Mississippi requires each agency to provide an economic impact statement for the adoption of a rule or amendment to an existing rule imposing a duty, responsibility or requirement on any person. The Commission on Marine Resources proposed a spotted sea trout endorsement that requires individuals harvesting spotted sea trout for sale must possess a spotted sea trout endorsement in addition to a current applicable harvester’s license.
Beginning May 1, commercial fishermen will be required to obtain an endorsement along with their commercial fishing license in order to harvest spotted seatrout. - See more on DMR's website.
Fishing Regulation
Individuals harvesting spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) for sale must possess a spotted seatrout endorsement ($10.00) in addition to a current applicable harvester’s license. To qualify for this endorsement an application must be completed. The fisher must present proof that five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) of seafood product was sold in any twelve (12) consecutive months. Proof would be copies of sales records and a copy of the applicable harvester’s license for the appropriate time period, or the fisher must present proof that (10) percent of their net income came from commercial fishing activities in a previous tax year. Proof would be a form provided by the DMR completed by a licensed tax preparer possessing a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number), notarized, and submitted to the department. This endorsement will be valid for a three year period at which time a new application with qualifying documents must be submitted for a new endorsement. The income requirement and seafood sale provision of this section shall cease to be in effect April 30, 2020 unless further Commission action is taken to extend the requirement.
Economic Sector
Commercial finfish fishing corresponds to economic sector 114111 in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). Finfish fishing comprises establishments primarily engaged in the commercial catching or taking of finfish (e.g., bluefish, salmon, trout, tuna) from their natural habitat. The long-term annual Mississippi commercial landings of speckled trout or spotted sea trout are shown below.
Source of raw data: NOAA Fisheries.
The number of Mississippi commercial hook and line licenses issued to resident and non-resident commercial fishermen are shown below.
Source of raw data:MS-DMR Annual Reports.
Source: Posadas, Benedict C., Ruth A. Posadas, and Matt Hill. Economic Impact Statement of the Spotted Seatrout Endorsement in the State of Mississippi. Report prepared upon request of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Biloxi, Mississippi.