Guide toMississippiSaltwater

Fishing

2013-2014Mississippi 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 2013-2014 cover represents the Finfish 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

7814 cover.indd 1 7/17/13 3:24 PM

1

Table of ContentsFISHING AND BOAT LICENSES............................................................................... 2LICENSE FEES ........................................................................................................ 3RECREATIONAL FISHING LIMITS............................................................................ 4COMMERCIAL FISHING LIMITS ............................................................................. 6CATCH AND RELEASE ............................................................................................ 7SHARKS................................................................................................................. 8 Recreational & Commercial Shark Limits CommonSharksinMississippiWatersSALTWATER FINFISH ........................................................................................... 12

Methods of Taking Special Provisions Venting Regulations Catch Restrictions CommonFinfishinMississippiWatersRECREATIONAL FISHING ..................................................................................... 18 Special Provisions CharterandHeadBoatsMISSISSIPPISPORTFISHINGRECORDS ................................................................20SHRIMP ............................................................................................................... 21 Commercial&RecreationalMethodsofTaking RestrictedAreas Season LegalSize SpecialProvisions Live-Bait ShrimpingOYSTERS .............................................................................................................. 24 MethodsofTaking DefinitionstoKnow OysterReefs SpecialProvisions Seasons

Legal Size & Catch LimitsCRABS ................................................................................................................. 28 MethodsofTaking SpecialProvisions Commercial&Recreational Diamondback TerrapinsMENHADEN........................................................................................................ 30DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS..................................................................... 30PROTECTED SPECIES ........................................................................................... 31MARINE LITTER................................................................................................... 32 Marine Litter Regulation & Exceptions Penalties Mississippi Coastal Cleanup MississippiMonofilamentRecyclingProgramINVASIVESPECIES ............................................................................................... 35GENERALPENALTIES/LICENSESALES ..................................................................36

Artwork by Joe Jewell ©

7814.indd 1 7/18/13 11:37 AM

2

Fishing and Boat Licenses FISHING LICENSESAMississippisaltwaterfishinglicenseisrequiredforanyonetoharvestfishincoastalandmarinewaters(definedasthosesouthofInterstate10)ofthisstateexcept:•Anypersonundertheageof16.• Residentswhoaredeemed100%service-connecteddisabledbytheVeteransAdministrationor100%disabledthroughtheSocialSecurityAdministration.Proof required.

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 one (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.

7814.indd 2 7/18/13 11:37 AM

3

TYPEOFLICENSE RESIDENT LICENSE FEESSHRIMPRecreational $15Shrimp/CaptainUnder30’Boat $60Shrimp/Captain30’to45’Boat $85Shrimp/CaptainOver45’Boat $110Mississippi Captain’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.CalltheMDMRat228-374-5000forcurrentlicensefeesifyouareanonresident.

7814.indd 3 7/18/13 11:37 AM

4

Recreational Fishing Limits*

*It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license.**Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.***Recreationalfishermenmaypossessone(1)pervesselwithinfour-fishaggregate.****Recreationalfishermenmaypossesstwo(2)withinfour-fishaggregate.wRecreationalfishermenmayretainonlyonereddrumover30inches.wwwForopeningsandclosingsoffederallyregulatedfishgotowww.gulfcouncil.org.TL=TOTALLENGTH-Straightlinedistancefromtipofsnouttotipoftail.FL=FORKLENGTH-Straightlinedistancefromtipofsnouttoforkoftail.CFL=CURVEDFORKLENGTH-Tipoftheupperjawtotheforkoftail measuredalongthecontourofthemiddleofthebody.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.

MinimumLengthinInches

NumberofFishBag/Possession

COBIA 33 FL 2FLOUNDER 12 TL 15REDDRUMw 18TLto30TL** 3SPOTTEDSEATROUT 13 TL 15KING MACKERELwww 24 FL 2SPANISHMACKERELwww NoLimit 15TRIPLETAIL 18 TL 3VERMILLIONSNAPPERwww 10 TL

20(inaggregate)

LANESNAPPERwww 8 TLGRAY TRIGGERFISHwww 14 FLALMACO JACKwww NoLimitGOLDFACE TILEFISHwww NoLimitANCHOR TILEFISHwww NoLimitTILEFISHwww NoLimitBLACKLINE TILEFISHwww NoLimitBLUELINETILEFISHwww NoLimitGOLIATHGROUPERwww NoTake NoTakeNASSAUGROUPERwww NoTake NoTakeWARSAWGROUPERwww NoLimit 1pervessel***RED&YELLOWFINGROUPERSwww 20 TL

4(inaggregate)

BLACKGROUPERwww 24 TLGAGGROUPERwww 22 TL****SCAMPwww 16 TLSPECKLEDHINDwww NoLimit 1pervessel***REDSNAPPERwww 16 TL 2GRAY,SCHOOLMASTER,

12 TL

10(inaggregate)

CUBERA,DOG,MAHOGANY&YELLOWTAILSNAPPERSwwwMUTTONSNAPPERwww 16 TLQUEEN,BLACKFIN,

No LimitSILK&WENCHMANSNAPPERSwww

7814.indd 4 7/18/13 11:37 AM

5

Recreational Fishing Limits*

Federalregulationsmaydifferfromstateregulations.Forfederalregulations,contacttheGulfofMexicoFisheryManagementCouncilat888-833-1844orwww.gulfcouncil.org.

*It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license.**Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.***Asmeasuredfromthetipofonelateralspineacrossthebackoftheshell tothetipoftheoppositelateralspine.****Recreationalfishermenmaypossesstwo(2)withinfour-fishaggregate.wRecreationalfishermenmayretainonlyone(1)reddrumover30inches.wwPossessionofcertaincoastalsharksisprohibited.Seep.8andfederalregulationsformoreinformation.wwwForopeningsandclosingsoffederallyregulatedfishgotowww.gulfcouncil.org.Bluefin tuna limitsarevariablethroughouttheseasonanddependonthesizecategory.Refertowww.nmfspermits.comorcall888-872-8862forupdatedinformation.Allblue-fincatchesmustbereportedtotheMDMROfficeofMarineFisheries,1141BayviewAve.,Biloxi,MS39530,orcall228-374-5000.

