LA HB497

Expands the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program to allow licensed charter boat captains to provide fish directly to retail food establishments for preparation, in addition to recreational fishermen already authorized under existing law

Requires fish or alligator meat provided to restaurants be cleaned, filleted, placed in food-grade single-service packaging, labeled with date, time caught, and the full name and address of the charter captain, fisherman, or hunter, and properly refrigerated

Authorizes licensed charter captains to apply for participation permits from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, with no fee for the application or permit

Permits allow restaurants to prepare legally caught fish or alligator for consumption by the charter captain, recreational fisherman, alligator hunter, or any person in their party

Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health, enforces program rules and regulations developed in conjunction with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries