Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 56, § 499. Trawls, butterfly, and skimmer nets, and cast nets; size of mesh; length; diameter of butterfly and skimmer nets extensions; prohibited devices

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.

(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.