MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-64.5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE PUSH TRAWLS AS LEGAL HARVEST GEAR FOR SHRIMP; TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-96, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF FISH THAT MAY BE CAUGHT IN SHRIMP NETS OR TRAWLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-15-64.5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-64.5. (1) (a) Each freight boat, ice boat and catching boat used in catching or transporting saltwater shrimp taken from the waters of the State of Mississippi for sale in their fresh state, or for canning, packing, freezing or drying, shall first obtain from the commission an annual privilege license and pay a license fee at the following rates:

(i) Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for resident boats or vessels under thirty (30) feet in length in overall measurements and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for nonresident boats or vessels under thirty (30) feet in length in overall measurements;

(ii) Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) for resident boats or vessels between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for nonresident boats or vessels between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements;

(iii) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for resident boats or vessels greater than forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements and Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for nonresident boats or vessels greater than forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements.

(b) Beginning September 15, 1994, no nonresident shall be issued a commercial fishing license under this chapter for the taking of saltwater shrimp 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 recreational vessel engaging in shrimping with a net having a corkline length of sixteen (16) feet or less shall pay an annual resident license fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) or an annual nonresident license fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00).

(3) Every freight boat, ice boat and catching boat used in catching or transporting saltwater shrimp taken from the waters of the State of Mississippi for sale in their fresh state, or for canning, packing, freezing, drying or as bait shall register the name of the captain of the vessel at the time that the vessel obtains the annual privilege license provided for in this section. The individual registered as the captain of the vessel may be substituted after notification to and the approval of the deputy director or the deputy director's designated representative. The captain shall purchase a license entitled "captain license." This license shall be purchased at the same time the vessel license is purchased. The fee for a captain license shall be a minimum of Ten Dollars ($10.00).

(4) During open seasons and in open areas, saltwater shrimp may be taken only with shrimp trawls, trawls, butterfly nets, skimmer nets, push trawls, beach seines and cast nets.

SECTION 2. Section 49-15-96, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-96. Vessels licensed under Section 49-15-64.5 may keep and clean, tenderloin or fillet, for personal consumption only the following types of fish which are caught in the shrimp nets or trawls of the vessel: white trout * * *, ground mullet (sciaenidae family) and flounder (bothidae and pleuronctide families).

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.