Guide to Mississippi Saltwater Fishing€¦ · 2012, concerning saltwater fishing in...
40
Guide to Mississippi Saltwater Fishing 2012-2013 Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Rules and Regulations
Transcript of Guide to Mississippi Saltwater Fishing€¦ · 2012, concerning saltwater fishing in...
Guide toMississippiSaltwater
Fishing
2012-2013Mississippi Department
of Marine Resources
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530
228-374-5000dmr.ms.gov
ILLUSTRATIONS by Joe Jewell ©, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
Each year, the cover of “Guide to Mississippi Saltwater Fishing: Rules and Regulations” highlights a different Fisheries bureau within MDMR.The 2012-2013 cover represents the Shellfish Bureau.
This public document is not for sale, and all rights to the publication are reserved to the MDMR. Copies may be made for educational purposes only.
Printed on recycled paper
Rules andRegulations
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
State of MississippiThe Honorable Phil Bryant, GovernorMississippi Commission on Marine Resources Vernon Asper, Ph.D., Chairman Nonprofit Environmental Hancock County OrganizationJimmy Taylor, Vice Chairman Charter Boat OperatorHarrison CountyRichard Gollott Commercial Seafood ProcessorHarrison CountySteve Bosarge Commercial FishermanJackson CountyShelby Drummond Recreational FishermanJackson CountyMississippi Department of Marine ResourcesWilliam W. Walker, Ph.D., Executive Director Printed June 2012For more information, contact the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, 1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530, 228-374-5000. Visit our website: dmr.ms.gov.
The information provided in this guide is an overview of regulations in effect as of July 1, 2012, concerning saltwater fishing in Mississippi’s marine waters prepared in accordance with Mississippi Code Annotated §49-15-18. However, this guide is not, nor is it intended to be, a definitive publication of all regulations appertaining to saltwater fishing in Mississippi. Complete texts of all regulations and statutes are available at the office of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and on the MDMR website. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, readers are reminded that in the event of a conflict between state statute and CMR regulations, state statute will take precedence. If you are fishing in another state or federal waters, please consult fishing regulations that would be applicable. Readers are further reminded that the regulations are subject to change.
Federal regulations may differ from state regulations. For federal regulations, contact the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at 888-833-1844 or gulfcouncil.org.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council offers a free fishing regulations App for the Android and the iPhone. The Apps provide immediate access to the most up-to-date commercial and recreational federal fishing regulations for species managed by the Gulfof Mexico Fishery Management Council. Visit the App Store or Android Market to download the App or simply scan the appropriate QR code below with your iPhone or Droid.
Coastal Resources...
Yours to Treasure. Yours to Protect.
Your purchase of a fishing license supports research and restoration that enhances fishing opportunities in coastal Mississippi.
Visit: wsfr75.com
iPhone Droid
1
FISHING AND BOAT LICENSES ............................................................................... 2LICENSE FEES ........................................................................................................ 3RECREATIONAL FISHING LIMITS ............................................................................ 4COMMERCIAL FISHING LIMITS ............................................................................. 6CATCH AND RELEASE ............................................................................................ 7SHARKS ................................................................................................................. 8 Recreational&CommercialSharkLimits CommonSharksinMississippiWatersSALTWATERFINFISH ........................................................................................... 12 MethodsofTaking SpecialProvisions VentingRegulations CatchRestrictions CommonFinfishinMississippiWatersRECREATIONAL FISHING ..................................................................................... 18 SpecialProvisions CharterandHeadBoatsMISSISSIPPISPORTFISHINGRECORDS ................................................................20SHRIMP ............................................................................................................... 21 Commercial&RecreationalMethodsofTaking RestrictedAreas Season LegalSize SpecialProvisions Live-BaitShrimpingOYSTERS ............................................................................................................24 MethodsofTaking DefinitionstoKnow OysterReefs SpecialProvisions Seasons LegalSize&CatchLimitsCRABS ................................................................................................................. 28 MethodsofTaking SpecialProvisions Commercial&Recreational DiamondbackTerrapinsMENHADEN ........................................................................................................ 30DATAREPORTINGREQUIREMENTS ..................................................................... 30PROTECTEDSPECIES ........................................................................................... 31MARINE LITTER ................................................................................................... 32 MarineLitterRegulation&Exceptions Penalties MississippiCoastalCleanup MississippiMonofilamentRecyclingProgramINVASIVESPECIES ............................................................................................. 35GENERALPENALTIES/LICENSESALES ................................................................ 36
Table of Contents
Artwork by Joe Jewell ©
2
Fishing and Boat LicensesFISHING LICENSESAMississippisaltwaterfishinglicenseisrequiredforanyonetoharvestfishincoastalandmarinewaters(definedasthosesouthofInterstate10)ofthisstateexcept:•Anypersonundertheageof16.•Residentswhoaredeemed100%service-connecteddisabledbytheVeteransAdministrationor100%disabledthroughtheSocialSecurityAdministration.
Residents 65 years of age or older are required to purchase a lifetime recre-ational saltwater fishing license for a one-time fee.
AsaltwaterfishinglicenseisrequiredtofishsouthofHighway90.AboveHigh-way90andbelowI-10,eitherasaltwaterorfreshwaterlicensewillsuffice,andaboveI-10,afreshwaterlicenseisrequired.
OTHER RECREATIONAL LICENSESTheaboveexemptionsapplyforrecreationalcrab,shrimpandoysterlicenses,butonlytovesselsregisteredintheexemptresident’sname.
Anyone exempt from these license requirements must have a valid driver’s license and proof of service-connected or Social Security disability, if appli-cable, in his possession while fishing.
TemporaryresidentsstationedataMississippimilitarybasecanuseamilitaryI.D.topurchasearesidentfishinglicense.
Free fishing days–Anyonemayfishwithoutarecreationalsaltwaterfishinglicenseinstatemarinewaters,whicharewaterssouthofInterstate10,onJuly 4 and the first weekend of National Fishing and Boating Week in June.
Saltwater sportfishing, recreational shrimping and recreational crabbing licenses expire 1 year after date of sale.
Allcommercialboats,whetherresidentornonresident,fishingforshrimp,oys-ters,crabsorfinfish(withgillnet,trammelnetorsimilarapprovednets)withintheterritorialwatersoftheStateofMississippiarerequiredtobelicensedasdescribedherein.
All commercial seafood licenses expire April 30 of each year.
BOAT LICENSESProofofresidencemustbeshown,alongwithvalidboatregistration/documen-tationbeforeanylicensecanbepurchased.Proofcanbeavaliddriver’slicense,homesteadexemption,voter’sregistrationcardoraMississippistatetaxreturn.
3
TYPEOFLICENSE RESIDENT LICENSE FEESSHRIMPRecreational $15Shrimp/CaptainUnder30’Boat $60Shrimp/Captain30’to45’Boat $85Shrimp/CaptainOver45’Boat $110MississippiCaptain’sLicense $10
CRABCommercialCrabTrawl $75CommercialCrabTrap $75RecreationalCrabTrap $5
FISHRecreationalSaltwaterFishingLicense* $12.29**FishingBoatLicense/Gill&TrammelNet $100CharterBoat $200CommercialHookandLine/GigperVessel $100CommercialHookandLine/GigperFisherman $100MenhadenBoat/Net $150LifetimeLicense(for65andolder)*** $7.29
OYSTERRecreational $10Tonging $60Dredging $110
LIVE BAITLive-baitShrimpDealer $50Live-baitShrimpBoat $100Live-baitMinnow**** $50
BUSINESS LICENSEInterstateCommerce $20SeafoodDealer/Processor $100MenhadenProcessor $500SeafoodTransportLicense $100FreshProductPermit NoCharge
License Fees
*ValidforrecreationalmethodsoftakingfinfishsouthofU.S.Interstate10.**Licensefeeof$10plus$2.29processingandagentfees.***Residents65yearsofageorolderarerequiredtopurchasealifetimerecreationalsaltwaterfishinglicenseforasmallone-timefeeof$5plus$2.29processingandagentfees.****Inordertocatchortransportsaltwaterminnows,fishermenmustobtainasaltwaterlive-baitminnowlicense(seep.13).
Each seafood dealer/processor is required to complete Mississippi trip tickets provided by the MDMR. Commercial fishermen who land and sell their catch to anyone except a licensed Mississippi dealer/processor are required to com-plete trip tickets and be in possession of a fresh product permit.
Licensefeesfornonresidentsmayvary.CalltheDepartmentofMarineResourcesat228-374-5000forcurrentlicensefeesifyouareanonresident.
4
Recreational Fishing Limits*NumberofFishBag/Possession
MinimumLengthinInches
*It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license.**Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.***Recreationalfishermenmaypossess1pervesselwithinfour-fishaggregate.****Recreationalfishermenmaypossess2withinfour-fishaggregate.wRecreationalfishermenmayretainonlyonereddrumover30inches.wwwForopeningsandclosingsoffederallyregulatedfishgotowww.gulfcouncil.org.TL=TOTALLENGTH-Straightlinedistancefromtipofsnouttotipoftail.FL=FORKLENGTH-Straightlinedistancefromtipofsnouttoforkoftail.CFL=CURVEDFORKLENGTH-Tipoftheupperjawtotheforkoftailmeasuredalongthecontourofthemiddleofthebody.Note: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Commission on Ma-rine Resources. Advance notice of such closures shall be given.
