MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources

By: Representative Saucier

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-15-100 AND 49-15-100.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT, EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1999, THE USE OF GILL NETS AND TRAMMEL NETS IN THE MARINE WATERS UNDER THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-15-77 THROUGH 49-15-80 AND 49-1515, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 49-15-100, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-100. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90.

(2) (a) For a first offense, a violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) and the department may initiate forfeiture proceedings for the net and catch. For subsequent violations, a person is subject to a fine of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall forfeit nets and catch. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

(b) The penalties for a violation of this section shall not be suspended or reduced.

[From and after March 1, 1999, this section shall read as follows:]

49-15-100. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) For a first offense, a violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) and the department may initiate forfeiture proceedings for the net and catch. For subsequent violations, a person is subject to a fine of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall forfeit nets and catch. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

(b) The penalties for a violation of this section shall not be suspended or reduced.

SECTION 2. Section 49-15-100.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-100.1. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be punished as provided for under Section 49-15-100 and in addition shall forfeit vessel, motor and equipment used in the violation. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

49-15-100.1. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be punished as provided for under Section 49-15-100 and in addition shall forfeit vessel, motor and equipment used in the violation. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

SECTION 3. Section 49-15-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-77. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to catch, take or carry away any saltwater fish by or with any trammel nets, purse seines, seines, fish traps or other like contrivances except permitted eel traps, in any area of the State of Mississippi within one hundred (100) feet of the mouth of any river, bayou, creek, canal, stream, tributary, lake, bay, inlet or other water source entering into areas defined as salt waters under the jurisdiction of the commission.

(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-100(2), Mississippi Code of 1972.

49-15-77. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to catch, take or carry away any saltwater fish by or with any trammel nets, purse seines, seines, fish traps or other like contrivances except permitted eel traps, in any area of the State of Mississippi within one hundred (100) feet of the mouth of any river, bayou, creek, canal, stream, tributary, lake, bay, inlet or other water source entering into areas defined as salt waters under the jurisdiction of the commission. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the use of trammel nets in the marine waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.

(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-100(2).

SECTION 4. Section 49-15-78, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-78. (1) It is unlawful for a person to use a gill net for the taking of fish in marine waters within one-half (1/2) mile of the shoreline.

(2) A violation of this section is punishable by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100, Mississippi Code of 1972.

49-15-78. (1) It is unlawful for a person to use a gill net for the taking of fish in marine waters within one-half (1/2) mile of the shoreline. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the use of gill nets in the marine waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.

(2) A violation of this section is punishable by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100.

SECTION 5. Section 49-15-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-79. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to use or attempt to use a purse seine for the taking of fish or to have such seine in the water within one (1) mile of the shoreline of the County of Hancock or Harrison in the State of Mississippi. The Boards of Supervisors of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties shall have the authority to submit proposed regulations to the commission to regulate within their respective counties the use of and trammel nets. The commission may consider all such proposals submitted by the boards of supervisors in formulating regulations to be promulgated under this section.

(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of this section or regulations promulgated under this section shall be punished by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100(2), Mississippi Code of 1972.

49-15-79. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to use or attempt to use a purse seine for the taking of fish or to have such seine in the water within one (1) mile of the shoreline of the County of Hancock or Harrison in the State of Mississippi. * * *

(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of this section or regulations promulgated under this section shall be punished by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100(2).

SECTION 6. Section 49-15-80, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-80. (1) (a) All vessels to be used in catching or transporting fish in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall, before beginning operations, obtain an annual license from the commission and pay a license fee according to the following schedule:

(i) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) on boats used for commercial hook and line fishing. All vessels engaged in commercial hook and line fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and crew members shall not be subject to the additional licensing requirements outlined in this section.

(ii) A resident fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or a nonresident fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) on boats using trammel nets, gill nets or seines not more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet in length.

