In action
taken at the Jan. 4 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission passed a notice of intent that would allow the
incidental take and possession of paddlefish or as more commonly
called spoonbill catfish.
The notice
of intent states that properly licensed recreational fishermen
using legal recreational fishing gear would be able to take
paddlefish under the following conditions:
- The
taking or possession of paddlefish would be closed in all
saltwater areas of the state and in border waters shared
with Texas.
- All
possessed paddlefish must be dead and intact, and the transportation
of live paddlefish would be prohibited.
- No
person shall possess paddlefish eggs that are not fully
attached to the fish on state waters.
- The
daily take and possession limit would be two per person.
- All
paddlefish greater than 30 inches measured by the lower
jaw fork length standard would be returned to the water
immediately. Lower jaw fork length is the distance from
the tip of the lower jaw to the mid-line of the caudel fin.
- Commercial
take and possession of paddlefish would be prohibited.
Public
comment may be submitted to Gary Tilyou, Administrator, Inland
Fisheries Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, prior to March
6, 2007.