COBIA 33 FL 2FLOUNDER 12 TL 15REDDRUMw 18TLto30TL** 3SPOTTEDSEATROUT 13 TL 15KING MACKERELwww 24 FL 2SPANISHMACKERELwww NoLimit 15TRIPLETAIL 18 TL 3VERMILLIONSNAPPERwww 10 TLLANESNAPPERwww 8 TLGRAY TRIGGERFISHwww 14 FLALMACO JACKwww NoLimit 20GOLDFACE TILEFISHwww NoLimit (inaggregate)ANCHOR TILEFISHwww NoLimitTILEFISHwww NoLimitBLACKLINE TILEFISHwww NoLimitBLUELINETILEFISHwww NoLimitGOLIATHGROUPERwww NoTake NoTakeNASSAUGROUPERwww NoTake NoTakeWARSAWGROUPERwww NoLimit 1pervessel***RED&YELLOWFINGROUPERSwww 20 TL BLACKGROUPERwww 22 TL 4GAGGROUPERwww 22 TL**** (inaggregate)SCAMPwww 16 TL SPECKLEDHINDwww NoLimit 1pervessel***
GRAY,SCHOOLMASTER, 12 TLCUBERA,DOG,MAHOGANY &YELLOWTAILSNAPPERSwww 10MUTTONSNAPPERwww 16TL (inaggregate)QUEEN,BLACKFIN, NoLimitSILK&WENCHMANSNAPPERSwww
REDSNAPPERwww 16 TL 2
5
HOGFISHwww 12 FL 5BIGEyETUNAwww 27 CFL NoLimityELLOWFINTUNAwww 27 CFL 3BLUEMARLINwww 99lowerjawFL NoLimitWHITEMARLINwww 66lowerjawFL NoLimitSAILFISHwww 63lowerjawFL NoLimitLONGBILLSPEARFISHwww NoTake NoTakeSHARKS(LARGECOASTALS 37 TL 1perperson/&PELAGICS)ww/www upto3pervesselSHARKS(SMALLCOASTALS)ww/www 25 TL 4CRABS-HARDSHELLS 5 *** NoLimitCRABS-SOFTSHELL NoLimit NoLimit
Recreational Fishing Limits*NumberofFishBag/Possession
MinimumLengthinInches
*It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license.**Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.***Asmeasuredfromthetipofonelateralspineacrossthebackoftheshelltothetipoftheoppositelateralspine.****Recreationalfishermenmaypossess2withinfour-fishaggregate.wRecreationalfishermenmayretainonlyonereddrumover30inches.wwPossessionofcertaincoastalsharksisprohibited.Seep.8andfederalregulationsformoreinformation.wwwForopeningsandclosingsoffederallyregulatedfishgotowww.gulfcouncil.org.Bluefin tuna limitsarevariablethroughouttheseasonanddependonthesizecategory.Refertowww.nmfspermits.comorcall888-872-8862forupdatedinformation.Allblue-fincatchesmustbereportedtotheMDMROfficeofMarineFisheries,1141BayviewAve.,Biloxi,MS39530,orcall228-374-5000.
TL = TOTAL LENGTHFL = FORK LENGTH
Federalregulationsmaydifferfromstateregulations.Forfederalregulations,contacttheGulfofMexicoFisheryManagementCouncilat888-833-1844orwww.gulfcouncil.org.
LOWERJAWFORK LENGTH
HOW TO MEASURE FISH
GREATERAMBERJACKwww 30 FL 1LESSERAMBERJACK 14FLto22FL** 5&BANDEDRUDDERFISHwww (inaggregate)
©
6
COBIAw 33 FL 2MULLET 10TL NoLimitFLOUNDER 12TL Quota***REDDRUMww 18TLto30TL* Quota***SPOTTEDSEATROUT 14TL Quota***KINGMACKEREL 24FL 3,000lbsSPANISHMACKEREL 14FL NoLimitGOLIATHGROUPER NoTake NoTakeNASSAUGROUPER NoTake NoTakeREDGROUPER 18TLYELLOWFINGROUPER 20TL NoLimitGAGGROUPER 22TLBLACKGROUPER 24TL NoLimitSCAMP 16TL NoLimitTRIPLETAIL 18TL 3REDSNAPPER 13TL** IFQ**VERMILLIONSNAPPER 10TL NoLimitLANESNAPPER 8TL NoLimitGRAYTRIGGERFISH 14FL NoLimitGRAY,SCHOOLMASTER, 12TL NoLimitCUBERA,DOG,MAHOGANY&YELLOWTAILSNAPPERSMUTTONSNAPPER 16TL NoLimitGREATERAMBERJACK 36FL NoLimitLESSER AMBERJACK 14FLto22FL* NoLimit&BANDEDRUDDERFISHHOGFISH 12FL NoLimitBIGEYETUNA 27CFL NoLimitBLUEFINTUNA NoTake NoTakeYELLOWFINTUNA 27CFL NoLimitBLUEMARLIN NoTake NoTakeWHITEMARLIN NoTake NoTakeSAILFISH NoTake NoTakeLONGBILLSPEARFISH NoTake NoTakeCRABS-HARDSHELLS 5**** NoLimitCRABS-SOFTSHELL NoLimit NoLimit
Commercial Fishing LimitsNumberofFishBag/Possession
MinimumLengthinInches
wItisillegaltosellcobiacaughtinMississippiterritorialwatersorcobialandedinMississippi.wwCommercialfishermenmayretainonlyonereddrumover30inches.*Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.**Itisillegaltosell,barterortradeanyspeciesofreeffishwithoutpossessingtheproperfederalpermitsand/orlicensesrequiredbytheNOAAGulfofMexicoReefFishFisheryManagementPlanandcomplyingwithanyotherconditionssetforthbyfederalorstateregulationsforthemanagementoftheidentifiedreeffish.IFQ=IndividualFishingQuota.***The seasonwill run from Jan.1 throughDec. 31 each year. Total allowable catch limits (TAC)are 74,000pounds for flounder, 35,000pounds for red drumand 40,000pounds for spotted seat-rout.When landing reports, as required by law, show the TAC has been reached for a given spe-cies,MDMRwill,with adequatenotice, issue a news release andpublic notice closing statewaters tocommercialfishingforthatspeciesfortheremainderofthatfishingyear.Federal regulations may differ from state regulations. For federal regulations, contact the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at 888-833-1844 or gulfcouncil.org.****Asmeasuredfromtipofonelateralspineacrossthebackoftheshelltotipofoppositelateralspine.Note: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Commission on Marine Re-sources. Advance notice of such closures shall be given.
7
WHY RELEASE FISH?1.Afishistoovaluablearesourcetobecaughtonlyonce.2.Apersonalcommitmenttoconservationaddsfuntofishing.3.Size,seasonandbagregulationsmakereleaseofsomefishmandatory.
HOW TO BEGIN1.Usebarblessorcirclehooksthataremadefrommetalsthatrustquickly.2.Setyourhookimmediately.Trytopreventafishfromswallowingthebait.3. Workafishoutofdeepwaterslowly,soitcanadjusttothepressurechange.4.Otherwise,landyourquarryquickly;don’tplayittoexhaustion.
HANDLING YOUR CATCH1.Leavethefishinthewater(ifpossible)anddon’thandleit.2.Netyourcatchonlyifyoucannotcontrolitanyotherway.3.Whenyoumusthandleafish:Useawetgloveorragtoholdit;turnafishon
itsbackorcoveritseyeswithawettoweltocalmit;don’tputyourfingersintheeyesorgillsofyourcatch.Largerfishmaybekeptinthewaterbyhold-ingtheleaderwithagloveorbyslippingareleasegaffthroughthe lowerjaw.Avoidremovingmucusorscales.
REMOVING THE HOOK1.Ifpossible,backthehookouttheoppositewayitwentin.2.Cuttheleaderclosetothemouthifafishhasbeenhookeddeeplyorifthe
hookcan’tberemovedquickly.3.Useneedle-nosepliers,ahemostatorahookouttoremovethehookand
protectyourhands.4.Foralargerfishinthewater,slipagaffaroundtheleaderandslideitdownto
thehook.Liftthegaffupwardwhilepullingdownwardontheleader.5.Donotjerkorpopaleadertobreakit.Thiscouldkillthefish.
THE RELEASE1.Gentlyplacethefishinthewater,supportingitsmidsectionandtail.2.Resuscitateanexhaustedfishbymovingitbackandforthortowitalongside
theboattoforcewaterthroughitsgills.3.Forfishpulledupfromdeepwater,airbladderdeflationisachievedbyinsert-
inganapprovedventingtoolthroughthesideofthefishimmediatelybehindtheupperpartofthepectoralfinbase(seediagramp.14).Thedeflationpositionvariesamongspecies.However,penetrationatapointbelowthe4thor5thdorsalfinspineisgenerallyappropriate.
4.Watchthefishtomakesureitswimsaway.5.Ifitdoesn’t,recoverthefishandtryagain.
