HB 1396 Summary

• Creates new Section 49-15-82 prohibiting possession or use of gill nets, trammel nets, entanglement nets, or similar devices in Mississippi marine waters unless the fisherman holds a valid commercial fishing license with a current net endorsement that has been continuously maintained since July 1, 2014.

• Restricts net endorsements to persons who held valid commercial gill and trammel net licenses during 2012 and 2013, received Department of Marine Resources approval for nets after January 1, 2009, and have not been convicted of fishing violations in the past three years.

• Requires licensees to demonstrate annual sales of either $5,000 in seafood caught by gill or trammel nets or sales equivalent to 10 percent of net income from such fishing to maintain their net endorsement.

• Brings forward existing regulations prohibiting gill and trammel nets within one-half mile of shoreline and north of Highway 90, with penalties ranging from $2,000-$4,000 for first offense and $4,000-$10,000 for subsequent violations, plus net and catch forfeiture.

• Takes effect July 1, 2014.