LOWERJAWFORK LENGTH

HOW TO MEASURE FISHTL = TOTAL LENGTHFL = FORK LENGTH

©

MinimumLengthinInches

NumberofFishBag/Possession

YELLOWMOUTH,YELLOWEDGE,MISTY&SNOWYGROUPERS

NoLimit 4(inaggregate)**

ROCK&REDHINDGROUPERS

NoLimit 4(inaggregate)**

GREATER AMBERJACKwww 30 FL 1LESSER AMBERJACK

14FLto22FL**5

(inaggregate)&BANDEDRUDDERFISHwwwHOGFISHwww 12 FL 5BIGEYETUNAwww 27 CFL NoLimitYELLOWFINTUNAwww 27 CFL 3BLUEMARLINwww 99lowerjawFL NoLimitWHITEMARLINwww 66lowerjawFL NoLimitSAILFISHwww 63lowerjawFL NoLimitLONGBILLSPEARFISHwww NoTake NoTakeSHARKS(LARGECOASTALS

37 TL1perperson/

upto3pervessel&PELAGICS)ww/wwwSHARKS(SMALLCOASTALS)ww/www 25 TL 4CRABS-HARDSHELLS 5*** NoLimitCRABS-SOFTSHELL NoLimit NoLimit

7814.indd 5 7/18/13 11:37 AM

6

MinimumLengthinInches

NumberofFishBag/Possession

COBIAw 33 FL 2MULLET 10 TL NoLimitFLOUNDER 12 TL Quota***REDDRUMww 18TLto30TL* Quota***SPOTTEDSEATROUT 14 TL Quota***KING MACKEREL 24 FL 3,000lbsSPANISHMACKEREL 14 FL NoLimitGOLIATHGROUPER NoTake NoTakeNASSAUGROUPER NoTake NoTakeREDGROUPER 18 TL

NoLimitYELLOWFINGROUPER 20 TLGAGGROUPER 22 TLBLACKGROUPER 24 TL NoLimitSCAMP 16 TL NoLimitTRIPLETAIL 18 TL 3REDSNAPPER 13 TL** IFQ**VERMILLIONSNAPPER 10 TL NoLimitLANESNAPPER 8 TL NoLimitGRAY TRIGGERFISH 14 FL NoLimitGRAY,SCHOOLMASTER,

12 TL NoLimitCUBERA,DOG,MAHOGANY&YELLOWTAILSNAPPERSMUTTONSNAPPER 16 TL NoLimitGREATER AMBERJACK 36 FL NoLimitLESSER AMBERJACK 14FLto22FL* NoLimit&BANDEDRUDDERFISHHOGFISH 12 FL NoLimitBIGEYETUNA 27 CFL NoLimitBLUEFINTUNA NoTake NoTakeYELLOWFINTUNA 27 CFL NoLimitBLUEMARLIN NoTake NoTakeWHITEMARLIN NoTake NoTakeSAILFISH NoTake NoTakeLONGBILLSPEARFISH NoTake NoTakeCRABS-HARDSHELLS 5**** NoLimitCRABS-SOFTSHELL NoLimit NoLimit

Commercial Fishing Limits

wItisillegaltosellcobiacaughtinMississippiterritorialwatersorcobialandedinMississippi.wwCommercialfishermenmayretainonlyonereddrumover30inches.*Rangerepresentsminimumandmaximumlengths.**It is illegaltosell,barterortradeanyspeciesofreeffishwithoutpossessingtheproperfederalpermitsand/orlicensesrequiredbytheNOAAGulfofMexicoReefFishFisheryManagementPlanandcomplyingwithanyotherconditionssetforthbyfederalorstateregulationsforthemanagementoftheidentifiedreeffish. IFQ=IndividualFishingQuota.***TheseasonforflounderandreddrumwillrunfromJan.1throughDec.31eachyear.Theseasonforspot-tedsea-troutwillrunfromFeb.1throughSept.30eachyear.Totalallowablecatch(TAC)limitsare74,000poundsforflounder,35,000poundsforreddrumand50,000poundsforspottedseatrout.ThecommercialTAC forspottedseatroutis50,000pounds,whichisdividedintotwofishingperiods.Formoreinformationonthecommercialspottedseatroutseason,seepage15.Whenlandingreports,asrequiredbylaw,showtheTAChasbeenreachedforagivenspecies,MDMRwill,withadequatenotice,issueanewsreleaseandpublicnoticeclosingstatewaterstocommercialfishingforthatspeciesfortheremainderofthatfishingyear.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.

7814.indd 6 7/18/13 11:37 AM

7

WHY RELEASE FISH?1.Afishistoovaluablearesourcetobecaughtonlyonce.2.Apersonalcommitmenttoconservationaddsfuntofishing.3.Size,seasonandbagregulationsmakereleaseofsomefishmandatory.

HOW TO BEGIN1.Usebarblessorcirclehooksthataremadefrommetalsthatrustquickly.2.Setyourhook immediately.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

Note: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Commission on Marine Resources. Advance notice of such closures shall be given.

7814.indd 7 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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

7814.indd 8 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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 LIMITSRecreationalfishermenmaypossessnomorethanone(1)ofthelargecoastalandpelagicsharkspeciesperpersonandnomorethanthree(3)ofthelargecoastalandpelagicsharkspeciespervessel.

Theminimumsizelimitforlargecoastalsharksis37inchestotallength.

Ofthesmallcoastalsharkspeciesgroup,recreationalfishermenmaypossessfour(4)sharksperpersonperday.

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

InterdorsalRidge

1st Dorsal Fin Origin

Pectoral Fin Rear Margin Pelvic FinAnal Fin

Caudal Keel

1st Dorsal Fin

Snout

Caudal Fin

Claspers(males only)

7814.indd 9 7/18/13 11:37 AM

10

CommonSharksinMississippiWaters

As the name indicates, this shark’s fins are tipped in black except for the anal fin.It is a medium-size shark, but can reach lengths of 9 feet. This shark is very activewhen hooked and will jump out of the water.