(b) Beginning September 15, 1994, no nonresident shall be issued a commercial fishing license under this chapter for the taking of fish using any type of net if that nonresident's state of domicile prohibits the issuing of commercial fishing licenses to residents of this state to engage in like activity.

(2) Each factory or manufacturing establishment engaging in the manufacture of oil, fish scrap, fish meal, fertilizer or other products from menhaden, shall pay a license fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(3) Each boat or vessel engaging in the catching, taking or transporting menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall pay Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each net, seine, trawl or purse net used in catching or taking menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi.

49-15-80. (1) (a) All vessels to be used in catching or transporting fish in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall, before beginning operations, obtain an annual license from the commission and pay a license fee according to the following schedule:

(i) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) on boats used for commercial hook and line fishing. All vessels engaged in commercial hook and line fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and crew members shall not be subject to the additional licensing requirements outlined in this section.

(ii) A resident fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or a nonresident fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) on boats using trammel nets, gill nets or seines not more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet in length.

(b) Beginning September 15, 1994, no nonresident shall be issued a commercial fishing license under this chapter for the taking of fish using any type of net if that nonresident's state of domicile prohibits the issuing of commercial fishing licenses to residents of this state to engage in like activity.

(2) Each factory or manufacturing establishment engaging in the manufacture of oil, fish scrap, fish meal, fertilizer or other products from menhaden, shall pay a license fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(3) Each boat or vessel engaging in the catching, taking or transporting menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall pay Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each net, seine, trawl or purse net used in catching or taking menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the use of gill nets or trammel nets in the marine waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 7. Section 49-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-15. (1) In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the commission shall have the following powers and duties regarding the regulation of seafood:

(a) To exercise full jurisdiction and authority over all marine aquatic life and to regulate any matters pertaining to seafood, including cultivated seafood;

(b) To adopt, promulgate, amend or repeal, after due notice and public hearing, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law and subject to the limitations in subsection (2) of this section, rules and regulations authorized under this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations necessary for the protection, conservation or propagation of all shrimp, oysters, commercial fish and crabs in the waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi and for the regulation of gill net and purse seine fishermen. All public hearings under this chapter concerning the regulation of marine resources shall be held in Hancock, Harrison or Jackson counties. Each rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter shall immediately be advertised one (1) time in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in counties affected by that regulation. A regulation shall become effective at 6:00 a.m. on the day after its publication;

(c) To regulate all seafood sanitation and processing programs. In the three (3) coastal counties, the  sanitation program regulating processing plants and seafood sold in retail stores operating in conjunction with a processing plant or seafood market that primarily deals with seafood is under the exclusive authority of the commission. The commission may also inspect and regulate those areas of any seafood processing plant which process freshwater species at any site where the department inspects seafood processing plants. To effectively and efficiently implement the state seafood sanitation program, the State Health Officer and the executive director of the department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding, which at a minimum, clearly specifies the responsibilities of each agency in implementing the seafood sanitation program, as well as the sharing of information and communication and coordination between the agencies;

(d) To set standards of measure;

  (e) To set requirements for employment of nonenforcement commission employees whose compensation shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board;

(f) To acquire and dispose of commission equipment and facilities;

(g) To keep proper records of the commission, including an official ordinance book which contains all rules and regulations promulgated by the commission under this chapter;

(h) To enter into advantageous interstate and intrastate agreements with proper officials, which directly or indirectly result in the protection, propagation and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi, or continue any such agreements now in existence;

(i) To arrange, negotiate or contract for the use of available federal, state and local facilities which would aid in the propagation, protection and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi;

  (j) To authorize the operation of double rigs in the waters lying between the mainland coast and the island chain, and those rigs shall not exceed a length of twenty-five (25) feet at the cork line, and to prescribe the length at the lead line for each rig, net or try-trawl;

(k) To destroy or dispose of equipment or nets which have been lawfully seized by the commission and which are not sold under Section 49-15-65; 

(l) To open, close and regulate fishing seasons for the taking of shrimp, oysters, fish taken for commercial purposes and crabs and set size, catching and taking regulations for all types of seafood and culling regulations for oysters, except as otherwise specifically provided by law;

(m) To utilize the resources of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to the fullest extend possible; and

(n) To develop a resource management plan to preserve our seafood resources and to ensure a safe supply of these resources.

