REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE SIZE LIMITS AND BAG LIMITS ON CERTAIN FISH SPECIES, PREVENT SALE OF SEAFOOD BY RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN, AND PROVIDE REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF NETS, TRAPS, AND POTS FOR THE TAKING OF FINFISH

TITLE 22 – MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES PART 3 REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE SIZE LIMITS AND BAG LIMITS ON CERTAIN FISH SPECIES, PREVENT SALE OF SEAFOOD BY RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN, AND PROVIDE REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF NETS, TRAPS, AND POTS FOR THE TAKING OF FINFISH CHAPTER 01 INTRODUCTION Rule 1.1 This part provides regulations regarding size limits, and bag limits on certain fish species, to prevent the sale of seafood by recreational fishermen and provide regulations for the use of nets, traps, and pots for the taking of finfish. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-15303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and 50 CFR 622.38. CHAPTER 02 DEFINITIONS Rule 2.1 Definitions A. BAG LIMIT - The total number of a particular species that a recreational fisherman can retain for a single day's catch. B. CAST NET - Any cast net or brille net or any circular or conical weighted net designed to be thrown downward by hand and withdrawn by an attached line. C. CHARTER VESSEL - A vessel carrying a passenger for hire who is engaged in recreational fishing. D. COMMERCIAL EEL FISHING - A fishing activity using traps or pots where the sole purpose is to catch American eels (Anguilla rostrata). It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to retain any fish or shellfish other than adult eels while engaged in commercial eel fishing. An adult eel shall be defined as an eel at least six (6) inches in length. E. COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN - Anyone who sells, trades, barters or otherwise exchanges or offers to exchange any part of his catch for monetary or personal gain. F. ENTANGLEMENT – A method in which fish are primarily ensnared or entangled by the gills or other boney projections through interaction with gear. G. ENTRAPMENT - A method in which fish are primarily surrounded and confined, not entangled by the gills or other boney projections, within a space through interaction with gear. H. FINAL DESTINATION - A place on the mainland or a barrier island, not including piers or jetties, where the fishermen finally lands his catch and does not further transport the fish by boat. 1

I. GIG – Any handheld shaft with one or more points which may or may not be barbed. J. GILL NET - any net, of one or more layers, not customarily used for shrimp or menhaden fishing, with a mesh of such size and design as to be used primarily to catch or entangle fish by the gills or other boney projections. K. HAUL SEINE – A net set vertically in the water column and pulled by hand or by power to capture fish by entrapment through encircling and confining fish within itself, the shore or bank as a result of mesh size and construction. Haul seines shall be constructed of a mesh size not to exceed fifteen sixteenths (15/16”) bar and one inch and seven eighths (1 7/8”) stretch and shall not be constructed of monofilament. K. KING MACKEREL FISHING - a fishing activity where the sole purpose is to catch king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla). It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, while engaged in any net fishing activity or "set" to catch in excess of ten percent (10%) by weight of species other than king mackerel while king mackerel fishing. L. LANDED – When seafood is first brought to a point of land after being harvested and is no longer transported by boat or vessel. M. MULLET FISHING - A fishing activity where the sole purpose is to catch mullet (Mugil sp.). It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, while engaged in any mullet fishing activity or "set" to catch in excess of ten percent (10%) by weight of species other than mullet. N. PURSE SEINE - any net or device commonly known as a purse seine and/or ring net that can be pursed or closed by means of a drawstring or other device that can be drawn to close the bottom of the net, or the top of the net, or both. Such nets are constructed of mesh of such size and design as not to be used primarily to entangle commercial size fish by the gills or other boney projections. O. RECREATIONAL FISHERMAN - Those individuals taking and/or catching seafood for recreation or personal consumption. P. SEINE - Any net used to enclose or entrap fish either in a bag or where its ends are pulled together on a vessel or a shore and constructed with a mesh of such size and design as not to be used primarily to ensnare or entangle commercial size fish by the gills or other boney projections. Q. SET POLE and LINE - A line attached to a pole, suspended over water, located along a shoreline. This gear does not include rods with an attached reel or cane poles actively attended on-site by a fisherman engaged in fishing from the adjacent shoreline. R. TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH – The total amount of fish allowed to be caught in a given year. 2

