Harvesting Molluscan Shellfish from State-Owned Reefs

Harvesting Molluscan Shellfish from State-Owned Reefs A. The following reef locations are hereby defined as state-owned reefs: 1. The location and boundaries within Henderson Point Reef are defined beginning at 30.28911, -89.306056; thence running south to 30.275936, - 89.307225; thence running easterly to 30.276742, -89.286143; thence running north-northwest to 30.285544, -89.287495; thence northwest to 30.286804, - 89.298546; thence north- northwest to 30.288524, -89.301152; thence west- northwest to the starting point of 30.28911, -89.306056. 2. The location and boundaries within Pass Christian Reef are defined beginning at 30.295625, -89.259498; thence running due south to 30.266667, - 89.259722; thence running eastward to 30.266706, -89.239754; thence running due north to 30.295594, -89.238995; thence running northwest to 30.307562, - 89.243751; thence east-southeast to 30.304763, -89.253733; thence southeast to the starting point of 30.295625, -89.259498. 3. The location and boundaries within Pass Marianne Reef are defined beginning at 30.260434, -89.257656; thence running due south to 30.232937, - 89.257053; thence running east-northeast to 30.237694, -89.235895; thence heading north- northeast to 30.261201, -89.229848, thence running westerly to the starting point of 30.260434, -89.257656. 4. The location and boundaries within Biloxi Bay Reef are defined beginning at 30.390865, -88.850817; thence north-northeast to 30.397775, -88.849747; thence running easterly 30.398098, -88.840548; thence southeast to 30.397022, - 88.838840; thence due south to 30.390560, -88.839293; thence westerly to the starting point of 30.390865, -88.850817. 5. The location and boundaries within Shearwater Reef are defined beginning at 30.395348, -88.828985; thence running north-northeast to 30.396273, - 88.828634; thence running east-northeast to 30.396738, -88.823464; thence running southeast to 30.395822, -88.820765; thence running due south to 30.392236, -88.820854; thence running northwest to the starting point of 30.395348, -88.828985. 6. The location and boundaries within Pascagoula West Reef are defined beginning at 30.350556, -88.629745, thence running north to 30.351887, - 88.629707; thence running east to 30.351965, -88.619731; thence southeast to 30.346569, -88.615309; thence southwest to 30.345063, -88.619559; thence northwest to the starting point of 30.350556, -88.629745. 7. The location and boundaries within the Pascagoula Causeway Reef are defined beginning at 30.337473, -88.586133; thence running west-northwest to 30.338845, - 88.592265; thence northwest to 30.343418, -88.596595; thence north-northeast to 30.349412, -88.595152; thence east to 30.349177, - 88.588124; thence running south-southeast to starting point of 30.337473, - 88.586133. B. All molluscan shellstock taken from state-owned reefs by any person, firm or corporation must measure three (3) inches or more from end to end. End to end measurement is the greatest length from the hinge to the bill. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to purchase, sell or possess molluscan shellfish harvested from public reefs that are under the legal-size limit. C. Any person, firm or corporation harvesting molluscan shellfish on state-owned reefs must first register on the day of harvest with the MDMR. 1. Check stations will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time when the area is open for harvest or until the final harvester that checked in for the day has checked out. 2. All shellfish harvesting activities must cease prior to 4:00 p.m. each day and all fishermen must be checked out at the appropriate check station by 4:00 p.m. If a harvester does not return to a check station by 4:00 p.m., all shellfish harvested that day will be confiscated by an MDMR Authority. 3. Any exception to these conditions due to unforeseen circumstances must have prior approval by an MDMR Authority. D. All molluscan shellfish must be properly tagged immediately upon landing on the date of harvest. E. All shellstock must be packed in clean containers before the boat or vessel leaves the reef from which they were harvested. F. Molluscan shellstock harvested from state-owned reefs must be culled according to MS Code 49-15-38. 1. Harvesters must immediately scatter and broadcast evenly, all dead shells, small oysters, and oysters in excess of the daily sack limits onto the natural reefs from which they are taken. 2. A ten percent (10%) tolerance by number is allowed in relation to any culling. The ten percent (10%) tolerance is determined from a representative sample of ten percent (10%) of the total catch. G. It is unlawful to transfer molluscan shellfish from one vessel to another vessel, until vessels have been checked out at the designated landing location. H. While engaged in the harvest of molluscan shellfish, it is unlawful for any boat or vessel to tow or to be tied to any other boat or vessel licensed for shellfish harvesting. I. It is unlawful for any boats or vessels engaged in the harvest of molluscan shellfish to fail to be continuously manned by a qualified person capable of operating the boat or vessel from the time of check-in for the day until the time of check-out. J. Upon registration, while harvesting, or upon check-out, each person may be required to show their license to an MDMR Authority. K. It is unlawful for any harvester engaged in harvesting molluscan shellfish on a tonging reef to have an oyster dredge on board the boat or vessel.