MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-86, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE FEES FOR CERTAIN CRABBING LICENSES AND TO PROVIDE FEES FOR A CAPTAIN'S LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-15-86, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-86. (1) Each person catching or taking any saltwater crabs in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall obtain a license from the commission and shall pay an annual resident license fee of Seventy Dollars ($70.00) for a crab vessel license or an annual nonresident license fee of One Hundred Sixty Dollars ($160.00). If the applicant's domicile state charges a greater fee than the nonresident fee for residents of Mississippi, then the applicant must pay the same fee that the applicant's domicile state charges a resident of Mississippi on each boat used therefor. The fee is Five Dollars ($5.00) for an annual resident crab fishermen captain's license or Forty Dollars ($40.00) for an annual nonresident crab fishermen captain's license. If the applicant's domicile state charges a greater fee than the nonresident fee for residents of Mississippi, then the applicant must pay the same fee that the applicant's domicile state charges a resident of Mississippi. At least one (1) individual must have a crab fishermen captain's license or be named as an alternate on the license.

(2) The commission may require a recreational crabber's license for an administrative fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00).

SECTION 2. All persons using six (6) or fewer crab traps for personal or recreational use shall be exempt from any state license or license fee.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.