Blacktip SharkCarcharhinus limbatus

©

Oneofthelargestsharkscommonlyfoundininshorewaters,itcanreachlengthsofgreaterthan10feet.Oneofthefewsharksthatregularlymoveintofreshwater.Themostdistinguishingcharacteristicofthissharkis itslargerobustbody.Thissharkisalsocharacterizedbyashortsnoutthatisbluntandrounded.

Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas

©

7814.indd 10 7/18/13 11:37 AM

11

CommonSharksinMississippiWaters

Thespinnersharkgetsitsnamefromabehaviorwhereitleapsoutofthewaterandspinsinmidair.Itisverysimilartotheblacktipshark,butallitsfinsareblack-tipped,includingtheanalfin.Itcanreachlengthsupto9feetandisextremelyactivewhenhooked.

Spinner SharkCarcharhinus brevipinna

©

Themostcommonshark inMississippicoastalwaters, this shark rarelyexceeds4feetinlength.Itischaracterizedbyaslenderbuildandwhiteblotchesonthebody.Theoriginoftheseconddorsalfinisaboutmid-baseoftheanalfin.Thesesharksarealsocalled“wormies”bycoastalfishermen.

Atlantic Sharpnose SharkRhizoprionodon terraenovae

©

7814.indd 11 7/18/13 11:37 AM

12

METHODS OF TAKINGARecreationalFishinglicenseisrequiredforallmethodsoffinfishharvest.

SaltwaterfinfishmaybetakenfromMississippiwatersbyanyofthefollowingmethods:

•Hookandline:canepole,handlineorrodandreel.

•Trotline:Anyonetrotline fishingsouthofInterstate10mustberegisteredwithMDMRandbeissuedauniquenumberthatistobeattached,alongwithfisher-man’sname,tobothendsoftrotlineonmetaltags,writteninindelibleinksothatitisreadablebyMDMRpersonnel.

•Spearorgig.

•Castnetsandbrill(brail)nets:Nottoexceed12feetinradius,maybeusedinmarinewatersonly.Nofreshwaterspeciesmaybeinafisherman’sposses-sionwhileheisusingacastnetorbrillnet.

•Small-meshbeachseinesunder100feetinlengthandwithamaximum1/4-inch-squaremeshsize.

•Trammelorgillnets,seinesoranysimilarcontrivancemustbeunder1,200feetintotallength.Gillandtrammelnetsmusthaveaminimum1-1/2-inch-squaremeshsize.FromOct.15throughDec.15ofeachyear,gillandtram-melnetsmusthaveaminimumsquare-inchmeshsizeof1-3/4inches.GillandtrammelnetsmustbemadeofMDMR-approveddegradablematerials.

•Permittedeeltrapsmusthaveaminimumof1/2-by1-inch-squaremeshsize.

SPECIAL PROVISIONSCommercialfishingisprohibitednorthoftheCSXRailroadbridgeinthethreecoastalcountiesofMississippi.

Inaddition,theNationalParkServiceprohibitscommercialfishingwithintheGulfIslandsNationalSeashoreboundary,whichisa1-mileperimeteraroundShip,HornandPetitBoisislands.

AnypersonorcompanysellingortransportingforsaleanyspeciesoffishthatdoesnotmeetMississippistatesizelimitsorforwhichtheseasonisclosedmustpossessvaliddocumentationfromthestateorcountryoforiginevidenc-ingthatthefishwerelegallyharvested.

Commercial eel permit: AspecialpermitandregulationsforcommercialeelfishingmustbeobtainedfromtheMDMR.

Allfishtrapsorpotsandeeltrapsorpotsmustbeclearlymarkedwiththeowner’sfullname,permitorlicensenumber.Allfishtrapsorpotsandeeltrapsorpotsmustbecheckedandemptiedatleastonceevery48hours.

Saltwater Finfish

7814.indd 12 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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;thencesoutheasterlyfollowingtheshorelineof thesoutheasternmostpoint

7814.indd 13 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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: Thehookremovaldeviceisrequiredtobeconstructedto allowthehooktobesecuredandthebarbshieldedwithoutre-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

7814.indd 14 7/18/13 11:37 AM

15

CATCH RESTRICTIONSKingmackerelfishingisdefinedasafishingactivityinwhichthesolepurposeistocatchkingmackerel. Catchinginexcessof10percentbyweightofspeciesotherthankingmackerelwhilenetfishingforkingmackerelisprohibited.

Mulletfishingisdefinedasanynet-fishingactivityinwhich90percentormoreofthetotalcatchbyweightconsistsofmullet.Mulletfishingusingtraps,seinesornetsotherthancastorbrillnetsisnotpermittedwithin1,200feetofanypublicorhotelpiernorwithin300feetofanyprivatepier,providedthatsuchpiersareinusableconditionandextend75feetormorefromtheshoreline.Netsmustnotexceed1,200feetinlength.

ThecommercialseasonwillrunfromJan.1toDec.31eachyear.Totalallowablecatch(TAC)limitsforthe2013seasonandeachfollowingwillbe74,000poundsforfloun-der,35,000poundsforreddrumand50,000forspottedseatrout.Whenlandingre-ports,asrequiredbylaw,showtheTAChasbeenreachedforagivenspecies,MDMRwill,withadequatenotice,issueanewsreleaseandpublicnoticeclosingstatewaterstocommercialfishingforthatspeciesfortheremainderofthatfishingyear.

If the first half of the commercial TAC is notmet in the first time period(Feb.1-May31)theextrapoundageshallbeaddedtothesecondtimeperiod(June1-Sept.30).Ifhoweverthe25,000-poundTACisexceeded,theoverageshallbesubtractedfromthesecondtimeperiod(June1-Sept.30).