Catch and Release
8
Thenumeroussharkspeciesaredividedintothreemanagementgroups:
I. LARGE COASTAL SHARKSsandbar** Carcharhinus plumbeusblacktip Carcharhinus limbatusdusky* Carcharhinus obscurusspinner Carcharhinus brevipinnasilky* Carcharhinus falciformisbull Carcharhinus leucasbignose* Carcharhinus altimusnarrowtooth* Carcharhinus brachyurusGalapagos* Carcharhinus galapagensisnight* Carcharhinus signatusCaribbeanreef* Carcharhinus perezitiger Galeocerdo cuvierlemon Negaprion brevirostrissandtiger* Odontaspis taurusbigeyesandtiger* Odontaspis noronhainurse Ginglymostoma cirratumscallopedhammerhead Sphyrna lewinigreathammerhead Sphyrna mokarransmoothhammerhead Sphyrna zygaenawhale* Rhincodon typusbasking* Cetorhinus maximuswhite* Carcharodon carcharias
II. SMALL COASTAL SHARKSAtlanticsharpnose Rhizoprionodon terraenovaeCaribbeansharpnose* Rhizoprionodon porosusfinetooth Carcharhinus isodonblacknose Carcharhinus acronotussmalltail* Carcharhinus porosusbonnethead Sphyrna tiburoAtlanticangel* Squatina dumeril
*Possessionofthesespeciesisprohibitedbystateregulationandfederallaw.
**SandbarsharksmayonlybepossessedbyfishermenpossessingaresearchfisherypermitissuedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesService.
Sharks
9
III. PELAGIC SHARKSshortfinmako Isurus oxyrinchuslongfinmako* Isurus paucusporbeagle Lamna nasusthresher Alopias vulpinusbigeyethresher* Alopias superciliosusblue Prionace glaucaoceanicwhitetip Carcharhinus longimanussevengill* Heptranchias perlosixgill* Hexanchus griseusbigeyesixgill* Hexanchus vitulus
*Possessionofthesespeciesisprohibited.
RECREATIONAL SHARK LIMITSRecreationalfishermenmaypossessnomorethan1ofthelargecoastalandpelagicsharkspeciesperpersonandnomorethan3ofthelargecoastalandpelagicsharkspeciespervessel.
Theminimumsizelimitforlargecoastalsharksis37inchestotallength.
Ofthesmallcoastalsharkspeciesgroup,recreationalfishermenmaypossess4sharksperpersonperday.
Theminimumsizelimitforsmallcoastalsharksis25inchestotallength.
COMMERCIAL SHARK LIMITSAllsharkspeciesareunderfederalquotas.
The practice of finning, which is removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea, is illegal.
©
2nd Dorsal FinFree Rear Tip
2nd Dorsal Fin Origin
Interdorsal Ridge1st Dorsal Fin
1st Dorsal Fin Origin
Snout
Pectoral FinRear Margin Pelvic Fin
Anal FinCaudal Keel
Caudal Fin
Claspers(males only)
10
CommonSharksinMississippiWaters
Asthenameindicates,thisshark’sfinsaretippedinblackexcept fortheanalfin.Itisamedium-sizeshark,butcanreachlengthsof9feet.Thissharkisveryactivewhenhookedandwilljumpoutofthewater.
Oneofthelargestsharkscommonlyfoundininshorewaters,itcanreachlengthsofgreaterthan10feet.Oneofthefewsharksthatregularlymoveintofreshwater.Themostdistinguishingcharacteristicofthissharkisitslargerobustbody.Thissharkisalsocharacterizedbyashortsnoutthatisbluntandrounded.
Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas
Blacktip SharkCarcharhinus limbatus
©
©
11
Thespinnersharkgetsitsnamefromabehaviorwhereitleapsoutofthewaterandspinsinmidair.Itisverysimilartotheblacktipshark,butallitsfinsareblack-tipped,includingtheanalfin.Itcanreachlengthsupto9feetandisextremelyactivewhenhooked.
Themostcommonshark inMississippicoastalwaters, this shark rarelyexceeds 4feetinlength.Itischaracterizedbyaslenderbuildandwhiteblotchesonthebody.Theoriginoftheseconddorsalfinisaboutmid-baseoftheanalfin.Thesesharksarealsocalled“wormies”bycoastalfishermen.
Spinner Shark Carcharhinus brevipinna
Atlantic Sharpnose SharkRhizoprionodon terraenovae
CommonSharksinMississippiWaters
©
©
12
METHODS OF TAKINGARecreationalFishinglicenseisrequiredforallmethodsoffinfishharvest.
SaltwaterfinfishmaybetakenfromMississippiwatersbyanyofthefollowingmethods:
•Hookandline:canepole,handlineorrodandreel.
•Trotline:AnyonetrotlinefishingsouthofInterstate10mustberegisteredwithMDMRandbeissuedauniquenumberthatistobeattached,alongwithfisher-man’sname,tobothendsoftrotlineonmetaltags,writteninindelibleinksothatitisreadablebyMDMRpersonnel.
•Spearorgig.
•Castnetsandbrail(brill)nets:Nottoexceed12feetinradius,maybeusedinmarinewatersonly.Nofreshwaterspeciesmaybeinafisherman’sposses-sionwhileheisusingacastnetorbrailnet.
•Small-meshbeachseinesunder100feetinlengthandwithamaximum1/4-inch-squaremeshsize.
•Trammelorgillnets,seinesoranysimilarcontrivancemustbeunder1,200feetintotallength.Gillandtrammelnetsmusthaveaminimum1-1/2-inch-squaremeshsize.FromOct.15throughDec.15ofeachyear,gillandtram-melnetsmusthaveaminimumsquare-inchmeshsizeof1-3/4inches.GillandtrammelnetsmustbemadeofDMR-approveddegradablematerials.
•Permittedeeltrapsmusthaveaminimumof1/2-by1-inch-squaremeshsize.
SPECIAL PROVISIONSCommercialfishingisprohibitednorthoftheCSXRailroadbridgeinthe3coastalcountiesofMississippi.
Inaddition,theNationalParkServiceprohibitscommercialfishingwithintheGulfIslandsNationalSeashoreboundary,whichisa1-mileperimeteraroundShip,HornandPetitBoisislands.
AnypersonorcompanysellingortransportingforsaleanyspeciesoffishthatdoesnotmeetMississippistatesizelimitsorforwhichtheseasonisclosedmustpossessvaliddocumentationfromthestateorcountryoforiginevi- dencingthatthefishwerelegallyharvested.
Commercial eel permit: AspecialpermitandregulationsforcommercialeelfishingmustbeobtainedfromtheDepartmentofMarineResources.
Allfishtrapsorpotsandeeltrapsorpotsmustbeclearlymarkedwiththeowner’sfullname,permitorlicensenumber.Allfishtrapsorpotsandeeltrapsorpotsmustbecheckedandemptiedatleastonceevery48hours.
Saltwater Finfish
13
Live-bait minnow license: Inordertocatchortransportsaltwaterminnowsforsale,fishermenmustobtainasaltwaterlive-baitminnowlicense(seelicensefeesp.3).
AllminnowtrapsplacedinoronthemarinewatersofMississippimusthaveacorrosion-resistantmetalorplastictagpermanentlyattachedtothetrapandstampedwiththelicensedowner’sfullname.Theminimumheightofthe lettersshallbeatleast3/16ofaninch.
The possession of a gill net, trammel net or like contrivance,oranyotherequipmentprohibitedforuseinthetakingorharvestingofseafoodonavesselonthemarinewatersofthisstatewheretheuseofthenet,contrivanceorequipmentisprohibited,shallconstituteprima facieevidencethatanoffensehasbeencommittedtotakeorharvestseafoodwithnets,contrivancesorequipmentprohibitedbythischapter,unlessthevesselis:
(a)Anchoredormooredatapermanentfacilityintendedforthemooring ofvessels;
(b)Travelingdirectlybetweenamarina,harbororpublicboatlaunching facilityandaU.S.CoastGuardmarkedandmaintainednavigation channel;OR
(c)TravelingwithinaU.S.CoastGuardmarkedandmaintainednavigationchannel.
Theuseofgillortrammelnetsisprohibitedwithin1/2mileoftheshoreline.Allnets,regardlessoftype,mustbeclearlymarkedwiththeowner’snameorlicensenumber.Floatsorbuoysmustbeplacedatintervalsof100feetorless.
Nets, seines or any like contrivance are not permitted in the following areas:Withinanyriver,bayou,creek,canal,stream,tributary,lake,bay,inletorotherwatersourceenteringintosaltwaters,except:
•PointAuxChenesBay.
•MiddleBay-JoseBay.
•L’IsleChaudeBay.
•HeronBay.
•SouthRigolets.•BiloxiBay,southofalinebetweenMarshPoint,OceanSpringsandGrandBayou,DeerIsland.
•PascagoulaBay,southofalinebeginningatapointontheshorelineatthesouthernterminusofrangelinesR7WandR6WnearCampLamotte;thencesoutheasterlyalongthemostdirectlinetothesouthernmostpointofTwinIslands;thenceeasterlyalongthemostdirectlinetothesouthernpointofRabbitIsland;thenceeasterlyalongthemostdirectlinetobeacon“OccR4sec100feet”ontheeasternsideofNorthropGrummanShipSystems;thencesoutheasterlyfollowingtheshorelineofthesoutheasternmostpoint
14
ofNorthropGrummanShipSystems;thenceeasterlyalongthemostdirectlinetothesouthernmostpointoflandadjoiningtheentranceofYazooLakeandSouthRigoletsandBiloxiBaysouthofalinedrawnbetweenMarshPointandGrandBayou.
Nets,seinesorfishtrapsusedforcatchingfisharenotpermittedwithin1,200feetofanypierorharbor.Nets,seinesorfishtrapsarenotpermittedwithin100feetofthemouthofanybay,bayou,creek,canal,stream,lake,inlet,chan-nelortributaryorwithinanyareathatwouldblockthemouthofanysuchbodyofwater.(Please note: gill and trammel nets are prohibited within 1/2 mile of the shoreline.)
