MS HC59

Recognizes Mississippi's Tails n' Scales Reporting Program as the best scientific information available for monitoring red snapper catch and effort, noting it has been peer-reviewed, certified by NOAA Fisheries, and achieved over 95% compliance from recreational anglers.

Calls on NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council to not scale Tails n' Scales data into the Marine Recreational Information Program until additional information such as the Great Red Snapper Count is analyzed and incorporated into a new stock assessment.

Requests that NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf Council allow Mississippi to set a red snapper quota not exceeding recent years' allocations while continuing to use Tails n' Scales for monitoring recreational harvest.

Affirms support for Mississippi anglers' constitutional right to harvest fish under Mississippi Constitution Article 3, Section 12A while using the best available science.

Directs copies be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gulf Council members, Mississippi's Congressional delegation, and Capitol Press Corps.