S. TRAMMEL NET - Any device composed of layers of netting material attached to one or more float lines or one or more weighted bottom lines, with the layers of netting being constructed of fine mesh and of larger mesh so that a fish attempting to pass through the device pushes the smaller mesh through the larger mesh creating a pocket or compartment in which the fish is entrapped, entangled, or restricted. T. TROTLINE - A stationary anchored line with more than three (3) baited hooks. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-15303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307, .38. CHAPTER 03 COMMERCIAL CLOSURE AREA AND VESSEL DECAL Rule 3.1 It is unlawful to commercially take finfish from the marine waters north of the CSX bridges in the three (3) coastal counties of Mississippi, except for any euryhaline species of minnow in the Pascagoula River system. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 04 VESSEL DECAL REQUIREMENTS Rule 4.1 Vessel Decal Requirements A. The seafood privilege tax license decal must be displayed on each vessel engaged in commercial fishing activities but will not be valid without the proper commercial harvester’s license. The decal must be displayed next to the state registration number or federal documentation number. B. The seafood privilege tax license decal must be displayed on each vessel engaged in charter fishing activities but will not be valid without the proper Mississippi charter license. The decal must be displayed next to the state registration number or federal documentation number. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 05 FILET REGULATIONS Rule 5.1 Filet Regulations A. It is unlawful for commercial or recreational fishermen to possess fish with heads, tails or flesh removed until delivered to the final destination; however, fish may be eviscerated, scaled or have gills removed.

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MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. B. Any charter or recreational fishing boat fishing within or outside Mississippi territorial waters over twenty-four (24) hours before returning to land and filing a float plan with the Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) may possess filleted fish in Mississippi waters. Fishermen may not possess more than a single day’s bag limit for any species, except licensed charter vessels exercising the exemptions described in Chapter 6 of this Part. Said float plan must be received and filed with the MDMR prior to departure and during the regular operating hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and a copy of which must be on board said vessel for the duration of the trip. Said float plan must be submitted on forms provided by the MDMR, signed by the applicant and official accepting the float plan; and must contain the following information: 1. Name of the applicant 2. Owner of the vessel 3. Name of the vessel captain 4. Official vessel registration number 5. Description of the vessel 6. Date, time and location of departure 7. Destination(s) 8. Anticipated date, time, and location of return MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307, .38. CHAPTER 06 CHARTER BOAT EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN BAG LIMITS Rule 6.1 Charter Boat Exemption from Certain Bag Limits A. Persons on a licensed charter boat or headboat may possess a two-day (2) bag limit only when complying with the following conditions and only for the species listed in A.06 of this chapter. 1. Charter boats must be less than one hundred (100) gross tons and meet Coast Guard requirements to carry six or fewer passengers. 2. Headboats must hold a valid certificate of inspection issued by the Coast Guard. 3. The charter boat or headboat must possess a reef fish permit if fishing for reef fish or in possession of reef fish in the EEZ. 4. The charter boat or headboat must have two (2) coast guard certified captains aboard (as required by Coast Guard regulations for trips over twelve (12) hours.

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5. Each person aboard the charter boat or headboat must possess a certificate, issued in the name of the chartering company, stating the time and date the charter left the dock for trips in excess of twenty-four (24) hours. 6. King and Spanish Mackerel, snappers (Red, Vermillion, Lane, Gray, Mutton,Yellowtail, Schoolmaster, Cubera, Dog, Mahogany, Queen, Blackfin, Silk, and Wenchman), groupers (Misty, Snowy, Yellowedge, Warsaw, Speckled Hind, Red, Yellowfin, Black, Gag, Scamp, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, and Red Hind), Hogfish, Gray Triggerfish, Lesser Amberjack, Banded Rudderfish, Almaco Jack, Goldface Tilefish, Anchor Tilefish, Tilefish, Blackline Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, and Greater Amberjack. 7. Charter vessel captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Red Snapper and Greater Amberjack. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. B. A licensed for-hire vessel may obtain a two-day bag limit endorsement from the MDMR for a fee of $100 per year. The endorsement allows the vessel to possess a two-day bag limit (whole or filleted) of Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Southern Flounder under all of the following conditions: 1. The endorsement only applies while fishing in Mississippi territorial waters. 2. The trip must extend beyond 24 hours before returning to the mainland. 3. The harvest must comply with Mississippi’s current size limits, regardless of the place of harvest. 4. The harvest must comply with Mississippi daily catch limits. This endorsement does not authorize any person to take more than one daily Mississippi bag limit during one calendar day. 5. The vessel must obtain a float plan from the MDMR prior to each trip. 6. The vessel may possess the two-day limit only during its final return to the mainland. During the final return, fishing is prohibited. 7. The vessel’s captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Southern Flounder while exercising the endorsement. The presence of the captain and crew does not count towards the vessel’s daily possession limit for the species listed above. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-35, 49-15-63, 49-15-75, 49-15303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. C. The vessel operator must file a float plan with the MDMR during regular office hours prior to disembarking. A copy of the float plan must be on board the vessel for the duration of the trip. The float plan must be submitted on forms provided by the MDMR and must contain the following: 5