Purseseinesmaynotexceed1,500feetinlength,exceptthoseusedexpresslytocatchmenhaden.Menhadenpurseseinesmusthaveameshsizenosmallerthan1/2-inchsquare(1-inchstretch).
VENTING REGULATIONSAllfishermenfishingforreef-associatedspecies(snappers,groupers,triggerfishandamberjack)mustpossessandutilizethetoolsdescribedbelow:
Dehooking tool: Thehookremovaldeviceisrequiredtobeconstructedtoallowthehooktobesecuredandthebarbshieldedwithoutre-engagingduringtheremovalprocess.Thisrequiresthedehookingendtobeblunt,andalledgesrounded.Thedevicemustbeofasizeappropriatetosecuretherangeofhooksizesandstylesusedinthereef-fishfishery.
Venting tool: Theventingtoolmustbeasharpened,hollowinstrument,suchasahypodermicsyringewiththeplungerremoved,ora16-gaugeneedlefixedtoahollowwoodendowel.Use of tools such as a knife or ice pick is not permissible.
Hooks: NON-stainlesssteelcirclehooksarerequiredwhenusingnaturalbaitswhilefishingforallreefspeciesincludingredsnapper.
IllustrationcourtesyofMississippi-AlabamaSeaGrant
15
CATCH RESTRICTIONSKingmackerelfishingisdefinedasafishingactivityinwhichthesolepurposeistocatchkingmackerel. Catchinginexcessof10percentbyweightofspeciesotherthankingmackerelwhilenetfishingforkingmackerelisprohibited.
Mulletfishingisdefinedasanynet-fishingactivityinwhich90percentormoreofthetotalcatchbyweightconsistsofmullet.Mulletfishingusingtraps,seinesornetsotherthancastorbrailnetsisnotpermittedwithin1,200feetofanypublicorhotelpiernorwithin300feetofanyprivatepier,providedthatsuchpiersareinusableconditionandextend75feetormorefromtheshoreline.Netsmustnotexceed1,200feetinlength.
ThecommercialseasonwillrunfromJan.1toDec.31eachyear.Totalallowablecatchlimits(TAC)forthe2012seasonandeachfollowingwillbe74,000poundsforfloun-der,35,000poundsforreddrumand40,000forspottedseatrout.Whenlandingre-ports,asrequiredbylaw,showtheTAChasbeenreachedforagivenspecies,MDMRwill,withadequatenotice,issueanewsreleaseandpublicnoticeclosingstatewaters tocommercialfishingforthatspeciesfortheremainderofthatfishingyear.
Purseseinesmaynotbeusedtocatchinexcessof5percentbyweightinanysinglesetofthenet,anyofthefollowingfishes:
•Bluefish •Kingmackerel•Cobia(lingorlemonfish) •Pompano•Dolphin •Spanishmackerel•Jackcrevalle •Spottedseatrout(speckledtrout)
Italsoisillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardinexcessof10percentbyweightofthetotalcatchanyoftheaforementionedspecies.
Itisfurtherillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardanyquantityofreddrum(redfish).
Commercialfishermenmayretaintwocobiaperpersonforpersonalconsump-tion.
ItisillegaltosellcobiacaughtinMississippiterritorialwatersorlandedinMississippi.
16
Red Snapper
Mullet
Lane Snapper
Red Drum
Gray Snapper (Mangrove)
Vermillion Snapper (Beeliner)
Lutjanus campechanus
Mugil cephalus
Lutjanus synagris
Sciaenops ocellatus
Lutjanus griseus
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Aboundingaroundtheoffshoreartificialreefsandotherbottomobstructions, the red snapper is acovetedfoodfishalongtheGulfCoast.Thesebril-liantly coloredfisharedistinguishedby their redcolorationand reef-dwellinghabits. Snapper aretypicallycaughtonheavytackle,usingcutfishforbait.Pleasebeaware,juvenileswillhaveadarkspotbelowthedorsalfin.
Both striped andwhitemullet are called “BiloxiBacon” along theMississippiGulf Coast as thisspecies is a staple for subsistencefishermenandaprincipalpreyspeciesfor largerfish.Mulletaremostcommonlytakenusingcastnets.Hook-and- linefishermencancatchthesefishwithverysmallhooksanddoughballbaits.
The color patternof this snappermakes it easy todistinguishfromtheothersnappersthatoccuralongtheMississippiGulfCoast.Theyarearedcolorwith8 to10yellow/goldhorizontal stripesalongthesidesandablackspotbeneaththedorsalfin.Thisspeciesislessabundantthaneithertheredorvermillionsnappers.
Redfish are another favorite species of local anglers. These bruisers can get upwards of 30pounds.Feedinghabitsareintermediatebetweentheircousins,thebottom-feedingblackdrumand themore surface-feeding spotted seatrout. Bluecrabsandgoldspoonsareamongthebestbaittouseforcatchingredfish.
This small snapper is commonly found inshore congregatingaroundseagrassbeds,rockyareasandpiers.Thisspeciesisoftenfoundinmixedschoolswithpinfishandpigfish.Astheygrowlargertheymoveoffshoreoverhardbottomsandcanbecaughtaroundartificialreefs.
Thissnapperisbrightredincoloranditsbodyshapeisnarrowerthanthatoftheredsnapper.Vermillionsnapperaresmallsnapperwhicharefoundinthesamehabitatasredsnapperandcaughtonthesametypeofbaits.
CommonFinfishinMississippiWaters
17
King Mackerel
Gag Grouper
Spanish Mackerel
Spotted Seatrout
Cobia
Greater Amberjack
Scomberomorus cavalla
Mycteroperca microlepis
Scomberomorus maculatus
Cynoscion nebulosus
Rachycentron canadum
Seriola dumerili
Kings are constantly on themove andmigratealongtheentirenorthernGulfofMexico,wheretheymay congregate around oil rigs, offshorewrecksandshoalwater.Kingmackerelinexcessof60poundsaretakeneachyearbyfishermenwhotrollandcastforthemasfarsouthasthemouthoftheMississippiRiver.
Duringthesummermonthswhenthewatertem-peratures increasealong the coast, juvenilegaggrouper areoften caughtbyfishermenaround rockpilesandpilings.Thelargeradultsoccuroff-shoreindeeperwater,usuallyoverhardbottomsandaroundsomekindofstructure.
SpanishmackerelareabundantintheMississippiSoundfromearlysummerthroughmidfall.Caughtbeston fast-moving,silvery lures, theyformthesummerstapleofthecharterfishery.Careshouldbetakenwhenremovingthesetoothsomecrittersfromthehook.
Locallycalledspeckledtroutorsimply“speck,”thisfish iswidelysought incoastalwatersGulfwide.Specksupwardsof5poundsarenotuncommon,buttheaverageschooltroutwillbearoundapoundorso.Troutcanbecaughtyear-round,butspringandfallarepeakfishingtimes.
Called lemonfish locally, the cobia is truly abiggame species. Lemonfishup to100poundsarecaught annually during the spring run. Lemon-fishhaveadecidedpreference for congregatingaroundbuoys,anchoredvessels,etc.Livecatfishorwhite trout are preferredbait, though a jig or feathermight also entice a big lemon intostriking.
Thisfishisgenerallyfoundarounddeepwateroilrigsorartificialreefs.Greateramberjackcanreachweightsinexcessof100poundsandcanputupanexcellentfightwhenhooked.Thegreateramber-jack is the largestof the fouramberjackspeciesthatoccurintheGulfofMexico.
CommonFinfishinMississippiWaters
18
Recreational Fishing
SPECIAL PROVISIONSPleaseseethe“FishingLicenses”section(pp.2-3)inthefrontofthisbookletformoreinformationonMississippirecreationalsaltwatersportfishinglicensesandMississippi’sfreesaltwatersportfishingdays.Arecreationalsaltwaterfishinglicenseisrequiredforallmethodsofrecreationalfinfishharvest.
Itshallbeunlawfulforrecreationalfishermentosellorofferforsaleanysea-foodcaughtinorlandedintheStateofMississippi,andonlylicensedcommer-cialfishermenmaycatchandsellseafood.Furthermore,itshallbeunlawfulforanyperson,firmorcorporationtopurchase,buy,barterforortradeforanyseafoodcaughtinorlandedintheStateofMississippithatwascaughtorlandedbyarecreationalfishermanorthatwastransportedintotheStateofMississippibyarecreationalfisherman.
RecreationalfishermennotfishinginMississippiwatersmaytransportandlandfishthatmeettheminimumsizeandcreellimitsofthewatersinwhichtheywerelegallycaught.Saidrecreationalfishermenmustpossessavalidsalt-watersportfishinglicenseasmayberequiredinthewaterswherethefishwerecaught.Intheabsenceofminimumsizeorcreellimitsinanotherjurisdiction,Mississippilawwillprevail.
©
19
CHARTER AND HEAD BOATSPersonsonalicensedcharterboatorheadboatmaypossessa2-daybaglimitonlywhencomplyingwiththefollowingconditionsandonlyforthespecieslistedinsubsectionHaslistedbelow:
A.Charterboatsmustbelessthan100grosstonsandmeetU.S.CoastGuardrequirementstocarrysixorfewerpassengers.
B.HeadboatsmustholdavalidcertificateofinspectionissuedbytheCoastGuard.
C.Thecharterboatorheadboatmustpossessafederalreeffishpermitif fishingforreeffishorinpossessionofreeffishinfederalwaters.
