# Why do trucks carrying fish say "fish" on the trailer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 18, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-trucks-carrying-fish-say-fish-on-the-trailer/317523 "2005-08-18T02:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AU89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@AU89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AU89)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-trucks-carrying-fish-say-fish-on-the-trailer/317523/1 "2005-08-18T02:34:00Z")
Ever notice that trucks that have fish in them seem to always say “fish” usually in black letters at the bottom of the trailer doors? Is that the law or something? I see it all the time on the highways, so it isn’t just a case of one or two trucks. ---
**Author:** ![hermann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b487fb/32.png) [@hermann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermann)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-trucks-carrying-fish-say-fish-on-the-trailer/317523/2 "2005-08-18T03:23:14Z")
State law in Texas, if that’s where you are. > [@](#): > > If it spells FISH, you can bet what’s in there. > By Pete Wittenberg | Houston Post Staff > > Fresh Seafood by any other name still spells “F-I-S-H” in large black letters on Texas refrigerated trucks. > > Many motorists know the familiar sight: a truck rolling along the road with the bold declaration in capital letters painted on the back. > > It’s not there to sell fish. It’s there to comply with state law. Legislation passed in 1985 after a ban on commercial redfish catches required vehicles transporting fresh fish to be marked by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department code, said TP&W Enforcement Commander Bill Robinson. > > Since then, all sorts of notions by the public about the purpose of the lettering have sprung up. > > “We’ve had lots of calls,” Robinson said. “One person said he thought that meant they had a special place to park.” > > The question of what it meant occurred to Houston archaeologist Roger Moore, who called Roadside Attractions to find out. Before the new law, game wardens needed search warrants to inspect unmarked trucks. > > “When you’re dealing with fresh fish, you can’t delay,” Robinson said. Trucks leaving boat ramps that appeared to be “loaded heavy” or were dripping water from the back were inspection targets, he said. > > Now, the 8-inch lettered designation generally signifies that a carrier is following licensing requirements and allows inspectors to concentrate on unmarked trucks that are automatically in violation, Robinson said. A change in the law a month ago means carriers may substitute one 6-inch label or a white-on-black Texas map decal, minus the FISH designation, for the previously required markings on the back and both sides of the truck. > > Refrigerated trucks can be used alternately to carry ice cream or vegetables. “They had an objection to having FISH on them,” Robinson said. [http://www.seafood-sales.com/faq2.htm](http://www.seafood-sales.com/faq2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-trucks-carrying-fish-say-fish-on-the-trailer/317523/3 "2005-08-18T03:25:44Z")
We did this one before. Yes, it’s a state law in many states. I’ll see if I can find the previous theads. > **[fish trucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=4192)** > > Does anyone know why eighteen-wheelers carrying fish have the word FISH painted on the back? I have never seen this with any other product (whether it be perishable or not) and I was hoping someone would have a good explanation… [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=241372&highlight=fish+ohio](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=241372&highlight=fish+ohio)