Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

MISSISSIPPI
The following is an unofficial compilation of marine laws and regulations for Mississippi. The information is current as of
July 1, 2011, but changes may occur at any time. For definitive enforcement regulations contact the Mississippi Department
of Marine Resources (MDMR), Office of Marine Patrol, 1141 Bayview Avenue, Fifth Floor – Suite A, Biloxi, Mississippi
39530 (228-523-4134) or visit the web site at www.dmr.state.ms.us.
Residency Requirements
A “resident” means a person, firm, or corporation that is domiciled in this state. A “domicile” means a person’s principal or
primary place of abode in which a person’s habitation is fixed and to which the person, whenever absent, has the present
intention of returning after departure of absence there from, regardless of the duration of the absence. The burden of proving
domicile in the state shall be on the person claiming the status. A person holding a current driver’s license shall be deemed to
be domiciled within the state issuing the license. If a person does not hold a current driver’s license the following evidence
may be considered for establishing, but is not necessarily determinative of domicile: residence for income or other tax
purposes, homestead exemption receipt or other means prescribed by the Mississippi Commission of Marine Resources
(MCMR). In the case of minors, domicile of the parents shall be used as evidence of the minor’s domicile.
SHRIMP
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 MCMR
an annual privilege license and pay a license fee at the following rates.
Commercial License
Shrimp Boat under 30’
Resident - $50.00
Nonresident - $100.00
Shrimp Boat 30’-45’
Resident - $75.00
Nonresident - $100.00
Shrimp Boat over 45’
Resident - $100.00
Nonresident - $200.00
The captain shall purchase a license entitled “Captain’s License.” This license shall be purchased at the same time the vessel
license is purchased. The fee for a captain’s license shall be a minimum of ten dollars ($10.00). The individual registered as
the captain of the vessel may be substituted after notification and the approval of the Deputy Director or authorized designee.
Recreational License
Each recreational vessel engaging in shrimping with a net having a cork line length of sixteen feet (16’) 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).
Commercial Season
Trawling is prohibited north of the Intracoastal Waterway (tugboat channel) after sunset of December 31, except by license
live bait dealers. Shrimp season is officially opened by public notice at such a time that the MDMR has determined that the
shrimp have reached legal size (statistically probable in the second week of June). Additionally, the area south of the
Intracoastal Waterway will be closed after April 30 of each year and prior to the opening of the season for shrimp.
Recreational Season
All rules and regulations of commercial shrimp apply.
Commercial Gear Limitations
Shrimp may be taken in any manner south of a line formed by the barrier islands of Cat, Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois. North of
this line (within Mississippi Sound), shrimp may only be taken with a single net measuring no larger than fifty feet (50’)
along the head rope and sixty feet (60’) along the foot rope or not more than two nets, each measuring no more than twentyfive
feet (25’) on the head rope and thirty-two feet (32’) on the foot rope. Trawl boards on double rig, commercial shrimp
vessels are limited to a 6’x34” maximum door size. Single rig nets are not affected. A test (or try) trawl no larger than
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