1. Name of the applicant. 2. Owner of the vessel. 3. Name of the vessel captain. 4. Official vessel registration number. 5. Description of the vessel. 6. Date, time, and location of departure. 7. Passenger manifest. 8. Destinations. 9. Anticipated date, time, and location of return. 10. Signatures of the applicant and the Department official receiving the plan. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. D. Charter vessel captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Red Snapper, Greater Amberjack, and Spotted Seatrout. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. CHAPTER 07 RECREATIONAL BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE Rule 7.1 Recreational Bag, Possession and Size Limits A. It is unlawful for a recreational fisherman to possess any fish in excess of a one (1) day bag limit of the following named species as prescribed: 1. Fifteen (15) Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) 2. Three (3) Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) 3. Two (2) Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) 4. Three (3) King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) 5. One (1) Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) 6. Two (2) Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) 7. Fifteen (15) Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) 8. Ten (10) flounder (Paralichthys sp.) 9. Five (5) Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) 10. Three (3) Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) 11. Fifteen (15) Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) 12. Ten (10) in aggregate: i. Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) ii. Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis) – may possess (5) within the (10) fish aggregate iii. Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) iv. Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) v. Cubera (Lutjanus cyanopterus) vi. Dog (Lutjanus jocu) 6

vii. Mahogany (Lutjanus mahogany) viii. Queen (Etelis oculatus) ix. Blackfin (Lutjanus buccanella) x. Silk (Lutjanus vivamus) xi. Wenchman (Pristipomoides aquilonaris) 13. Four (4) in the grouper aggregate: i. Misty Grouper (Epinephelus mystacinus) ii. Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) iii. Yellowedge Grouper (Epinephelus flavolimbatus) iv. Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) v. Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) vi. Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) vii. Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) – may possess two (2) within the four (4) fish grouper aggregate viii. Scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) ix. Yellowmouth (Mycteroperca interstitialis) x. Rock Hind (Epinephalus adscensionis) xi. Red Hind (Epinephalus guttatus) 14. One (1) per vessel within the four (4) fish grouper aggregate: i. Speckled Hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi) ii. Warsaw Grouper (Epinephelus nigritus) 15. Twenty (20) in reef fish aggregate: i. Gray Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) – may possess one (1) within the twenty (20) reef fish aggregate ii. Vermillion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) – may possess ten (10) within the twenty (20) reef fish aggregate iii. Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) iv. Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana) v. Goldface Tilefish (Caulolatilus chrysops) vi. Anchor Tilefish (Caulolatilus intermedius) vii. Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) viii. Blacklined Tilefish (Caulolatilus cyanops) ix. Bluelined Tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) 16. Five (5) in aggregate: i. Lesser Amberjack (Seriola fasciata) ii. Banded Rudderfish (Seriola zonata) 17. Three (3) - Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) 18. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess more than four (4) of the following shark species in aggregate per person per day (small coastal sharks): i. Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) ii. Finetooth (Carcharhinus isodon) iii.Blacknose (Carcharhinus acronotus) iv. Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) 19. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess more than one (1) of the following shark species per person per day and no more than three (3) of the following shark species in aggregate per vessel per day (large coastal and pelagic sharks): 7

i. Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus) ii. Spinner (Carcharhinus brevipinna) iii. Bull (Carcharhinus leucas) iv. Tiger (Galeocerdo cuvieri) v. Lemon (Negaprion brevirostris) vi. Nurse (Ginglymostoma cirratum) vii. Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) viii. Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) ix. Smooth Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) x. Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) xi. Porbeagle (Lamna nasus) xii. Thresher (Alopias vulpinus) xiii. Blue (Prionace glauca) xiv. Oceanic Whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) 20. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess any of the following species of sharks (protected Species of Sharks): i. Sand Tiger (Odontaspis taurus) ii. Bigeye Sand Tiger (Odontaspis noronhai) iii. Whale (Rhincodon typus) iv. Basking (Cetorhinus maximus) v. White (Carcharodon carcharias) vi. Dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus) vii. Bignose (Carcharhinus altimus) viii. Galapagos (Carcharhinus galapagensis) ix. Night (Carcharhinus signatus) x. Caribbean Reef (Carcharhinus perezi) xi. Narrowtooth (Carcharhinus brachyurus) xii. Caribbean Sharpnose (Rhizorionodon porosus) xiii. Smalltail (Carcharhinus porosus) xiv. Atlantic Angel (Squatina dumerili) xv. Longfin Mako (Isurus paucus) xvi. Bigeye Thresher (Alopias superciliousus) xvii. Sevengill (Heptranchias perlo) xviii. Sixgill (Hexanchus griseus) xix. Bigeye Sixgill (Hexanchus vitulus) xx. Sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) xxi. Silky (Carcharhinus falciformis) 21. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess more than one (1) Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) per vessel per day. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. B. The practice of “finning”, that is, removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea is unlawful. 8

MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. C. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess any of the following named species of fish under the lengths prescribed: 1. Spotted Seatrout – fifteen (15) inches (total length). 2. Red Drum – eighteen (18) inches (total length). 3. Cobia – thirty-six (36) inches (fork length). 4. Greater Amberjack – thirty-four (34) inches (fork length). 5. Red Snapper – sixteen (16) inches (total length). 6. Mutton Snapper – eighteen (18) inches (total length). 7. Vermillion Snapper – ten (10) inches (total length). 8. Lane Snapper – eight (8) inches (total length). 9. Gray, Schoolmaster, Cubera, Dog, Mahogany, and Yellowtail Snapper –twelve (12) inches (total length). 10. Red and Yellowfin Grouper – twenty (20) inches (total length). 11. Gag and Black Grouper – twenty-four (24) inches (total length). 12. Scamp – sixteen (16) inches (total length). 13. Gray Triggerfish – fifteen (15) inches (fork length). 14. Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) – twelve (12) inches (fork length). 15. King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) – twenty-four (24) inches (fork length). 16. flounders (Paralicthys sp.) – twelve (12) inches (total length). 17. small coastal sharks – twenty-five (25) inches total length. 18. large coastal sharks – thirty-seven (37) inches total length. 19. Lesser Amberjack and Banded Rudderfish – may possess fish between fourteen (14) inches (fork length) to twenty-two (22) inches fork length. 20. Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) – twenty-seven (27) inches as measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail along the contour of the middle of the body (curved fork length). 21. Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) – twenty-seven (27) inches as measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail along the contour of the middle of the body (curved fork length). 22. Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) – ninety-nine (99) inches as measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail (lower jaw fork length). 23. White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) – sixty-six (66) inches as measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail (lower jaw fork length). 24. Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) – sixty-three (63) inches as measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail (lower jaw fork length). 25. Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) – fourteen (14) inches (fork length) 26. Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) eighteen (18) inches total length 27. Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) fourteen (14) inches total length 28. Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) – forty-seven (47) inches as measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail (lower jaw fork length). 29. Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) – seventy-five (75) inches fork length. 9

MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. D. However, recreational fishermen not fishing in Mississippi waters may transport and land fish that meet the minimum size and creel limits of the waters in which they were legally caught. Said recreational fishermen must possess a valid saltwater sportfishing license as may be required in the waters where the fish were caught. In the absence of minimum size or creel limits in another jurisdiction, Mississippi law will prevail. This rule does not apply to Red Snapper caught outside of Mississippi territorial waters. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. E. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to possess more than one (1) Red Drum exceeding thirty (30) inches total length for a single day's catch. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. F. It is unlawful for any fisherman to remove an Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) over the length of forty (40) inches from the water unless the intent is to harvest within the limits defined in Sections 100 and 102 of this chapter. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. G. The recreational fishing season, bag limit, and size limit for Red Snapper shall be set by the Executive Director. The recreational opening order for Red Snapper shall include language establishing the size limit, bag limit, and season structure for the corresponding season. In the event that the size and bag limit is not listed in the opening order, the established limits listed above in Chapter 07 will apply. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 08 COMMERCIAL SIZE, POSSESSION AND CATCH LIMITS Rule 8.1 Commercial Size, Possession and Catch Limits A. It is unlawful to barter, sell, offer for sale or transport for sale or possess for sale in or from the State of Mississippi the following named species of fish under the lengths prescribed: 1. Red Drum – eighteen (18) inches (total length). 2. Spotted Seatrout – fourteen (14) inches (total length). 3. flounders (Paralicthys sp.) – twelve (12) inches (total length). 4. Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) eighteen (18) inches total length. 10

5. Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) – twelve (12) inches (fork length). 6. King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) – twenty-four (24) inches (fork length). 7. Red Snapper – thirteen (13) inches (total length). 8. Vermillion Snapper – ten (10) inches (total length). 9. Lane Snapper – eight (8) inches (total length). 10. Mutton Snapper – eighteen (18) inches (total length) 11. Gray, Mahogany, Schoolmaster, Dog, Cubera, and Yellowtail Snapper – twelve (12) inches (total length). 12. Blackfin, Queen, Silk and Wenchman snapper – no minimum length. 13. Tilefish – no minimum length. 14. Red Grouper – eighteen (18) inches (total length). 15. Yellowfin Grouper – twenty (20) inches (total length). 16. Black Grouper – twenty-four (24) inches (total length). 17. Gag Grouper – twenty-four (24) inches (total length). 18. Scamp – sixteen (16) inches (total length). 19. Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, Red Hind Grouper – no minimum length. 20. Misty, Snowy Yellowedge, Warsaw, Speckled Hind Grouper – no minimum length. 21. Gray Triggerfish – fourteen (14) inches (fork length). 22. Hogfish (lachnolaimus maximus) – fourteen (14) inches (fork length). 23. Greater Amberjack – thirty-six (36) inches (fork length). 24. Lesser Amberjack and Banded Rudderfish – may possess fish between fourteen (14) inches (fork length) to twenty-two (22) inches fork length. 25. Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) – twenty-seven (27) inches as measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail along the contour of the middle of the body (curved fork length). 26. Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) – twenty-seven (27) inches as measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail along the contour of the middle of the body (curved fork length). 27. Small Coastal Sharks – twenty-five (25) inches total length 28. Large Coastal Sharks – thirty-seven (37) inches total length MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. B. It is unlawful for commercial fishermen to possess any of the following species of sharks: 1. Sand Tiger (Odontaspis taurus) 2. Bigeye Sand Tiger (Odontaspis noronhai) 3. Whale (Rhincodon typus) 4. Basking (Cetorhinus maximus) 5. White (Carcharodon carcharias) 6. Dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus) 7. Bignose (Carcharhinus altimus) 8. Galapagos (Carcharhinus galapagensis) 9. Night (Carcharhinus signatus) 10. Caribbean Reef (Carcharhinus perezi) 11

11. Narrowtooth (Carcharhinus brachyurus) 12. Caribbean Sharpnose (Rhizorionodon porosus) 13. Smalltail (Carcharhinus porosus) 14. Atlantic Angel (Squatina dumerili) 15. Longfin Mako (Isurus paucus) 16. Bigeye Thresher (Alopias superciliousus) 17. Sevengill (Heptranchias perlo) 18. Sixgill (Hexanchus griseus) 19. Bigeye Sixgill (Hexanchus vitulus) 20. Sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) sharks may only be possessed by fishermen possessing a research fishery permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. 21. Silky (Carcharhinus falciformis) MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. C. It is unlawful for any commercial fishermen to possess any Cobia smaller than thirty-six (36) inches fork length or to possess more than a daily bag limit of two (2) Cobia per person. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. D. It is unlawful to sell, barter or trade any species of reef fish (identified in Chapter 08 Sections A7 through A24 without possessing the proper federal permits and/or licenses required by the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan and complying with any other conditions set forth by federal or state regulations for the management of the identified reef fish. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. E. It is unlawful to possess or harvest from Mississippi territorial waters, in excess of three thousand pounds (3,000) of King Mackerel, per vessel, per trip, per day (This is the Federal Limit for the Western Zone). MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. F. It is unlawful to sell or purchase the following species of billfish without the proper federal documentation: Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans), White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), and Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus). MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307.

12

G. The commercial fishing season for menhaden is from the third Monday in April through the first day of November of each year. It is unlawful to harvest menhaden, for the purposes of reduction, within one mile of the mainland shoreline of Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson County. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. H. The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of flounder (Paralicthys sp.) will be set at seventy-four thousand (74,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing flounder will commence on January 1 and end on December 31 each year. I. The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) will be set at sixty thousand (60,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing Red Drum will commence on January 1st and end on December 31st of each year. The commercial TAC for the fishing season is divided into three four month periods as follows: 1. January 1st – April 30th twenty thousand pounds (20,000); 2. May 1st – August 31st twenty thousand pounds (20,000); 3. September 1st – December 31st twenty thousand pounds (20,000). In the event the commercial TAC is not met or exceeded in any time period, the pounds will be added or subtracted to the following time period. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. J. The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) will be set at fifty thousand (50,000) pounds. The commercial fishing season for landing Spotted Seatrout shall commence on January 1st and end December 31st each year. The commercial TAC for the fishing season is divided into two periods as follows: January 1st – June 30th twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000); July 1st – December 31st twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000). In the event the commercial TAC is not met or exceeded in the first time period January 1st – June 30th) the pounds will be added or subtracted to the second time period (July 1st – December 31st). MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. K. Individuals commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) must possess a Spotted Seatrout endorsement ($10.00) in addition to a current applicable harvester’s license. To qualify for this endorsement an application must be completed. A Trip Ticket officer will validate, through the Trip Ticket system, that the applicant sold at least one thousand ($1,000) dollars of finfish or five thousand ($5,000) dollars of seafood product in the previous or current calendar year. The endorsement will be valid from January 1st – December 31st each year. In the event of a hardship approved by the Executive Director, the department may consider the applicants qualification based on sales one year prior to the onset of the approved hardship. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. 13