Purseseinesmaynotbeusedtocatchinexcessof5percentbyweightinanysinglesetofthenet,anyofthefollowingfishes:

•Bluefish •Kingmackerel•Cobia(ling orlemonfish) •Pompano•Dolphin •Spanishmackerel•Jack crevalle •Spottedseatrout(speckledtrout)

Italsoisillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardinexcessof10percentbyweightofthetotalcatchanyoftheaforementionedspecies.

Itisfurtherillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardanyquantityofreddrum(redfish).

Commercialfishermenmayretaintwocobiaperpersonforpersonalconsump-tion.

ItisillegaltosellcobiacaughtinMississippiterritorialwatersorlandedinMississippi.

7814.indd 15 7/18/13 11:37 AM

16

Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus

MulletMugil cephalus

Lane SnapperLutjanus synagris

Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus

Gray Snapper (Mangrove)Lutjanus griseus

Vermillion Snapper (Beeliner)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 easytodistinguishfromtheothersnappersthatoccuralongtheMississippiGulfCoast.Theyarearedcolorwith8 to10yellow/goldhorizontal stripesalongthesidesandablackspotbeneaththedorsalfin.Thisspeciesislessabundantthaneithertheredorvermillionsnappers.

Redfish are another favorite species of localanglers. These bruisers can get upwards of 30pounds.Feedinghabitsareintermediatebetweentheircousins,thebottom-feedingblackdrumandthemore surface-feeding spotted seatrout. Bluecrabsandgoldspoonsareamongthebestbaittouseforcatchingredfish.

This small snapper is commonly found inshorecongregatingaroundseagrassbeds,rockyareasandpiers.Thisspeciesisoftenfoundinmixedschoolswithpinfishandpigfish.Astheygrowlargertheymoveoffshoreoverhardbottomsandcanbecaughtaroundartificialreefs.

Thissnapperisbrightredincoloranditsbodyshapeisnarrowerthanthatoftheredsnapper.Vermillionsnapperaresmallsnapperwhicharefoundinthesamehabitatasredsnapperandcaughtonthesametypeofbaits.

Common Finfish in Mississippi Waters

7814.indd 16 7/18/13 11:37 AM

17

King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla

Gag GrouperMycteroperca microlepis

Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus

CobiaRachycentron canadum

Kings are constantly on themove andmigratealongtheentirenorthernGulfofMexico,wheretheymay congregate around oil rigs, offshorewrecksandshoalwater.Kingmackerelinexcessof60poundsaretakeneachyearbyfishermenwhotrollandcastforthemasfarsouthasthemouthoftheMississippiRiver.

Duringthesummermonthswhenthewatertem-peratures increasealong the coast, juvenilegaggrouper areoften caughtbyfishermenaroundrockpilesandpilings.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 jigor feathermight also entice a big lemon intostriking.

Thisfishisgenerallyfoundarounddeepwateroilrigsorartificialreefs.Greateramberjackcanreachweightsinexcessof100poundsandcanputupanexcellentfightwhenhooked.Thegreateramber-jack is the largestof the fouramberjackspeciesthatoccurintheGulfofMexico.

Common Finfish in Mississippi Waters

Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus

Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili

7814.indd 17 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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.

©

7814.indd 18 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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,iftheyhavefiledafloatplanwiththeMDMRinadvanceandhaveasignedcopyaboardtheirboats.FloatplansareavailableattheMDMRduringregularworkinghours,MondaythroughFridayfrom8a.m.to5p.m.Floatplansmustbefiledandreceivedduringthesetimes,beforetheboat’sdepartureonthefishingtrip.Afloatplandoesnotallowanglerstopossessa2-daycatch.

7814.indd 19 7/18/13 11:37 AM

20

Mississippi Sportfishing RecordsToqualifyforsaltwatersportfishingrecordconsideration,anglersmust completeanofficialapplicationobtainedfromtheMDMRandmustabidebythefollowingrules:

1.Fishmustbehooked,foughtandbroughttonetorgaffbytheapplicantwithnohelpfromanyperson,exceptthatanotherpersonmayoperatethenetorgaff.Catchesonhandlinesorothernonsportingequipmentwillnotbeconsidered.

2. a. ConventionalRecords:Fishmustbelegallycaughtinasportingmanneronrod,reelandlineorpoleandline,and hookedwithanylegalhookorlure.

b.Fly-FishingRecords:Fishmustbelegallycaughtusingconventionalfly- fishingtackle.Thelureusedmustbearecognizedtypeofartificialfly.Treblehooksareprohibited.Theuseofanyothertypeoflureornaturalbait,eithersingularlyorattachedtotheflyisprohibited.The flyusedmustbesubmittedwiththeapplication.

3.Two(2)colorphotographsshouldbesubmittedwitheachapplication:a.One(1)ofanglerandfish.b.One(1)showingaclear,close-upsideviewofthefish.PhotosbecomethepropertyoftheMDMR.

4.FishMUSTbeweighedoncertifiedscalesorscaleslegalfortrade,i.e.,grocerystorescales,etc.Theweighingmusttakeplacein thepresenceoftwowit-nessesotherthantheapplicantwhoMUSTsigntheapplicationformoraseparatestatementattesting thattheywitnessedtheOFFICIALweight.NOprovisionforweightlosswillbeallowed.TheactualweightofthefishATTHETIMEOFWEIGHINGwillbetheOFFICIALWEIGHT.It isalsodesirabletoincludesignature(s)ontheapplicationformofthewitness(es),ifany,totheactualcatchingofthefish.WitnessestotheweightandcatchCANNOTbethesamepersons.Rodeoentriesareconsideredvalidandacceptableweights.

5.LengthofthefishmustbemeasuredinastraightlinefromthetipofthesnouttothetipofthetailANDfromthetipofthesnouttotheforkofthetail(seediagramonp.5).

6.Girthofthefishwillbemeasuredaroundthethickestportionofthebody.

7.ApplicationsforsaltwaterspeciesSHALLbepositivelyidentifiedANDverifiedbyaprofessionalfisheriesbiologistand/orarodeoweighmaster.