D.ThecharterboatorheadboatmusthavetwoCoastGuard-certifiedcaptainsaboard(asrequiredbyCoastGuardregulationsfortripsover12hours).
E.Eachpersonaboardthecharterboatorheadboatmustpossessacertificateissuedinthenameofthecharteringcompany,statingthetimeanddate thecharterleftthedock,andthetripmustbeinexcessof24hours.
F.Chartervesselcaptainandcrewareprohibitedfromkeepingarecreationalbaglimitofredsnapper.
G.For-hirevesselcaptainsandcrewareprohibitedfromretainingarecreationalbaglimitofgreateramberjack.
H.KingandSpanishmackerel,snappers(red,vermillion,lane,gray,mutton,yellowtail,schoolmaster,cubera,dog,mahogany,queen,blackfin,silkandwenchman),groupers(misty,snowy,yellowedge,warsaw,speckledhind,red,yellowfin,black,gag,scamp,yellowmouth,rockhindandredhind),hogfish,graytriggerfish,lesseramberjack,bandedrudderfish,almacojack,goldfacetilefish,anchortilefish,blacklinetilefish,bluelinetilefishandgreateramber-jack.
CharterandrecreationalfishermenfishingintheGulfofMexicoover24con-tinuoushoursmaypossessfilletedfishinMississippiwaters,iftheyhavefiledafloatplanwiththeDepartmentofMarineResourcesinadvanceandhaveasignedcopyaboardtheirboats.FloatplansareavailableattheDepartmentofMarineResourcesduringregularworkinghours,MondaythroughFridayfrom8a.m.to5p.m.Floatplansmustbefiledandreceivedduringthesetimes,beforetheboat’sdepartureonthefishingtrip.Afloatplandoesnotallowanglerstopossessa2-daycatch.
20
Mississippi Sportfishing RecordsToqualifyforsaltwatersportfishingrecordconsideration,anglersmust completeanofficialapplicationobtainedfromtheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResourcesandmustabidebythefollowingrules:
1.Fishmustbehooked,foughtandbroughttonetorgaffbytheapplicantwithnohelpfromanyperson,exceptthatanotherpersonmayoperatethenetorgaff.Catchesonhandlinesorothernonsportingequipmentwillnotbeconsidered.
2. a. ConventionalRecords:Fishmustbelegallycaughtinasportingmanneronrod,reelandlineorpoleandline,andhookedwithanylegalhookorlure.
b.Fly-FishingRecords:Fishmustbelegallycaughtusingconventionalfly- fishingtackle.Thelureusedmustbearecognizedtypeofartificialfly.Treblehooksareprohibited.Theuseofanyothertypeoflureornaturalbait,eithersingularlyorattachedtotheflyisprohibited.Theflyusedmustbesubmittedwiththeapplication.
3.Two(2)colorphotographsshouldbesubmittedwitheachapplication:a.One(1)ofanglerandfish.b.One(1)showingaclear,close-upsideviewofthefish.PhotosbecomethepropertyoftheDepartmentofMarineResources.
4.FishMUSTbeweighedoncertifiedscalesorscaleslegalfortrade,i.e.,grocerystorescales,etc.Theweighingmusttakeplaceinthepresenceoftwowit-nessesotherthantheapplicantwhoMUSTsigntheapplicationformoraseparatestatementattestingthattheywitnessedtheOFFICIALweight.NOprovisionforweightlosswillbeallowed.TheactualweightofthefishATTHETIMEOFWEIGHINGwillbetheOFFICIALWEIGHT.Itisalsodesirabletoincludesignature(s)ontheapplicationformofthewitness(es),ifany,totheactualcatchingofthefish.WitnessestotheweightandcatchCANNOTbethesamepersons.Rodeoentriesareconsideredvalidandacceptableweights.
5.LengthofthefishmustbemeasuredinastraightlinefromthetipofthesnouttothetipofthetailANDfromthetipofthesnouttotheforkofthetail(seediagramonp.5).
6.Girthofthefishwillbemeasuredaroundthethickestportionofthebody.
7.ApplicationsforsaltwaterspeciesSHALLbepositivelyidentifiedANDverifiedbyaprofessionalfisheriesbiologistand/orarodeoweighmaster.
8.OnlyfishcaughtinMississippiwatersorfishcaughtinadjacentwatersandlandedinaMississippiportwillbeconsidered.
9.TheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResourcesreservestherighttofurthercheckfishidentificationorverificationofwitnessesandtorefuseanyapplica-tionthatisquestionable.Itwillbeconsidered“justcause”fordisqualificationofcurrentapplicationandanypreviousrecordsestablishedbyanyonewhoknowinglyfalsifiesaRecordApplication.Allruleswillbestrictlyadheredto.ThedecisionoftheMississippiCommissiononMarineResourceswillbefinal.
21
ShrimpCOMMERCIAL METHODS OF TAKINGDuringopen seasonsand inopenareas, saltwater shrimpmayonlybe takenwith shrimp trawls, trawls, butterflynets, skimmernets, push trawls, beachseinesandcastnets.Northofthebarrierislands,withintheMississippiSound,
shrimpmayonlybetakenwithasinglenet,nolargerthan50feetalongheadropeand60feetalongfootrope,ornotmorethan2nets,eachnolargerthan25feetonheadropeand32feetonfootrope.Atest(ortry)trawlnolongerthan12feetalongheadropeand15
feetalongfootropeandusedwithboardsnotmorethan30inchesinlengthispermitted.Trawldoorsshallnotexceed8feetby43inches.
Itshallbeunlawfultouseskimmertrawlsorwingnetswithamaximumsizegreaterthan25feetontheheadropeand32feetonthefootrope.
Allrecreationalandcommercialshrimpvesselswithamechanicalassistedre-trievalsystemmusthaveaTurtleExcluderDevice(TED).Skimmertrawlvesselsmayuse55-minutetowtimesinsteadofTEDs.
RECREATIONAL METHODS OF TAKINGArecreationalshrimplicenseisrequiredforshrimpharvestbytrawl.Rec-reationalshrimpharvestbycastnetdoesnotrequirearecreationalfishinglicense,unlessretainingfinfish.
Recreationallyharvestedshrimpcannotbesold.
Allcrabsandfinfishharvestedbyrecreationalfishermenmaybekeptforper-sonalconsumption,butMUST meetminimumsizeandcreellimits.
Castnetsorbrail(brill)netsnotexceeding12-feetmaximumradiusmaybeusedtocatchupto50poundsofshrimp(headson)perperson,perdayforper-sonalconsumptiononlyinthebayslocatedwithinandsurroundingthecitiesofBaySt.Louis,Biloxi,OceanSprings,GautierandPascagoula.
Personscatchingshrimpwithcastnetsorbrailnetsshallnotremovetheheadsoftheshrimponsite.
Smallmeshbeachseinesunder100feetinlengthandwithamaximum1/4- inch-squaremeshsizearepermitted.
Holdersofarecreationalshrimptrawlinglicensearelimitedtotheuseofasinglenetmeasuringnolargerthan16feetalongtheheadrope.
Licensedshrimptrawlersmaykeepupto25poundsintotalofwhitetrout,croaker,blackdrum,groundmullet,gafftopsailcatfishandflounderandthreedozenbluecrabsforpersonalconsumption.
©
22
RESTRICTED AREASTrawlingisnotgenerallypermittedinanyareawithin1/2mileofthemainland,exceptbydulylicensedlive-baitdealers.PleasecontacttheDepartmentofMarineResourcesformoredetailsonclosedareas.
TrawlingisprohibitednorthoftheIntracoastalWaterway(tugboatchannel)startingatmidnightDec.31ofeachyear.TheareasouthoftheIntracoastal Waterway(tugboatchannel)willbeclosedtotrawlingafterApril30ofeachyearandpriortotheopeningofshrimpseason(specialextensionsmaybemadebytheCommissiononMarineResourcespendingsamplingfindings).
Itshallbeunlawfultorecreationallyorcommerciallytrawlwithintheboundar-iesoftheGulfIslandsNationalSeashore,whichisa1-mileperimeteraroundShip,HornandPetitBoisislands.
SEASONShrimpseasonisofficiallyopenedbypublicnoticeatsuchtimethattheDepart-mentofMarineResources’OfficeofMarineFisherieshasdeterminedthattheshrimphavereachedlegalsize.
LEGAL SIZEShrimpsmallerinsizethan68counttothepoundarenottobetakeninMiss-issippiwaters,exceptbylicensedlive-baitboats.
SPECIAL PROVISIONSItisillegalforanyonetowashatrawlbypullingitwithinanywatersthatareclosedtoshrimping.Italsoisillegalforanyonetocleannetsbypullingthemwithinanywatersthatareclosedtotheuseofthatsize,typeornumberoftrawls.
ItisillegaltouseasaltboxinMississippiwatersinwhichthesaltsolutionex-ceeds100partsperthousandsalinity.
Commercialshrimpersarepermittedtoselltheirlegallycaughtshrimplive.
For the latest updates on the Mississippi shrimp fishery, call the toll-free 24-hour Shrimp Information Hotline 1-866-We Trawl (866-938-7295).
LIVE-BAIT SHRIMPINGLive-baitcatcherboatsareprohibitedfromtrawlingnorthoftheCSXRailroadbridgeinthethreecoastalcountiesofMississippi.
