MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

Senate Bill 2861

(As Sent to Governor)

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

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

SECTION 1. No person shall stock, place, release or cause to be released into any of the public waters of the state any aquatic species without first obtaining a permit from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. No person shall release or cause to be released within this state, any animal not indigenous to Mississippi without first obtaining a permit from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The department may issue or deny a permit after it completes a study of the species to determine any detrimental effect the species might have on the environment.

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

This section shall not prohibit the practice of catch and release of native fish species or the release of native fish bait species.

A person violating this section is guilty of Class I violation and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141.

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