MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF AQUATIC SPECIES INTO PUBLIC WATERS WITHOUT A PERMIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Native" means indigenous or any species originally occurring in the state at the time of statehood.

(b) "Nonnative" means any species not indigenous to Mississippi.

No person shall stock, place, release or cause to be released into any of the public waters and lands of the state, any native or nonnative aquatic species without having first obtained a permit from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The department is authorized to issue or deny a permit after the completion of studies of the species made by the department to determine any potentially detrimental effect the species might have on the aquatic environment of the state if released.

The department shall establish and maintain a list of approved, restricted and prohibited aquatic species and establish rules governing import, possession, sale and escape of such species.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.