Thelive-baitfisheryisviewedasaservicetorecreationalfishermenandtothetouristindustryofMississippi.Thespecialprivilegesgrantedandtheregula-tionsimposedareintendedtoensurethatthisservicemaybeperformedwithminimalimpactonshrimpandfishpopulations.
23
Writtenapplicationforlive-baitlicensesmustbemadetotheMississippi CommissiononMarineResources.
Shrimpof100counttothepoundaretheminimumlegalsizeforlicensedlive-baitdealers.Live-baitdealersmustmarktheirboatsandtransportvehicleswiththedesignation“LIVEBAIT”inlettersatleast6incheshighonboththeportandstarboardsidesofthevesselandatleast4incheshighonthetransportvehicle.Thenameofthebaitcampmustbesimilarlydisplayedontheboatandtrans-portvehicle.
Live-baitboatsmustbeequippedtoadequatelymaintainliveshrimponboard.Suchboatsalsoarerestrictedtotowsof25minutesorlessandarenotpermit-tedtohaveonboardinexcessof30poundsofdeadshrimpatanytime.
Live-baittrawlingispermittedonlyduringthehoursbeginning30minutesbefore sunrise andending at sunset, thenonlyusing a trawlno larger than 16feetontheheadropeand22feetonthefootrope,exceptareaswestofBayou Caddy,wheretrawlsmaybe25feetontheheadropeand32feetonthefootrope.Special areasmaybeopened to live-bait trawlingandadditional restrictionsimposed.
Fishcaughtcoincidentaltoalive-baitoperationmayberetainedandsoldforchum.Fishretainedmustbeoflegalcommercialsize.However,ifcrabsaretobekept,thedealerisrequiredtoholdavalidMississippicommercialcrablicense.
Live-baitcampsmustmeetthefollowingspecialrequirements:
•Eachcampmusthaveadequateholdingandaeratingsystems,whichmustbecleanedofdeadshrimpatleastevery12hours.
•Nobulksalesofdeadshrimparepermitted.Deadshrimpmaybesoldonlywiththeheadsattachedandincontainersholdingnomorethan16ounces.Nomorethanfive(5)16-ouncecontainersmaybesoldtoanindividualin 1day.
•Someonemustbereadilyavailabletoservecustomersduringappropriatehours,andeachlive-baitdealerapplicationmustincludethesehours,atleasteighthoursper24-hourperiod.
•Locationofthecampmustbeaccessibletothegeneralpublicbypublicroadorwaterslocatedwithinthethreecoastalcounties.
Purchasingdeadshrimpinbulkquantitiesfromalive-baitdealerisillegalandpunishablebya$5,000fineforthefirstoffense.AdditionalinformationandregulationsgoverninglivebaitareavailablefromtheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResources.
24
OystersMETHODS OF TAKINGArecreationaloysterlicenseisrequiredforallmethodsofoysterharvest.Duringopenseason,oystersmaybetakenonlybyhands,tongsanddredges.
Dredgesforoysteringmaynotexceed140poundsinweightnormaytheyhaveanexcessof16teeth.Teethonthedredgemustbe5inchesorlessinlength.
Restrictionsonthemaximumnumberofdredgescarriedorthemaximum numberofsacksthatmaybeharvesteddailywillbeestablishedseasonallybytheCommissiononMarineResources.
DEFINITIONS TO KNOW*APPROVEDAREATheclassificationofastateshellfishgrowingarea,whichhasbeenapprovedbytheStateShellfishControlAuthority(SSCA)forgrowingorharvestingshell-fishfordirectmarketing.TheclassificationofanapprovedareaisdeterminedthroughasanitarysurveyconductedbytheSSCA.Anapprovedshellfishgrow-ingareamaybetemporarilyclosedwhenapublichealthemergency,hurricaneorfloodingisdeclared.
CONDITIONALLYAPPROVEDAREATheclassificationofastateshellfishgrowingareadeterminedbytheSSCAtomeetapprovedareacriteriaforapredictableperiod.Theperiodisconditionaluponestablishedperformancestandardsspecifiedinamanagementplan.AconditionallyapprovedshellfishgrowingareaisclosedwhentheareadoesnotmeettheapprovedgrowingareacriteriaandistemporarilyclosedbytheSSCA.
RESTRICTED AREAStatewatersthathavebeenclassifiedbytheSSCAasanareafromwhichshellfishmaybeharvestedonlybypermitfromtheSSCAandaresubjectedtosuitableandeffectivetreatmentthroughrelaying.
PROHIBITEDAREAAgrowingareawherethereisnocurrentsanitarysurveyorwherethesanitarysurveyorothermonitoringprogramdata indicate that fecalmaterial, patho-genicmicroorganisms, poisonous or deleterious substances,marine toxinsor radionuclidesmay reach this area in excessive concentrations. The tak-ingof shellfish for anyhuman foodpurposes from suchareas is prohibited.
*Definitions from the National Shellfish Sanitation Program’s “Guide for Control of Molluscan Shellfish,” 2009 Revision.
25
OYSTER REEFS Oysters may be taken only from those waters approved for shellfish harvest by the Commission on Marine Resources. These area waters are subject to reclass- ification.
The harvesting, shucking, processing and sale of oysters must conform to all regulations specified by state statute and in the regulation adopted by the Commission on Marine Resources.
Several natural reefs are located in approved waters. They include:• Pass Marianne Reef• Telegraph Reef• Buoy Reef• Umbrella Reef• Pelican Key Reef
The major natural oyster reefs known to be located entirely within conditionally approved waters include:• St. Joe Reef (St. Joseph’s Point Reef)• Waveland Reef• St. Stanislaus Reef• Square Handkerchief Reef• Henderson Point Reef• Bay St. Louis Reef• Kittiwake Reef (Long Beach Reef)• White House Reef• North and South Rigolets• Middle Bay
Following a rainfall, riverstage or other pollution event, conditionally approved reefs and affected privately leased areas may be temporarily closed to oyster-ing when poor water-quality conditions exist. Such closures are released to local newspapers, television and radio media. Pertinent information about the opening and closing of reefs is available by calling the Department of Marine Resources toll-free 24-hour Oyster Information Hotline at 228-374-5167 or 800-385-5902. The information may be updated daily during oyster season. Information on the current status of any shellfish growing waters in this state may be obtained from the Department of Marine Resources.
Oyster Spat
©
26
SPECIAL PROVISIONSBothrecreationalandcommercialoysterharvestersmustpurchasealicensefromtheDepartmentofMarineResources.
OysterstakenfromMississippiwatersmustbetagged.ThesetagsareissuedbytheDepartmentofMarineResourcesatofficiallydesignatedcheck-in,check-outstations.Thesestationswillbeidentifiedintheopeningorderforoysterseason.Bothcommercialandrecreationaloysterharvestersmustcheckinatthedesignatedcheckstationbeforegoingtoreefsandmustcheckoutatthesamestation.
Tagsareissuedatthetimeofinspection.Eachtagmustbecompletedwith theharvester’sname,license/identificationnumber,harvestdate,harvestareaandtheshell-stockdealer’snameandidentificationnumberiftheoystersaretobesold.TagsmustbeaffixedtothesackswiththefastenersprovidedbytheDMR.AllharvestersarerequiredtopayashellretentionfeetotheDepartmentofMarineResourcesonthedayofharvest.Shellretentionfeeswillbeusedtofurtheroysterproductioninthestate.
OysterstakenfromprivateleasesmustbesodesignatedbytagsindicatingtheofficialleasenumbersissuedbytheDepartmentofMarineResources.
Oysterstakenforpersonalconsumptionalsomustbeinspectedandatagwillbeissuedforeachsack.Suchtagswillidentifythatthecontentsarenottobesold.
Eachboatorvesselusedtoharvestortransportshellfishisrequiredtohave onboardafunctional,approvedmarinesanitationdevice(MSD),portable toiletorotherapprovedsewagedisposalreceptacletocontainhumansewage.
Oystersdestinedforinterstatecommercemustoriginatefromacertified Mississippidealerwithafixedcoolerfacility.
AnyoysterstakenfromotherthanMississippiwatersmustbeaccompaniedbyabillofladingindicatingthepointoforigin.
OystersharvestedoutsideofMississippiwatersandtransportedbywaterintothestatemustapplyforapermitissuedbytheDepartmentofMarineResour-cesandcomplywiththeprovisionsofthepermit.
BetweenMay1andSept.30,harvestvesselsmusthaveanawningorsimilarcoveringaboveshellstocktoprovideprotectionfromthesun.
27
SEASONSThecommercialoysterseasonisregulatedbytheCommissiononMarineResourcesandnoticethereofwillbedulypublishedinlocalnewspapersandreleasedtoboththeradioandtelevisionmedia.
Duringopenseason,oystersmaybetakenonlyduringdaylighthours.
LEGAL SIZE LIMITSOysterstakeninMississippiwatersmustbeatleast3inchesfromhingetobill.Attimes,however,theDepartmentofMarineResourcesmayadjustthislimituponpublicnoticetothateffect.
LEGAL CATCH LIMITSRecreationalcatchlimits,setbyStatute49-15-46(4),andcommercialcatchlimits,setbyStatute49-15-38,aresetannually.
Americanoyster(Crassostrea virginica)
28
METHODS OF TAKINGTraditionalmethodsoftakingcrabs:•Traps(pots)•Handline•Dropnet•Dipnet
•Trawls
SPECIAL PROVISIONSArecreationalcrablicenseisrequiredforcrabtrapsonly.