L. The following provisions are provided to address safety concerns and allow fishermen to have another individual on board in case of an emergency: 1. For commercial hook and line fishermen, a. if only two fishermen are aboard a vessel commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout, one of the fishermen is not required to possess the Spotted Seatrout endorsement; however, that fisherman is required to possess an applicable commercial harvester’s license. b. If two or more commercial hook and line fishermen possessing the Spotted Seatrout endorsement are aboard a vessel commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout, all fishermen aboard the vessel are required to possess the Spotted Seatrout endorsement. 2. For net fishermen, the vessel must possess a valid fishing boat license and a. if only two fishermen are aboard a vessel commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout, one of the fishermen is not required to possess the Spotted Seatrout endorsement. b. If two or more net fishermen possessing the Spotted Seatrout endorsement are aboard a vessel commercially harvesting Spotted Seatrout, all fishermen aboard the vessel are required to possess the Spotted Seatrout endorsement. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. M. It is unlawful for any commercial fisherman to possess a daily bag limit of more than three (3) Tripletail per person. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. N. If any person, firm, or corporation, barters, sells, offers to sell or transports for sale or possesses for sale in the State of Mississippi any species of fish under the lengths or for which the fishing season is closed as prescribed in Title 22 Part 3 said person, firm or corporation shall possess valid documentation from the state or country of origin evidencing that the fish were legally harvested. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. O. Any individual or vessel commercially harvesting small coastal or large coastal sharks in Mississippi’s territorial waters must possess a MDMR shark endorsement (10.00) in addition to a current applicable harvester license. In addition, all individuals applying for a shark endorsement must be a Mississippi resident and present documentation of the successful completion of a MDMR approved shark identification exam and protected species safe handling workshop. The open season in Mississippi territorial waters for the commercial harvest of sharks shall run concurrent with federal shark seasons for the Western Gulf of Mexico Sub-Region. 14

1. The practice of “finning”, that is, removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea is unlawful. All sharks commercially harvested in Mississippi state territorial water must be landed in whole form with fins naturally attached by at least some portion of uncut skin. Sharks may be gutted prior to landing. 2. It is unlawful for any commercial fisherman to possess a daily bag limit of more than twenty-five (25) small and large coastal sharks in aggregate per vessel per day. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. P. It is unlawful to barter, sell, offer for sale, transport for sale, or possess for sale Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Q. It is unlawful for any commercial fishermen to possess any Atlantic Tarpon smaller than seventy-five (75) inches fork length or to possess more than a daily bag limit of one (1) Atlantic Tarpon per vessel. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and .38. R. Licensed commercial shrimp fishermen may keep in whole for personal consumption only, the following fish which are caught in shrimp nets or trawls of the vessel: White Trout, Atlantic Croaker, Black Drum, and Ground Mullet (Family Sciaenidae); Sheepshead (Family Sparidae); Gafftopsail Catfish (Family Ariidae); and flounders in the families Pleuronectidae and Bothidae. The cumulative total weight of fish shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pounds. These exemptions for personal consumption do not apply to fish that are otherwise illegal to possess. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. S. It is unlawful for commercial fishermen to possess more than one (1) Red Drum exceeding thirty (30) inches total length for a single day's catch. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. T. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, barter, trade, or purchase cobia landed in Mississippi. Cobia and any species of finfish that have an established annual quota and are landed legally elsewhere and/or transported into or within Mississippi for sale, must be accompanied by an affidavit or certificate from the regulating agency of the point of origin stating that the fish were legally landed or accompanied by a Bill of Lading if imported from a foreign country. Cobia and 15

any species of finfish that have an established annual quota and are raised on permitted aquaculture facilities must be accompanied by a Bill of Lading with the permit number attached and may be sold below the prescribed minimum lengths. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 09 UNLAWFUL TO SELL OR BUY RECREATIONALLY CAUGHT FISH Rule 9.1 Unlawful to Sell or Buy Recreationally Caught Fish A. It is unlawful for recreational fishermen to sell or offer for sale any seafood caught in or landed in the State of Mississippi and only licensed commercial fishermen may catch and sell seafood. Furthermore, it is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to purchase, buy, barter for, or trade for any seafood caught in or landed in the State of Mississippi that was caught or landed by a recreational fisherman, or that was transported into the State of Mississippi by a recreational fisherman. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. B. It is unlawful to transport or deliver any recreationally caught finfish into a building or structure used by any commercial business or establishment that buys, sells and/or processes finfish. Furthermore, it is unlawful for any commercial business or establishment that buys, sells and/or processes finfish to receive or possess recreationally caught finfish. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. C. The MDMR may provide allowance for the purpose of possessing recreationally caught mullet (Mugil sp.) in a building or structure used by any commercial business or establishment that buys, sells or processes seafood, to those nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501 (c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and which have on file with the State Tax Commission a tax exemption letter issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service. A copy of this permit must be possessed by the commercial business or establishment. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 10 BLUEFIN TUNA POSSESSION RESTRICTIONS Rule 10.1 It is unlawful to take, catch, or have in possession any Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in the waters of the State of Mississippi except for incidental catches by recreational fishermen. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. 16

