Louisiana committee backs seasonal ban on hoop nets in Manchaca and North Pass after residents describe mass catfish kills
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Summary
After residents and commercial fishermen clashed in hours of testimony, the committee adopted a May–August, two‑year sunset amendment to HB 665 restricting hoop nets and reported the bill favorable while directing further work on tagging and enforcement.
Representative Joe Mack introduced House Bill 665, saying constituents in Tangipahoa Parish have reported “hundreds” of dead catfish floating by camps and boat slips and that unmarked hoop nets are creating safety and nuisance problems for residents. He displayed photos and urged the committee to act to protect recreational boaters and local camp owners.
Residents and camp owners who testified described dead catfish covering boat slips and said odors and navigation hazards have made weekends unusable. Tom Inman, who said he lives on South Pass, said the nets he photographed were “full of dead catfish” and described instances when net rope snagged recreational boat props. Osmond Crane said he recovered a rope that nearly threw him overboard and warned of fast boats hitting submerged lines.
Commercial fishermen and industry witnesses pushed back, saying hoop nets are a primary gear type for blue catfish and underpin a lucrative market that supplies restaurants and out‑of‑state buyers. James Anthony Hickman, who identified himself as a full‑time commercial fisherman, said closing the pass would be “detrimental” to small operators and noted the added cost and risk of moving effort to rougher waters.
Wildlife and Fisheries officials told the committee passive gear in Louisiana waters is required to carry identification markers under commission rule and noted a state penalty (RS 56409.1) for willfully wasting state commercial resources. Patrick Banks, Fisheries Management Division administrator, said the department has investigated fish kills in the basin and found evidence of low dissolved oxygen during past incidents, which can occur in summer heat. Cole Garrett, LDWF general counsel, said the agency has tools to investigate discarding and trespass complaints but that enforcement capacity is limited.
Members questioned whether the observed dead‑fish pattern was a water‑quality issue, bad tending by individual net tenders, or some combination. Representative David Zarrang proposed — and the committee adopted by voice consent — a concept amendment to prohibit hoop nets in North Pass and Manchaca Pass from May 1 to Aug. 31 and include a two‑year sunset to evaluate effectiveness.
Representative Mack said he supported targeted enforcement and better tagging but called the seasonal compromise a workable next step. The committee reported HB 665 favorable as amended; the action was by voice consent with a commitment to continue stakeholder discussions between committee and floor.
The bill’s next steps: HB 665 was reported favorable by the committee and will be referred to the full House schedule; lawmakers said they will continue to work with LDWF, commercial fishermen and camp owners on enforcement, tagging compliance and any additional amendments.