Itshallbeunlawfultohaveanyspongecrabs(egg-bearingcrabs)atanytimeofyear.Allspongecrabsshallimmediatelybereturnedtothewateralive.
Itisillegaltoremovecrabsfromtrapsorpotsforwhichoneisnotspecificallylicensed.Itisillegaltoremovecrabtrapsfromthewaterbetweenthehoursof1/2houraftersunsetto1/2hourbeforesunrise.
Allcrabs,exceptforpeelercrabs(thosethatareabouttoshed)andsoft-shellcrabs(thosethathaverecentlyshed),mustbe5inchesorlargerasmeasuredfromthetipofonelateralspineacrossthebackoftheshelltothetipoftheoppositelateralspine.Peelercrabs,ifunder5inches,mustbeinaseparatecontainerduringcommercialharvestactivities.
Allcrabtrapfloatsmustbevisiblymarkedwithcorrespondingcommercialorrecreationalcrablicensenumber.Inaddition,allcrabtrapsfishedfromaboatmustalsobemarkedwiththevessel’sregistrationnumber.Acrabtrapfloatlinemustbeofnon-floatingorweightedmaterialandeasilycutwithaknife.Allfloatsmustmeasure6inchesindiameter.Itisillegaltoplaceanycrabtrapsothatthetrap,thetraplineorfloatisinanynavigablewaterwayandinterfereswithnormalboattraffic.
All crab traps must be permanently marked for ownership by a corrosion- resistant metal or plastic tag attached to the trap.Thetagmustbesuppliedbythefishermanandmustbelegiblystampedwithlicenseholder’sfullname.
Toprotectoverwinteringcrabs,itisillegaltofishforcrabsbyanymeansbetweenJan.1andMarch31eachyearinthewintercrabsanctuarywestofCatIsland(seelegaldescriptioninCMRTitle22Part4).ContacttheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResourcesat228-374-5000formoreinformationorseemapatwww.dmr.ms.gov/marine-fisheries/shrimp-a-crab.
Crabs
©
29
©
COMMERCIALCommercialcrabbingisprohibitednorthoftheCSXrailroadbridgeinthe 3coastalcountiesofMississippi.Crabsmaybetakenbytrawl,butthetrawlmustnotexceedthemaximumallowabledimensionspecifiedunder“MethodsofTaking”forshrimp(seep.21)andmustcomplywithallotherregulationsgoverningtheuseofatrawl.Crabsincidentallycaughtintrawlsmustbeimme-diatelyreturnedtothewaterunlesstheboatoperatorholdsavalidMississippicommercialcrablicense.Licensedshrimptrawlersandlicensedoysterfisher-menmaykeepuptothreedozenbluecrabsforpersonalconsumption.LicensedcommercialcrabfishermenmayregisterabuoycolorcodewithMarinePatrol.
RECREATIONALArecreationalcrablicense($5)isrequiredtocatchcrabsintrapsforpersonaluse(notforsale).
Itshallbeunlawfulforanypersonrecreationallyfishingforcrabsforpersonaluseorconsumption,bymeansofcrabtrapsorcrabpots,touseinexcessofsixsuchtrapsorpotsperhousehold.Trapsorpotsmustbemarkedwiththeowner’sname,andiftrapsorpotsarebeingfishedfromavessel,thetrapsorpotsmustbemarkedwiththevessel’sregistrationnumber.RecreationalcrabtrapsarenotallowednorthofInterstate10.
DIAMONDBACK TERRAPINS Diamondbackterrapins,atypeofaquaticturtle,occasionallybecometrappedincrabtraps.Ifyoucatchone,pleasecalltheGrandBayNationalEstuarineResearchReserveat228-475-7047.Yourhelpisgreatlyappreciatedinthestudyandprotectionofthisspeciesofconcern.FreeTurtleExcluderDevices(TEDs)forcrabtrapsareavailablefromtheDepartmentofMarineResourcesShrimpandCrabBureau.Call228-374-5000formoreinformation.
30
METHOD OF TAKINGMenhadenaretraditionallytakenusingpurseseines.Boatsandnetsfortakingmenhadenarecommerciallylicensedseparately.
SEASONSMenhadenseasonopensonthe3rdMondayofAprilandclosesonNov.1eachyear.
SPECIAL PROVISIONSPurseseinesfortakingmenhadenmaynotbeusedinanybay,riverorbayou,norwithinonemileoftheshorelinesofHancockorHarrisoncounties.
Purseseinesmaynotbeusedtocatchinexcessof5percentbyweight,inanysinglesetofthenet,anyofthefollowingspecies:
• Bluefish
• Cobia(lingorlemonfish)
• Dolphin
• Jackcrevalle
• Kingmackerel
• Spottedseatrout(speckledtrout)
Italsoisillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardinexcess of10percentbyweightofthetotalcatchanyoftheaforementionedspecies.
Itisfurtherillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardanyquantityofreddrum.
StatisticalagentsoftheDepartmentofMarineResources’OfficeofMarine FisheriesareauthorizedandempoweredtoobtaininformationonallfishandshellfishlandedinMississippi.Thisinformationmaybecollectedfromthefishermenintheformofinterviewsand/orquestionnairesandmayalsobeobtainedfromthepurchaseslipsorlandingrecordsofeachseafooddealer,processororlandingfirm.Allsuchstatisticalinformationobtainedbythe DepartmentofMarineResourceswillremainconfidentialandwillnotbe releasedexceptinaggregateform.
Cooperationwithstatisticalagentsisappreciated.Formoreinformationon thestatisticalprogramandassociateddatareportingrequirements,contact theMississippiDepartmentofMarineResources’OfficeofMarineFisheries.
Menhaden
©
Data Reporting Requirements
31
Certainmarinespeciesareprotectedbyfederallawandincludebutarenotrestrictedtothefollowingspecies:
• Allmarinemammals
•WestIndianmanatee
• Kemp’sRidley,hawksbill,leatherback,loggerheadandgreenseaturtles
• Atlanticsturgeon
•Marinebirds
• Smalltoothandlargetoothsawfish
Shouldanyofthesespeciesbeinadvertentlytakeninnets,onfishinghooksorotherwise,theymustbeimmediatelyreleasedunharmed. Seaturtlesinadvertentlycaughtintrawlsmayappeartobedead,butthe EndangeredSpeciesActof1973requiresthatfishermenattemptresuscitationofsuchseaturtles.Regulationsspecifyusingeitherofthefollowingmethods:
1.Placetheseaturtleonitsbreastplateandelevateitshindquartersseveralinches;OR
2. Placetheturtleonitsbackandpumpitsbreastplatewitheitherhandorfoot.
Theregulationsfurtherspecifythattheturtlesbereleasedoverthesternofthevessel(withenginesinneutral).
InformationonseaturtleobservationsisgreatlyneededinMississippiwaters.Pleasetakenoteofanydistinguishingcharacteristicsandthelocationofthesighting.
Ifeitheraseaturtleormarinemammalisfoundstranded(deadoralive), immediatelynotifythefollowingoffices:• NOAA Fisheries Service, 228-762-4591 or 978-281-9351• Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, 888-SOS-DOLPHIN (888-767-3657)• Department of Marine Resources, 228-374-5000
Pleasenotethatcriminalviolations(intentionallyshooting,killingorharmingendangeredorthreatenedanimals)oftheEndangeredSpeciesActcarry amaximumfineof$20,000andajailsentenceofuptooneyear.Shouldthis actionbeobserved,callNOAAFisheriesServiceorDMRMarinePatrol.
Protected Species
©
32
Marine LitterTheMarineLitterActof1989prohibitsthedumpingofwastes,garbageandotherdebrisfromvesselsandempowersthemarineenforcementofficerstoup-holdandenforcetheprovisionsassetforthintheact.U.S.CoastGuardofficersarefurtherauthorizedtomakearrestsunderfederallaw.
MARINE LITTER REGULATION• “Vessel”meansanyboat,bargeorothervehicleoperatinginthemarineenvi-
ronmentfromthelargestsupertankertothesmallestrecreationalcraft.• “Person”meansanyhumanindividualdischarginggarbagefromland,vessel,
planeorfixedorfloatingplatforms.• “Garbage”meansallfoodwastes,butdoesnotincludefreshfishortheirparts.
Itshallbeunlawfulforanypersonorvesseltodischargeanytypeofplastics,includingsyntheticropes,fishingnets,garbagebagsandothergarbage,includ-ingpaperproducts,glass,metal,dunnage,liningandpackingmaterials,intothemarinewatersofthisstate.
Allmarinasandaccessareasusedbyvesselsshallberequiredtohaveproperdisposalfacilitiesonsite.
Allvesselsshallhaveonboardaclearlymarkedclosed containerfortheproperdisposalofwaste,trashandothergarbage.Signageshallbepostedonboardnotifyingpassengersandcrewthatitisunlawfultodisposeofwaste,trashandothergarbageintothemarinewatersoftheStateofMississippi.
“ClosedContainer”meansanysealedandproperlylabeledreceptacle.Thesizeandvolumeofthecontainershallbedeterminedbythelengthandpurposeofthecruise/voyage,thenumberofpassengersandcrewonboardandtheamountoftrashorgarbagetobegenerated.Closedcontainersshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,bucketsorcanswithlids,orwatertightgarbagebagswithappropri-ateties.ClosedcontainersshallbeclearlyandpermanentlymarkedTRASH withweather-resistantmaterials.
This Marine Litter Sticker may be ob-tained free of charge at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. This sticker is required to be visibly displayed in all vessels (including personal water-craft) within the marine waters of the State of Mississippi.