Rule 10.2 It is unlawful for landings of incidental catches of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna by recreational fishermen to exceed one (1) fish per boat per week, and landings must be reported to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 11 FISH UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS Rule 11.1 It is to take, catch, or have in possession any Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara), Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus), Longbill Spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri), Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata), or Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis perotteti) in the waters of the State of Mississippi. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 12 TROTLINE REGULATIONS Rule 12.1 Anyone trotline fishing south of Interstate 10 must be registered annually with the MDMR and be issued a tag with a unique number that is to be attached to both ends of the trot line so that it is readable by MDMR personnel. If name and number is not attached to both ends and readable by MDMR personnel and tending the bottom, the line will be deemed illegal and may be confiscated by MDMR personnel. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-1563, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 13 SET POLE AND LINE REGULATIONS Rule 13.1 Anyone set pole and line fishing must be on-site and attending their gear from a distance not to exceed fifty (50) feet and be available to move gear to allow for safe navigation. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 13.2 Illegal to use a set pole and line with more than one (1) hook. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 13.3 Illegal for any individual to use more than ten (10) set poles and lines in any marine waters south of Interstate 10. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. 17

CHAPTER 14 GEAR RESTRICTIONS IN REEF AREAS Rule 14.1 In the permitted reef areas bounded by the below coordinates it is illegal to fish with more than three (3) hooks per line or to use spear fishing gear equipped with power heads. 1. FH 4 - 3010.600/-8854.100,3010.245/-8854.100, 3010.600/-8853.600, 3010.395/8853.600 2. FH 8 3016.100/-8857.600,3015.900/-8857.600, 3016.100/8857.800,3015.900/8857.800 3. FH 9/11 – 3016.000/-8853.600, 3015.300/-8853.600, 3016.000/- 8854.300, 3015.300/8854.300 4. FH 10 - 3016.00/-8838.900,3015.860/-8838.900, 3016.000/-8839.000, 3015.860/8839.000 5. FH 14 - 3012.440/-8849.499, 3012.200/-8849.499, 3012.440/-8849.720, 3012.200/8849.720 6. Cat Island Reef - 3012.282/-8904.899, 3012.053/-8905.068, 3012.152/-8904.631, 3011.929/-8904.790 MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 15 COMMERCIAL ENTRAPMENT NET CLOSURE AREAS AND GEAR SIZE RESTRICTIONS Rule 15.1 Commercial Entrapment Net Closure Areas and Gear Size Restrictions A. It is unlawful to catch, take, or carry away any saltwater fish by or with any purse seines, seines, haul seines, fish traps, or any other like contrivances, in the territorial waters of the State of Mississippi within twelve hundred feet (1200) of any public pier or any pier owned and operated by hotels or motels for the use of their patrons and guests for swimming and fishing or any harbor or within twelve hundred (1200) feet of the shoreline of Deer Island. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. B. It is unlawful to catch, take or carry away any saltwater fish by or with any purse seines, seines, haul seines, fish traps, and other like contrivances in the following areas of the State of Mississippi: 1. Within any river, bayou, creek, canal, stream, tributary, lake, bay, or inlet, or other water source entering into areas defined as salt waters under the jurisdiction of the MCMR, except Pt. aux Chenes Bay, Middle Bay, Jose Bay, L'Isle Chaude, Heron Bay, Pascagoula Bay, south of a line beginning at a point on the shoreline at the southern 18