8.OnlyfishcaughtinMississippiwatersorfishcaughtinadjacentwatersandlandedinaMississippiportwillbeconsidered.

9.TheMDMRreservestherighttofurthercheckfishidentificationorverificationofwitnessesandtorefuseanyapplicationthatisquestionable.Itwillbeconsidered“justcause”fordisqualificationofcurrentapplicationandanypreviousrecordsestablishedbyanyonewhoknowinglyfalsifiesaRecordApplication.Allruleswillbestrictlyadheredto.ThedecisionoftheMississippiCommissiononMarineResourceswillbefinal.

7814.indd 20 7/18/13 11:37 AM

21

ShrimpCOMMERCIAL METHODS OF TAKINGDuring open seasons and in open areas, saltwater shrimpmay only betakenwith shrimp trawls, trawls, butterflynets, skimmernets, push trawls,beach seines and castnets.Northof thebarrier islands (COLREGSdemarca-

tion line), within theMississippi Sound, shrimpmayonly betakenwithasinglenet,no larger than50 feetalongheadropeand60feetalongfootrope,ornotmorethantwonets,eachnolargerthan25feetonheadropeand32feetonfootrope.Atest(ortry)trawlnolongerthan12feetalongheadropeand

15feetalongfootropeandusedwithboardsnotmorethan30inchesinlengthispermitted.Trawldoorsshallnotexceed8feetby43inches.

Licensedshrimptrawlersmaykeepupto25poundsintotalofwhitetrout,croaker,blackdrum,groundmullet,gafftopsailcatfishandflounderandthreedozenbluecrabsforpersonalconsumption.Non-residentlicensedshrimptrawlersmayonlykeepthisallowanceiftheirrespectivestatehasareciprocalagreementwithMississippi.

Itshallbeunlawfultouseskimmertrawlsorwingnetswithamaximumsizegreaterthan25feetontheheadropeand32feetonthefootrope.

Allrecreationalandcommercialshrimpvesselswithamechanicalassistedre-trievalsystemmusthaveaTurtleExcluderDevice(TED).Skimmertrawlvesselsmayuse55-minutetowtimesinsteadofTEDs.ContactNOAA228-762-4591formoreinformationonthesefederalrequirements.

RECREATIONAL METHODS OF TAKINGArecreationalshrimplicenseisrequiredforshrimpharvestbytrawl.Rec-reationalshrimpharvestbycastnetdoesnotrequirearecreationalfishinglicense,unless retainingfinfish.

Recreationallyharvestedshrimpcannotbesold.

Allcrabsandfinfishharvestedbyrecreationalfishermenmaybekeptforper-sonalconsumption,butMUST meetminimumsizeandcreellimits.

Castnetsorbrill(brail)netsnotexceeding12-feetmaximumradiusmaybeusedtocatchupto50poundsofshrimp(headson)perperson,perdayforper-sonalconsumptiononlyinthebayslocatedwithinandsurroundingthecitiesofBaySt.Louis,Biloxi,OceanSprings,GautierandPascagoula.

Personscatchingshrimpwithcastnetsorbrillnetsshallnotremovetheheadsoftheshrimponsite.

Smallmeshbeachseinesunder100feetinlengthandwithamaximum1/4- inch-squaremeshsizearepermitted.

Holdersofarecreationalshrimptrawlinglicensearelimitedtotheuseofasinglenetmeasuringnolargerthan16feetalongtheheadrope.

7814.indd 21 7/18/13 11:37 AM

22

RESTRICTED AREASTrawlingisnotgenerallypermittedinanyareawithin1/2mileofthemainland,exceptbydulylicensedlive-baitdealers.PleasecontacttheMDMRformoredetailsonclosedareas.

TrawlingisprohibitednorthoftheIntracoastalWaterway(tugboatchannel)startingatmidnightDec.31ofeachyear.TheareasouthoftheIntracoastal Waterway(tugboatchannel)willbeclosedtotrawlingafterApril30ofeachyearandpriortotheopeningofshrimpseason(specialextensionsmaybemadebytheCommissiononMarineResourcespendingsamplingfindings).

Itshallbeunlawfultorecreationallyorcommerciallytrawlwithintheboundar-iesoftheGulfIslandsNationalSeashore,whichisa1-mileperimeteraroundShip,HornandPetitBoisislands.

SEASONShrimpseasonisofficiallyopenedby publicnoticeatsuchtimethatthe MDMR’sOfficeofMarineFisherieshasdeterminedthattheshrimphavereachedlegalsize.

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-tions imposedareintendedtoensurethatthisservicemaybeperformedwithminimalimpactonshrimpandfishpopulations.

7814.indd 22 7/18/13 11:37 AM

23

Writtenapplicationforlive-baitlicensesmustbemadetotheMississippi CommissiononMarineResources.

Shrimpof100counttothepoundaretheminimumlegalsizeforlicensedlive-baitdealers.Live-baitdealersmustmarktheirboatsandtransportvehicleswiththedesignation“LIVEBAIT”inlettersatleast6incheshighonboththeportandstarboardsidesofthevesselandatleast4incheshighonthetransportvehicle.Thenameofthebaitcampmustbesimilarlydisplayedontheboatandtrans-portvehicle.

Live-baitboatsmustbeequippedtoadequatelymaintainliveshrimponboard.Suchboatsalsoarerestrictedtotowsof25minutesorlessandarenotpermit-tedtohaveonboardinexcessof30poundsofdeadshrimpatanytime.

Live-bait trawling is permittedonly during thehours beginning 30minutesbefore sunrise andending at sunset, thenonlyusing a trawlno larger than16feetontheheadropeand22feetonthefootrope,exceptareaswestofBayouCaddy,wheretrawlsmaybe25feetonthe headropeand32feetonthefootrope.Special areasmaybeopened to live-bait trawlingandadditional restrictionsimposed.

Fishcaughtcoincidentaltoalive-baitoperationmayberetainedandsoldforchum.Fishretainedmustbeoflegalcommercialsize.However,ifcrabsaretobekept,thedealerisrequiredtoholdavalidMississippicommercialcrablicense.