33
EXCEPTIONSTheregulationscontainedhereinshallnotapplyduringthefollowingemergencies:
•Dischargesofgarbagefromashipforthepurposeofsecuringthesafetyofashipandthoseonboardorsavinglifeatsea.
•Theescapeofgarbageresultingfromdamagetoashiporitsequipment,ifallreasonableprecautionshavebeentakenbeforeandaftertheoccurrenceofthedamagetopreventorminimizetheescape.
•Theaccidentallossofsyntheticfishingnetsorthelossofsyntheticmaterialduringrepairofnets,providedallreasonableprecautionshavebeentakentopreventsuchlosses.
•Refuseorotherflotsamfoundinnetsduringtrawlingactivitiesmaylegallybereturnedtotheseawithoutviolatingtheseregulations.Regulationsprohibittheintentionaldischargeoffishingnetsatsea.
Note that it is illegal to throw trash or allow it to enter into the marine waters of this state from piers, docks, bridges or land.
PENALTIESAnypersonorvesselconvictedofviolatinganyprovisionoftheseregulationsshallbeguiltyofamisdemeanoranduponconvictionshallbepunishedbyafinenottoexceed$500.Eachdayofacontinuingviolationconstitutesasepa-rateviolation.Violationsofmorethan1sectionorsubsectionoftheseregula-tionsorpartsthereofshallbeconsideredseparateoffensesandpunishedassuch.
Anypersonorvesselconvictedofa2ndorsubsequentviolationofanyprovi-sionsoftheseregulationsshallbeguiltyofamisdemeanoranduponconvictionshallbepunishedbyafinenottoexceed$10,000.
Anypersonviolatingfederalmarinelitterlawsmayreceivefinesupto$50,000.Aprovisionofthefederallawmayawardaportionofcriminalpenaltiesorcivilfinesassessedagainstaviolationtothepersonwhogivesinformationthatleadstoaconvictionorassessmentofapenalty.
MISSISSIPPI COASTAL CLEANUPAnnually,theDMRsponsorstheMississippiCoastalCleanup,heldthe3rdSaturdayofOctoberaspartoftheInternationalCoastalCleanup,duringwhichcoastalstatesandcountriesaroundtheworlddedicatethedaytoriddingthecoastlineofmarinedebris.Mississippihasoneofthemostsuccessfulcleanupsintheworld.Alongwiththeevent,theDMRpromotesmarinedebrisaware-nessandeducationonpreventionthroughouttheyear.ContacttheDMRorvisitwww.mscoastalcleanup.orgtofindouthowyoucanparticipateinthenextCoastalCleanup,thelargesteventtohelpstopmarinedebris.
34
MISSISSIPPI MONOFILAMENT RECYCLING PROGRAMTheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResourcesandpartnerslaunchedthestate’sMonofilamentRecyclingProgramin2008inanefforttoreducethe
amountoffishinglineintheenvironment.Monofilamentisastrandofstrong,flexibleplasticusedforfishing.Themajorityisnon-degradableinwaterandlastsabout600yearsintheenvironment.
Fishinglinerecyclingtubesandbinscanbefoundatabout30piersandharborsacrosstheMissis-sippiGulfCoast.Carefullydisposingofmonofila-
mentinthesetubesandbinscanhelppreventfishandwildlifeentanglementsanddeath,andthedestruction
ofboatpropellersandintakevalves.
FormoreinformationontheMississippiMonofilamentRecyclingProgramorforalistoftubeandbinlocations,gotowww.dmr.ms.gov andclickonMarineFisheries.
35
Non-nativeinvasivespeciescanharmMississippi’snaturalenvironmentsbyoutcompetingnativeanimalsandplantsforfoodandspace.Aquaticplantscandegradewaterquality,reducingoxygenavailabletonativeaquaticspecies.
Theimpacttofishingandhuntingcanbesubstantial.Fishpopulationscanbereducedbycompetitionfromnon-nativespeciesandreducedwaterquality.Invasiveaquaticplantscancoverthewatersurface,makingfishingimpossible.Reducedwaterqualitymaydegradehabitatforotheranimalsaswell.Non-nativeaquaticplantscanclogmotorintakes,degradeswimmingareasandcanevenreducepropertyvaluesinareaswherenon-nativeaquaticplantshavetakenover.
YOUCANHELPpreventthespreadofnon-nativeinvasiveplantsandanimalsby:
• Removinganyaquaticplantsfromboatpropellers,intakes,trailersandgearbeforeleavingalauncharea.
• Neverreleasingplants,fishoranimalsintoabodyofwaterunlesstheycameoutofthatbodyofwater.
• Eliminatingwaterfromequipmentbeforetransporting.
• Blowingoutjet-skiintakesandwashingboatsandequipmentlandsidebeforetravelingintoanewwaterway.
Formoreinformationoninvasiveaquaticspeciesvisit:www.ProtectYourWaters.net
ToreportinvasivespeciescalltheMississippiDepartmentofMarineResourcesat228-374-5000.
Invasive Species
36
24-Hour License Sales: Call 1-800-5GO-HUNT(1-800-546-4868) or purchase online at www.ms.gov/gf/hunting.
All licenses may be purchased at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Recreational saltwater fishing licenses may be purchased at most Wal-Mart, Kmart, sporting goods stores, bait shops and fishing camps.
For more information contact the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources at 228-374-5000.
ItisamisdemeanortoviolatetheSeafoodLawsandtherulesandregulationsoftheCommissiononMarineResources.
Anyperson,firmorcorporationconvictedofviolatinganyregulationadoptedbytheCommissiononMarineResourcesshallbefinednolessthan$100andnomorethan$500forthe1stoffense,unlessthe1stoffenseiscommittedduringaclosedseason,inwhichcasethefineshallbenolessthan$500andnomorethan$1,000.
Fora2ndoffensewithinaperiodof3years,thefinewillbenolessthan$500andnomorethan$1,000.
Forany3rdorsubsequentoffensewithinaperiodof3years,penaltiesshallincludenolessthan$2,000andnomorethan$4,000,orimprisonmentinthecountyjailforaperiodnotexceeding30days.Uponconvictionofa3rdorsubsequentoffense,thecourtwillrevoketherightofthepersonorboatinviolationfromtakinganyseafoodfromstatewatersfor1year.
Inadditiontoanyotherpenalties,theCommissiononMarineResourcesmaysuspendthelicenseofanypersonconvictedofaviolationandanyvesselusedintheviolationforaperiodnottoexceed5daysforthe1stoffense,andape-riodnottoexceed30daysforthe2ndoffense.
Upon conviction of five seafood violations within a period of five years, the Commission on Marine Resources may revoke the license of the convicted party and the vessel used in the offenses, and may prohibit indefinitely the issuance of a license to that person or vessel.
TheCommissiononMarineResourcesisalsoauthorizedtoimposeadminis-trativepenaltiesofnotmorethan$10,000foreachviolationoftherulesandregulationsoftheCommission.
General Penalties
License Sales
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
State of MississippiThe Honorable Phil Bryant, GovernorMississippi Commission on Marine Resources Vernon Asper, Ph.D., Chairman Nonprofit Environmental Hancock County OrganizationJimmy Taylor, Vice Chairman Charter Boat OperatorHarrison CountyRichard Gollott Commercial Seafood ProcessorHarrison CountySteve Bosarge Commercial FishermanJackson CountyShelby Drummond Recreational FishermanJackson CountyMississippi Department of Marine ResourcesWilliam W. Walker, Ph.D., Executive Director Printed June 2012For more information, contact the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, 1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530, 228-374-5000. Visit our website: dmr.ms.gov.
The information provided in this guide is an overview of regulations in effect as of July 1, 2012, concerning saltwater fishing in Mississippi’s marine waters prepared in accordance with Mississippi Code Annotated §49-15-18. However, this guide is not, nor is it intended to be, a definitive publication of all regulations appertaining to saltwater fishing in Mississippi. Complete texts of all regulations and statutes are available at the office of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and on the MDMR website. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, readers are reminded that in the event of a conflict between state statute and CMR regulations, state statute will take precedence. If you are fishing in another state or federal waters, please consult fishing regulations that would be applicable. Readers are further reminded that the regulations are subject to change.
Federal regulations may differ from state regulations. For federal regulations, contact the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at 888-833-1844 or gulfcouncil.org.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council offers a free fishing regulations App for the Android and the iPhone. The Apps provide immediate access to the most up-to-date commercial and recreational federal fishing regulations for species managed by the Gulfof Mexico Fishery Management Council. Visit the App Store or Android Market to download the App or simply scan the appropriate QR code below with your iPhone or Droid.
Coastal Resources...
Yours to Treasure. Yours to Protect.
Your purchase of a fishing license supports research and restoration that enhances fishing opportunities in coastal Mississippi.
Visit: wsfr75.com
iPhone Droid
Guide toMississippiSaltwater
Fishing
2012-2013Mississippi Department
of Marine Resources
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530
228-374-5000dmr.ms.gov
ILLUSTRATIONS by Joe Jewell ©, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
Each year, the cover of “Guide to Mississippi Saltwater Fishing: Rules and Regulations” highlights a different Fisheries bureau within MDMR.The 2012-2013 cover represents the Shellfish Bureau.
This public document is not for sale, and all rights to the publication are reserved to the MDMR. Copies may be made for educational purposes only.
Printed on recycled paper
Rules andRegulations
