The Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources (CMR) voted to issue a notice of intent to adopt several rule changes to Title 22, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Part 7, that would reflect recent updates to federal regulations. The CMR voted on Oct. 21 for the changes, including size limit changes for gray trigger fish and greater amberjack, prohibition on sandbar and silky sharks, and rules on transport and possession documentation. Changes are scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1, 2008, pending adoption by the CMR at its Nov. 18 meeting.
The minimum size limit for gray trigger fish for recreational and commercial fishermen would change from 12 inches total length to 14 inches fork length.
The minimum size limit for greater amberjack for recreational fishermen would change from 28 inches fork length to 30 inches fork length. The CMR also voted to prohibit for-hire vessel captains and crew from retaining a recreational bag limit of greater amberjack.
The CMR voted to prohibit recreational and commercial fishermen from retaining sandbar and silky sharks, with the exception that commercial fishermen may retain sandbar sharks if they are issued a fisheries research permit by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
Another regulation approved by the CMR requires that any person or company selling or transporting for sale any species of fish that does not meet Mississippi state size limits or for which the season is closed must possess valid documentation from the state or country of origin evidencing that the fish were legally harvested.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the State by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov
