MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-80, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SEPARATE ANNUAL COMMERCIAL GIG FISHING LICENSES FOR VESSELS AND INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL GIG FISHING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-15-80, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-80. (1) (a) All vessels to be used in catching or transporting fish in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall, before beginning operations, obtain an annual license from the commission and pay a license fee according to the following schedule:

(i) All resident vessels engaged in commercial hook and line fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). All nonresident vessels engaged in commercial hook and line fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00). Each individual engaged in commercial hook and line fishing must obtain a commercial hook and line fisherman license subject to the following license fees: One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for a resident commercial hook and line fisherman license; or Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) for a nonresident commercial hook and line fisherman license. If a duly licensed commercial hook and line vessel is engaged in commercial fishing, each individual aboard must possess a commercial hook and line fisherman license.

(ii) A resident fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or a nonresident fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00), on boats using trammel nets, gill nets or seines not more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet in length.

(iii) All resident vessels engaged in commercial gig fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). All nonresident vessels engaged in commercial gig fishing shall be issued a separate annual license by the commission at a fee of Four Hundred dollars ($400.00). Each individual engaged in commercial gig fishing must obtain a commercial gig fisherman license subject to the following license fees: resident commercial gig fisherman license, One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Nonresident commercial gig fisherman license, Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00). If a duly licensed commercial gig fishing vessel is engaged in commercial fishing, each individual aboard must possess a commercial gig fisherman license.

(b) Beginning September 15, 1994, no nonresident shall be issued a commercial fishing license under this chapter for the taking of fish 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 factory or manufacturing establishment engaging in the manufacture of oil, fish scrap, fish meal, fertilizer or other products from menhaden, shall pay a license fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(3) Each boat or vessel engaging in the catching, taking or transporting menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall pay Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each net, seine, trawl or purse net used in catching or taking menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.