Live-baitcampsmustmeetthefollowingspecialrequirements:

• Eachcampmusthaveadequateholdingandaeratingsystems,whichmustbecleanedofdeadshrimpatleastevery12hours.

• Nobulksalesofdeadshrimparepermitted.Deadshrimpmaybesoldonlywiththeheadsattachedandincontainersholdingnomorethan16ounces.Nomorethanfive(5)16-ouncecontainersmaybesoldtoanindividualinone(1)day.

• Someonemustbereadilyavailabletoservecustomersduringappropriatehours,andeachlive-baitdealerapplicationmustincludethesehours,atleasteighthoursper24-hourperiod.

• Locationofthecampmustbeaccessibletothegeneralpublicbypublicroadorwaterslocatedwithinthethreecoastalcounties.

Purchasingdeadshrimpinbulkquantitiesfromalive-baitdealerisillegalandpunishablebya$5,000fineforthefirstoffense.AdditionalinformationandregulationsgoverninglivebaitareavailablefromtheMDMR.

7814.indd 23 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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 radionuclides may 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,” 2011 Revision.

7814.indd 24 7/18/13 11:37 AM

25

OYSTER REEFS OystersmaybetakenonlyfromthosewatersapprovedforshellfishharvestbytheCommissiononMarineResources.Theseareawatersaresubjecttoreclass- ification.

Theharvesting,shucking,processingandsaleofoystersmustconformtoallregulationsspecifiedbystatestatuteandintheregulationadoptedbythe CommissiononMarineResources.

Severalnaturalreefsarelocatedinapprovedwaters.Theyinclude:

• SouthernPortionsofthePassMarianneReef

• TelegraphReef

• BuoyReef

• UmbrellaReef

• PelicanKeyReef

• Fletcher’sKeyReef

Themajornaturaloysterreefsknowntobelocatedwithinconditionallyapprovedwatersinclude:

• NorthernPortionsofthePassMarianneReef

• St.JoeReef(St.Joseph’sPointReef)

• WavelandReef

• St.StanislausReef

• SquareHandkerchiefReef

• HendersonPointReef

• BaySt.LouisReef

• KittiwakeReef(LongBeachReef)

• WhiteHouseReef

• NorthandSouthRigolets

• MiddleBay

Followingarainfall,riverstageorotherpollutionevent,conditionallyapprovedreefsandaffectedprivatelyleasedareasmaybetemporarilyclosedtooyster-ingwhenpoorwater-qualityconditionsexist.Suchclosuresarereleasedtolocalnewspapers,televisionandradiomedia.PertinentinformationabouttheopeningandclosingofreefsisavailablebycallingtheMDMR toll-free 24-hour Oyster Information Hotline at 228-374-5167 or 800-385-5902. Theinformationmaybeupdateddailyduringoysterseason. InformationonthecurrentstatusofanyshellfishgrowingwatersinthisstatemaybeobtainedfromtheMDMR.

OysterSpat

©

7814.indd 25 7/18/13 11:37 AM

26

SPECIAL PROVISIONSBothrecreationalandcommercialoysterharvestersmustpurchasealicensefromtheMDMR.

OysterstakenfromMississippiwatersmustbetagged.ThesetagsareissuedbytheMDMRatofficiallydesignatedcheck-in,check-outstations.Thesestationswillbeidentifiedintheopeningorderforoysterseason.Bothcommercialandrecreationaloysterharvestersmustcheckinatthedesignatedcheckstationbeforegoingtoreefsandmustcheckoutatthesamestation.

Tagsareissuedatthetimeofinspection.Eachtagmustbecompletedwith theharvester’sname,license/identificationnumber,harvestdate,harvestareaandtheshell-stockdealer’snameandidentificationnumberiftheoystersaretobesold.TagsmustbeaffixedtothesackswiththefastenersprovidedbytheMDMR.AllharvestersarerequiredtopayashellretentionfeetotheMDMRonthedayofharvest.Shellretentionfeeswillbeusedtofurtheroysterproductioninthestate.

OysterstakenfromprivateleasesmustbesodesignatedbytagsindicatingtheofficialleasenumbersissuedbytheMDMR.

Oysterstakenforpersonalconsumptionalsomustbeinspectedandatagwillbeissuedforeachsack.Suchtagswillidentifythatthecontentsarenottobesold.

Eachboatorvesselusedtoharvestortransportshellfishisrequiredtohaveonboardafunctional,approvedmarinesanitationdevice(MSD),portabletoiletorotherapprovedsewagedisposalreceptacledesignedtocontainhumansewage.

Oystersdestinedforinterstatecommercemustoriginatefromacertified Mississippidealerwithafixedcoolerfacility.

AnyoysterstakenfromotherthanMississippiwatersmustbeaccompaniedbyabillofladingindicatingthepointoforigin.

OystersharvestedoutsideofMississippiwatersandtransportedbywaterintothestatemustapplyforapermitissuedbytheDepartmentofMarineResour-cesandcomplywiththeprovisionsofthepermit.

BetweenMay1andSept.30,harvestvesselsmusthaveanawningorsimilarcoveringaboveshellstocktoprovideprotectionfromthesun.

7814.indd 26 7/18/13 11:37 AM

27

SEASONSThecommercialoysterseasonisregulatedbytheCommissiononMarineResourcesandnoticethereofwillbedulypublishedinlocalnewspapersandreleasedtoboththeradioandtelevisionmedia.

Duringopenseason,oystersmaybetakenonlyduringdaylighthours.

LEGAL SIZE LIMITSOysterstakeninMississippiwatersmustbeatleast3inchesfromhingetobill.Attimes,however,theMDMRmayadjustthislimituponpublicnoticetothateffect.

LEGAL CATCH LIMITSRecreationalcatchlimits,setbyStatute49-15-46(4),andcommercialcatchlimits,setbyStatute49-15-38,aresetannually.

