Louisiana § RS 56:450 - Freshwater mussels; rules; penalties
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:450 — Freshwater mussels; rules; penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 56:450. Freshwater mussels; rules; penalties
A.(1) The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall adopt rules, developed and proposed by the department, to regulate the harvest of freshwater mussels. Such rules shall provide for open areas, species eligible for harvest, harvest methods, permits, fees, and other provisions necessary to implement this Section. In no case shall the annual permit fee for nonresidents be less than one thousand dollars per person harvesting freshwater mussels.
(2) One-half of the total of all revenues derived from the annual permit fees required for commercial mussel fishermen and severance tax are hereby dedicated to the operation of the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the remaining one-half of the total of all revenues is hereby dedicated to the operation of the inland fisheries division of the department.
B. The secretary shall have the authority to revoke, deny, or limit the number of permits issued as deemed necessary for proper management, control, and protection of the freshwater mussel resource.
C. Any violation of rules pertaining to the harvest and sale of freshwater mussels shall constitute a class four violation, R.S. 56:34. Any violation of harvest reporting requirements shall constitute a class 2-B violation, R.S. 56:32(A)(2).
D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, barter, or exchange any freshwater mussel meats. Any violation of this Subsection shall constitute a class four violation, R.S. 56:34.
E. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there shall not be any shell dredging in Lake Pontchartrain or Lake Maurepas.
Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1992, No. 851, §1; Acts 1993, No. 99, §1, eff. June 1, 1993; Acts 1994, No. 27, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 56:450
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:450 cover?
Section RS 56:450 ("Freshwater mussels; rules; penalties") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 56:450?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:450" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 56:450 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.