MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Ports and Marine Resources

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Gollott

AN ACT TO CREATE CODE SECTION 49-15-92, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE THEFT OF CRAB POTS; TO REPEAL SECTION 97-17-58, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ESTABLISHES PENALTIES FOR THEFT OF CRAB POTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following section shall be codified as Section 49-15-92, Mississippi Code of 1972:

49-15-92. (1) Any person who feloniously steals, takes and carries away crab pots or the property of another used to catch saltwater crabs from crab pots is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be fined Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for the first offense; Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the second offense; and One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the third and subsequent offenses or may be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both fine and imprisonment.

(2) This section shall not apply to any person who removes crab pots that are illegally placed or in an illegal location. This section shall not apply to any person who catches abandoned crab pots in a shrimp trawl, keeps the crab pots aboard the vessel and properly disposes of the crab pots.

SECTION 2. Section 97-17-58, Mississippi Code of 1972, which establishes penalties for theft of crab pots, is repealed.

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