Americanoyster(Crassostrea virginica)

7814.indd 27 7/18/13 11:37 AM

28

METHODS OF TAKINGTraditionalmethodsoftakingcrabs:

• Traps(pots)

• Handline

• Dropnet

• Dipnet

• Trawls

SPECIAL PROVISIONSArecreationalcrablicenseisrequiredforcrabtrapsonly.

Itshallbeunlawfultohaveanyspongecrabs(egg-bearingcrabs)atanytimeofyear.Allspongecrabsshallimmediatelybereturnedtothewateralive.

Itisillegaltoremovecrabsfromtrapsorpotsforwhichoneisnotspecificallylicensed.Itisillegaltoremovecrabtrapsfromthewaterbetweenthehoursof1/2 houraftersunsetto1/2hourbeforesunrise.

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).ContacttheMDMRat228-374-5000formoreinformationorseemapatwww.dmr.ms.gov/marine-fisheries/shrimp-a-crab.

Crabs

©

7814.indd 28 7/18/13 11:37 AM

29

©

COMMERCIALCommercialcrabbingisprohibitednorthoftheCSXrailroadbridgeinthe 3coastalcountiesofMississippi.Crabsmaybetakenbytrawl,butthetrawlmustnotexceedthe maximumallowabledimensionspecifiedunder“MethodsofTaking”forshrimp(seep.21)andmustcomplywithallotherregulationsgoverningtheuseofatrawl.Crabsincidentallycaughtintrawlsmustbeimme-diatelyreturnedtothewaterunlesstheboatoperatorholdsavalidMississippicommercialcrablicense.Licensedshrimptrawlersandlicensedoysterfisher-menmaykeepuptothreedozenbluecrabsforpersonalconsumption.LicensedcommercialcrabfishermenmayregisterabuoycolorcodewithMarinePatrol.

RECREATIONALArecreationalcrablicense($5)isrequiredtocatchcrabsintrapsforpersonaluse(notforsale).Thetakingofcrabswithdropnetsispermittedwithoutalicense.

Itshallbeunlawfulforanypersonrecreationallyfishingforcrabsforpersonaluseorconsumption,bymeansofcrabtrapsorcrabpots,touseinexcessofsixsuchtrapsorpotsperhousehold.Trapsorpotsmustbemarkedwiththeowner’sname,andiftrapsorpotsarebeingfishedfromavessel,thetrapsorpotsmustbemarkedwiththevessel’sregistrationnumber.RecreationalcrabtrapsarenotallowednorthofInterstate10.

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPINS Diamondbackterrapins,atypeofaquaticturtle,occasionallybecometrappedincrabtraps.Ifyoucatchone,pleasecalltheGrandBayNationalEstuarineResearchReserveat228-475-7047.Yourhelpisgreatlyappreciatedinthestudyandprotectionofthisspeciesofconcern.FreeTurtleExcluderDevices(TEDs)forcrabtrapsareavailablefromtheMDMRShrimpandCrabBureau. Call228-374-5000formoreinformation.

7814.indd 29 7/18/13 11:37 AM

30

METHOD OF TAKINGMenhadenaretraditionallytakenusingpurseseines.Boatsandnetsfortakingmenhadenarecommerciallylicensedseparately.

SEASONSMenhadenseasonopensonthe3rdMondayofAprilandclosesonNov.1eachyear.

SPECIAL PROVISIONSPurseseinesfortakingmenhadenmaynotbeusedinanybay,riverorbayou,norwithinonemileof theshorelinesofHancockorHarrisoncounties.

Purseseinesmaynotbeusedtocatchinexcessof5percentbyweight,inanysinglesetofthenet,anyofthefollowingspecies:

• Bluefish

• Cobia(lingorlemonfish)

• Dolphin

• Jackcrevalle

• Kingmackerel

• Spottedseatrout(speckledtrout)

Italsoisillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardinexcess of10percentbyweightofthetotalcatchanyoftheaforementionedspecies.

Itisfurtherillegalforanyvesselcarryingapurseseinetohaveonboardanyquantityofreddrum.

Menhaden

©

StatisticalagentsoftheMDMR’sOfficeofMarineFisheriesareauthorizedandempoweredtoobtaininformationonallfishandshellfishlandedinMississippi.Thisinformationmaybecollectedfromthefishermenintheformofinterviewsand/orquestionnairesandmayalsobeobtainedfromthepurchaseslipsorlandingrecordsofeachseafooddealer,processororlandingfirm.AllsuchstatisticalinformationobtainedbytheMDMRwillremainconfidentialandwillnotbereleasedexceptinaggregateform.

Cooperationwithstatisticalagentsisappreciated.Formoreinformationon thestatisticalprogramandassociateddatareportingrequirements,contact theMDMR’sOfficeofMarineFisheries.

Data Reporting Requirements

7814.indd 30 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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,callNOAAFisheriesServiceorMDMRMarinePatrol.

Protected Species

©

7814.indd 31 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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-ing paperproducts,glass,metal,dunnage,liningandpackingmaterials,intothemarinewatersofthisstate.

Allmarinasandaccessareasusedbyvesselsshallberequiredtohaveproperdisposalfacilitiesonsite.

Allvesselsshallhaveonboardaclearly markedclosed containerfortheproperdisposalofwaste,trashandothergarbage.Signageshallbepostedonboardnotifyingpassengersandcrewthatitisunlawfultodisposeofwaste,trashandothergarbageintothemarinewatersoftheStateofMississippi.

“ClosedContainer”meansanysealedandproperlylabeledreceptacle.Thesizeandvolumeofthecontainershallbedeterminedbythelengthandpurposeofthecruise/voyage,thenumberofpassengersandcrewonboardandtheamountoftrashorgarbagetobegenerated.Closedcontainersshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,bucketsorcanswithlids,orwatertightgarbagebagswithappropri-ateties.ClosedcontainersshallbeclearlyandpermanentlymarkedTRASH withweather-resistantmaterials.

This Marine Litter Sticker may be obtained free of charge at the MDMR. This sticker is required to be visibly displayed in all vessels (including personal watercraft) within the marine waters of the State of Mississippi.