(2) The commission shall not adopt rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to marine resources which are more stringent than federal regulations. In any case where federal laws and regulations are silent on a matter pertaining to marine resources, the laws and regulations of the State of Mississippi shall control. The commission shall review all marine resource ordinances for compliance with the no more stringent standard and revise any ordinances more stringent than this standard no later than December 31, 1992. This subsection shall not apply to rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to the wild stock of marine fin fish.

49-15-15. (1) In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the commission shall have the following powers and duties regarding the regulation of seafood:

(a) To exercise full jurisdiction and authority over all marine aquatic life and to regulate any matters pertaining to seafood, including cultivated seafood;

(b) To adopt, promulgate, amend or repeal, after due notice and public hearing, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law and subject to the limitations in subsection (2) of this section, rules and regulations authorized under this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations necessary for the protection, conservation or propagation of all shrimp, oysters, commercial fish and crabs in the waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi and for the regulation of * * * purse seine fishermen. All public hearings under this chapter concerning the regulation of marine resources shall be held in Hancock, Harrison or Jackson counties. Each rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter shall immediately be advertised one (1) time in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in counties affected by that regulation. A regulation shall become effective at 6:00 a.m. on the day after its publication;

(c) To regulate all seafood sanitation and processing programs. In the three (3) coastal counties, the  sanitation program regulating processing plants and seafood sold in retail stores operating in conjunction with a processing plant or seafood market that primarily deals with seafood is under the exclusive authority of the commission. The commission may also inspect and regulate those areas of any seafood processing plant which process freshwater species at any site where the department inspects seafood processing plants. To effectively and efficiently implement the state seafood sanitation program, the State Health Officer and the executive director of the department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding, which at a minimum, clearly specifies the responsibilities of each agency in implementing the seafood sanitation program, as well as the sharing of information and communication and coordination between the agencies;

(d) To set standards of measure;

  (e) To set requirements for employment of nonenforcement commission employees whose compensation shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board;

(f) To acquire and dispose of commission equipment and facilities;

(g) To keep proper records of the commission, including an official ordinance book which contains all rules and regulations promulgated by the commission under this chapter;

(h) To enter into advantageous interstate and intrastate agreements with proper officials, which directly or indirectly result in the protection, propagation and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi, or continue any such agreements now in existence;

(i) To arrange, negotiate or contract for the use of available federal, state and local facilities which would aid in the propagation, protection and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi;

  (j) To authorize the operation of double rigs in the waters lying between the mainland coast and the island chain, and those rigs shall not exceed a length of twenty-five (25) feet at the cork line, and to prescribe the length at the lead line for each rig, net or try-trawl;

(k) To destroy or dispose of equipment or nets which have been lawfully seized by the commission and which are not sold under Section 49-15-65; 

(l) To open, close and regulate fishing seasons for the taking of shrimp, oysters, fish taken for commercial purposes and crabs and set size, catching and taking regulations for all types of seafood and culling regulations for oysters, except as otherwise specifically provided by law;

(m) To utilize the resources of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to the fullest extend possible; and

(n) To develop a resource management plan to preserve our seafood resources and to ensure a safe supply of these resources.

(2) The commission shall not adopt rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to marine resources which are more stringent than federal regulations. In any case where federal laws and regulations are silent on a matter pertaining to marine resources, the laws and regulations of the State of Mississippi shall control. The commission shall review all marine resource ordinances for compliance with the no more stringent standard and revise any ordinances more stringent than this standard no later than December 31, 1992. This subsection shall not apply to rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to the wild stock of marine fin fish.

SECTION 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.