terminus of range lines R7W and R6W near Camp Lamotte; thence southeasterly along the most direct line to the southernmost point of Twin Islands; thence easterly along the most direct line to the southern point of Rabbit Island; thence easterly along the most direct line to the beacon "Occ R 4 sec 100 ft" on the eastern side of Litton Shipbuilding; thence southeasterly following the shoreline to the southeasternmost point of Litton Shipbuilding; thence easterly along the most direct line to the southernmost point of land adjoining the entrance to Yazoo Lake) and South Rigolets and Biloxi Bay south of a line drawn between Marsh Point and Grand Bayou. These restrictions in subsection 101.01 shall not apply to mullet fishing in Pascagoula Bay south of the CSX Railroad bridge. 2. Within fifteen hundred (1500) feet from the shoreline between the U.S. Highway 90 bridge and the north shore of Bayou Caddy in Hancock County. 3. Within an area that would block the mouth of any river, bayou, creek, canal, stream, tributary, lake, bay, inlet, channel, or other water source entering into areas defined as salt waters under the jurisdiction of the MDMR. Areas defined as salt waters under the jurisdiction of the MDMR are specified by Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Public Notice Number 2276 in accordance with § 49-15-23 of the Mississippi Code Ann. of 1972, as amended. 4. Within an area formed by a line running one (1) mile from the shoreline of Cat, Ship, Horn, Petit Bois, and Round Island, or from the shoals of Telegraph Keys and Telegraph Reef (Merrill Coquille)., during the period from May 15 to September 15 of each year. 5. Within three hundred (300) feet of any private piers which extend seventy-five (75) feet or more from the shoreline 6. All aforementioned piers must be in usable condition with boards spaced in such a way that persons can walk the entire distance of the pier. 7. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation other than licensed menhaden vessels engaged in menhaden fishing, to use or have in possession purse seine(s) in excess of fifteen hundred (1500) feet in length. Said nets must be of a mesh size of onehalf (½) inch square, one (1) inch stretch or larger. 8. It is unlawful to leave a purse seine, seine, haul seine, or any other net like contrivance governed by the restrictions set forth in this Part unattended in the waters of this state. It shall further be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to use or have in their possession a seine, haul seine, or like contrivance on the waters of this state without a visible buoy attached everyone hundred (100) feet clearly marked with the license number or owner's full name thereon.

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MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 16 ENTANGLEMENT NET RESTRICTIONS Rule 16.1 It is unlawful for a person to use a gill net, trammel net, entanglement, or like contrivance for the taking of finfish in marine waters within one-half (1/2) mile of the mainland shoreline. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 16.2 No gill and trammel nets are allowed to be set or otherwise used for the taking of aquatic life during the time between legal sunset to legal sunrise. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 16.3 It is unlawful to possess fish in, or be in contact with, any gill or trammel net in a boat in the marine waters of Mississippi in the St. Louis Bay north of the CSX Railroad Bridge; in Biloxi Bay north of a line drawn between Marsh Point and Grand Bayou; in Pascagoula Bay north of the CSX Railroad bridge. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 16.4 It is unlawful to set a gill or trammel net within one-quarter (1/4) nautical mile of another gill or trammel net. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 16.5 Within an area formed by a line running one (1) mile from the shoreline of Cat, Ship, Horn, Petit Bois, and Round Island, or from the shoals of Telegraph Keys and Telegraph Reef (Merrill Coquille)., during the period from May 15 to September 15 of each year. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307.

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Rule 16.6 Gill and trammel nets must be attended at all times from a distance not to exceed the length of the boat in use. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to use or have in their possession a gill net, trammel net, or like contrivance on the waters of this state without a visible buoy attached every one hundred (100) feet clearly marked with the license number or owner's full name thereon. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule16.7 All gill and trammel nets must be constructed of an approved degradable material. The only approved material for gill and trammel nets is cotton or linen. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 17 FISH TRAP REGULATIONS Rule 17.1 It is unlawful on the waters of this state to use or have possession of any fish traps, fish pots, eel traps, eel pots, or like contrivances that are not clearly marked with the owner's full name, permit, or license number. It is unlawful to fail to check and empty each trap, pot, or like contrivance at least once every forty-eight (48) hours. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. Rule 17.2 It shall further be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to place or cause to be placed any trap in any navigable waterway such that it creates a hazard or nuisance to navigation. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-303, 4915-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 18 EXCEPTIONS TO NET REGULATIONS Rule 18.1 The restrictions outlined in this Part do not apply to brill nets, cast nets, drop nets for crabs, small mesh beach seines not exceeding one-hundred (100) feet in length, and having a mesh size not to exceed ¼-inch bar-1/2 inch stretch, trawls, for the catching of shrimp, or purse seines for the catching of menhaden. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-63, 49-15-78, 49-1579, 49-15-83, 49-15-94, 49-15-95, 49-15-100, 49-15-100.1, 49-15-100.3, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 19 PENALTIES Rule 19.1 Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Part shall be 21

guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be penalized in accordance with § 49-15-63 of the Mississippi Code Ann. of 1972, as amended. Violations of more than one chapter or subsection of this Part, or parts thereof, shall be considered separate offenses and punished as such. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-15, 49-15-63, 49-15-64.1, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, and 49-15-307. CHAPTER 20 CHAPTERS AND SUBCHAPTERS DECLARED SEPERABLE Rule 20.1 Each chapter and subchapter of this Part is hereby declared separable, and if any chapter or subchapter or part thereof shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the balance of said Title 22 Part 07 shall remain in full force and effect. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-15, 49-15-63, 49-15-64.1, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, and 49-15-307. Rule 20.2 Violations of more than one chapter or subchapter of this Part or part thereof shall be considered separate offenses and punished as such. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-15, 49-15-63, 49-15-64.1, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, and 49-15-307.

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