasonal changes within the federal
regulatory system. See websites referenced
above for current federal regulations.
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Grouper: NOTE: A closed season
has been established for recreational
harvest of gag, black and red grouper,
effective Feb. 15 - March 14 of each
year in Louisiana state waters. As of
the publication date of this pamphlet,
modified rules on bag limits were
being considered. Please refer to the
LDWF website for current information:
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/seasons
and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/regulations.
Other seasons and rules are currently
in place in Federal waters off of
Louisiana. Please check those rules at
http://www.gulfcouncil.org/ under
“Fishing Regulations.”
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No harvest of red snapper, greater
amberjack or grouper of any species is
allowed for the captain and crew of
vessel, under charter (their creel limit
is zero).
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Snapper, Red: A federal recreational
quota for red snapper is in
effect. The recreational season for
harvest of red snapper is scheduled to
open June 1.For red snapper season
information check the LDWF website
at:
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/seasons
and
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/recreational/saltwater/regulations.
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LDWF (Mike Harbison)
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