MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Marine Resources

By: Representatives Ladner, Barnett, Sykes, Baria, DeLano, Haney, Patterson

House Bill 98

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-78, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A HAUL SEINE NET FOR THE TAKING OF FINFISH OR SPECKLED TROUT IN MARINE WATERS WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE OF THE SHORELINE OF CAT ISLAND; TO PROVIDE THE DEFINITION FOR THE PHRASE "LIKE CONTRIVANCES"; TO EXEMPT CAST NETS AND BRILL NETS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 49-15-78, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-15-78.  (1)  (a)  It is unlawful for a person to use a gill net, trammel net, entanglement net, haul seine net or like contrivances for the taking of * * * fish finfish or speckled trout in marine waters within one-half (1/2) mile of the shoreline of Cat Island.

          (b)  For the purposes of this section, the phrase "like contrivances" means any net that is similar in form, function, purpose or use to a gill net, trammel net, entanglement net or haul seine net.

          (c)  The provisions of this section shall not apply to cast nets and brill nets.

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

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.