7814.indd 32 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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.Violationsofmorethanone(1)sectionorsubsectionoftheseregulationsorpartsthereofshallbeconsideredseparateoffensesandpunishedassuch.

Anypersonorvesselconvictedofa2ndorsubsequentviolationofanyprovi-sionsoftheseregulationsshallbeguiltyofamisdemeanoranduponconvictionshallbepunishedbyafinenottoexceed$10,000.

Anypersonviolatingfederalmarinelitterlawsmayreceivefinesupto$50,000.Aprovisionofthefederallawmayawardaportionofcriminalpenaltiesorcivilfinesassessedagainstaviolationtothepersonwhogivesinformationthatleadstoaconvictionorassessmentofapenalty.

MISSISSIPPI COASTAL CLEANUPAnnually,theMDMRsponsorstheMississippiCoastalCleanup,heldthe3rdSaturdayofOctoberaspartoftheInternationalCoastalCleanup,duringwhichcoastalstatesandcountriesaroundtheworlddedicatethedaytoriddingthecoastlineofmarinedebris.Mississippihasoneofthemostsuccessfulcleanupsintheworld.Alongwiththeevent,theMDMRpromotesmarinedebrisaware-nessandeducationonpreventionthroughouttheyear.ContacttheMDMRorvisitwww.mscoastalcleanup.orgtofindouthowyoucanparticipateinthenextCoastalCleanup,thelargesteventtohelpstopmarinedebris.

7814.indd 33 7/18/13 11:37 AM

34

MISSISSIPPI MONOFILAMENT RECYCLING PROGRAMTheMDMRandpartnerslaunchedthestate’sMonofilamentRecyclingProgramin2008inanefforttoreducetheamountoffishinglineintheenvironment.

Monofilamentis astrandofstrong,flexibleplasticusedforfishing.Themajorityisnon-degradableinwaterandlastsabout600yearsintheenvironment.

Fishinglinerecyclingtubesandbinscanbefoundatabout30piersandharborsacrosstheMissis-sippiGulfCoast.Carefullydisposingofmonofila-

mentinthesetubesandbinscanhelppreventfishandwildlifeentanglementsanddeath,andthedestruction

ofboatpropellersandintakevalves.

FormoreinformationontheMississippiMonofilamentRecyclingProgramorforalistoftubeandbinlocations,gotowww.dmr.ms.gov andclickonMarineFisheries.

7814.indd 34 7/18/13 11:37 AM

35

Non-nativeinvasivespeciescanharmMississippi’snaturalenvironmentsbyoutcompetingnativeanimalsandplantsforfoodandspace.Aquaticplantscandegradewaterquality,reducingoxygenavailabletonativeaquaticspecies.

Theimpacttofishingandhuntingcanbesubstantial.Fishpopulationscanbereducedbycompetitionfromnon-nativespeciesandreducedwaterquality.Invasiveaquaticplantscancoverthewatersurface,makingfishingimpossible.Reducedwaterqualitymaydegradehabitatforotheranimalsaswell.Non-nativeaquaticplantscanclogmotorintakes,degradeswimmingareasandcanevenreducepropertyvaluesinareaswherenon-nativeaquaticplantshavetakenover.

YOUCANHELPpreventthespreadofnon-nativeinvasiveplantsand animalsby:

• Removinganyaquaticplantsfromboatpropellers,intakes,trailersandgearbeforeleavingalauncharea.

• Neverreleasingplants,fishoranimalsintoabodyofwaterunlesstheycameoutofthatbodyofwater.

• Eliminatingwaterfromequipmentbeforetransporting.

• Blowingoutjet-skiintakesandwashingboatsandequipmentlandsidebeforetravelingintoanewwaterway.

Formoreinformationoninvasiveaquaticspeciesvisit:www.ProtectYourWaters.net

ToreportinvasivespeciescalltheMDMRat228-374-5000.

Invasive Species

7814.indd 35 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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 MDMR, 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 MDMR at 228-374-5000.

ItisamisdemeanortoviolatetheSeafoodLawsandtherulesandregulationsoftheCommissiononMarineResources.

Anyperson,firmorcorporationconvictedofviolatinganyregulationadoptedbytheCommissiononMarineResourcesshallbefinednolessthan$100andnomorethan$500forthe1stoffense,unlessthe1stoffenseiscommittedduringaclosedseason,inwhichcasethefineshallbenolessthan$500andnomorethan$1,000.

Fora2ndoffensewithinaperiodofthree(3)years,thefinewillbenolessthan$500andnomorethan$1,000.

Forany3rdorsubsequentoffensewithinaperiodofthree(3)years,penaltiesshallincludenolessthan$2,000andnomorethan$4,000,orimprisonmentinthecountyjailforaperiodnotexceeding30days.Uponconvictionofa3rdorsubsequentoffense,thecourtwillrevoketherightofthepersonorboatinviolationfromtakinganyseafoodfromstatewatersforone(1)year.

Inadditiontoanyotherpenalties,theCommissiononMarineResourcesmaysuspendthelicenseofanypersonconvictedofaviolationandanyvesselusedintheviolationforaperiodnottoexceedfive(5)daysforthe1stoffense,andaperiodnottoexceed30daysforthe2ndoffense.

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

Smart Phone Licensing Appwww.dmr.ms.gov/licenses

Saltwater Fishing License Purchase

7814.indd 36 7/18/13 11:37 AM

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.

State of MississippiThe Honorable Phil Bryant, Governor

Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources

Vacant, Chairman Nonprofit Environmental Hancock County Organization

Jimmy Taylor, Vice Chairman Charter Boat OperatorHarrison County

Richard Gollott Commercial Seafood ProcessorHarrison County

Steve Bosarge Commercial FishermanJackson County

Shelby Drummond Recreational FishermanJackson County

Mississippi Department of Marine ResourcesJamie M. Miller, Executive Director

Printed July 2013

For 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, 2013, 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 statute are available at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources office and 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 all 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.

iPhone Droid

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

7814 cover.indd 2 7/17/13 3:24 PM