§498.  Size limit

A.  During the spring open season defined in R.S. 56:497(A), there shall be no limitation as to count on any saltwater shrimp taken or held in possession.  

B.(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the possession count on saltwater white shrimp for each cargo lot shall average no more than one hundred whole specimens to the pound.  This possession count shall be determined by counting the number of shrimp contained in two random separate three-pound samples taken from each cargo lot of shrimp.  The first sample shall be taken and counted by an agent of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the second sample shall be taken and counted by the fisherman.  The average number of specimens from the combination of these two samples shall be used to determine the count per pound.  A "cargo lot" as used herein shall mean a container, basket, box, chest, bin, hole, or storage compartment in which shrimp are kept for transport.  However, during the time period from October fifteenth through the third Monday in December, there shall be no possession count on saltwater white shrimp taken or possessed.  Such count shall apply to the taking or possession of such shrimp aboard a vessel, except for shrimp that are documented as having been legally taken in other states or countries and imported into this state.  

(2)  When more than fifty percent by weight of the saltwater shrimp taken or possessed is sea bobs or brown shrimp, then the maximum allowable amount of undersized white shrimp taken or possessed shall not exceed ten percent by weight of the total saltwater shrimp taken or possessed.  

C.  The restriction as to count provided in R.S. 56:498(B)(1) shall not apply to "sea bobs" (Xiphopeneus Kroyeri), also called "six barbes".  

D.  There shall be no size limit on bait shrimp taken in the manner prescribed in R.S. 56:497(B).  

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 544, §1; Acts 1958, No. 53, §5; Acts 1962, No. 452, §4; Acts 1984, No. 586, §1; Acts 1989, No. 85, §1, eff. June 16, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 489, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1991, No. 946, §1; Acts 1992, No. 619, §1, eff. July 2, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 443, §1, eff. June 9, 1993.