House Bill No. 497, introduced by Representative Lacombe, seeks to amend the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program by allowing licensed charter boat captains to provide fish directly to retail food establishments. The bill authorizes the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to manage and promote the program in collaboration with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, the Louisiana Charter Boat Association, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association. It specifies that retail food establishments can prepare fish or alligator legally taken by licensed charter captains, recreational fishermen, or alligator hunters for consumption by those individuals or their parties.

The proposed amendments also enhance the requirements for fish and alligator meat provided to restaurants. It mandates that the fish or meat must be within individual fishing limits, cleaned, packaged, refrigerated, and properly labeled with the date and time of capture, as well as the full name and address of the licensed captain, fisherman, or hunter. Additionally, the bill removes the application fee for participation permits in the program and clarifies that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will provide the names and locations of participating establishments to the Louisiana Department of Health upon request.

Statutes affected:
HB497 Original: 56:317(B)(1)
HB497 Engrossed: 56:317(B)(1)
HB497 Reengrossed: 56:317(B)(1)