Charter Boat Exemption from Certain Bag Limits

Charter Boat Exemption from Certain Bag Limits A. Persons on a licensed charter boat or headboat may possess a two-day (2) bag limit only when complying with the following conditions and only for the species listed in A.06 of this chapter. 1. Charter boats must be less than one hundred (100) gross tons and meet Coast Guard requirements to carry six or fewer passengers. 2. Headboats must hold a valid certificate of inspection issued by the Coast Guard. 3. The charter boat or headboat must possess a reef fish permit if fishing for reef fish or in possession of reef fish in the EEZ. 4. The charter boat or headboat must have two (2) coast guard certified captains aboard (as required by Coast Guard regulations for trips over twelve (12) hours. 5. Each person aboard the charter boat or headboat must possess a certificate, issued in the name of the chartering company, stating the time and date the charter left the dock for trips in excess of twenty-four (24) hours. 6. King and Spanish Mackerel, snappers (Red, Vermillion, Lane, Gray, Mutton,Yellowtail, Schoolmaster, Cubera, Dog, Mahogany, Queen, Blackfin, Silk, and Wenchman), groupers (Misty, Snowy, Yellowedge, Warsaw, Speckled Hind, Red, Yellowfin, Black, Gag, Scamp, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, and Red Hind), Hogfish, Gray Triggerfish, Lesser Amberjack, Banded Rudderfish, Almaco Jack, Goldface Tilefish, Anchor Tilefish, Tilefish, Blackline Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, and Greater Amberjack. 7. Charter vessel captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Red Snapper and Greater Amberjack. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-15- 63, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and 50 CFR 622.38. B. A licensed for-hire vessel may obtain a two-day bag limit endorsement from the MDMR for a fee of $100 per year. The endorsement allows the vessel to possess a two-day bag limit (whole or filleted) of Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Southern Flounder under all of the following conditions: 1. The endorsement only applies while fishing in Mississippi territorial waters. 2. The trip must extend beyond 24 hours before returning to the mainland. 3. The harvest must comply with Mississippi’s current size limits, regardless of the place of harvest. 4. The harvest must comply with Mississippi daily catch limits. This endorsement does not authorize any person to take more than one daily Mississippi bag limit during one calendar day. 5. The vessel must obtain a float plan from the MDMR prior to each trip. 6. The vessel may possess the two-day limit only during its final return to the mainland. During the final return, fishing is prohibited. 7. The vessel’s captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Southern Flounder while exercising the endorsement. The presence of the captain and crew does not count towards the vessel’s daily possession limit for the species listed above. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-35, 49-15-63, 49-15-75, 49-15- 303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and 50 CFR 622.38. C. The vessel operator must file a float plan with the MDMR during regular office hours prior to disembarking. A copy of the float plan must be on board the vessel for the duration of the trip. The float plan must be submitted on forms provided by the MDMR and must contain the following: 1. Name of the applicant. 2. Owner of the vessel. 3. Name of the vessel captain. 4. Official vessel registration number. 5. Description of the vessel. 6. Date, time, and location of departure. 7. Passenger manifest. 8. Destinations. 9. Anticipated date, time, and location of return. 10. Signatures of the applicant and the Department official receiving the plan. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-15- 63, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305 and 49-15-307. D. Charter vessel captain and crew are prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of Red Snapper, Greater Amberjack, and Spotted Seatrout. MISS. CODE ANN. §§ 49-15-1, 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-15, 49-15-30, 49-15-35, 49-15-35, 49-15- 63, 49-15-71, 49-15-75, 49-15-303, 49-15-304, 49-15-305, 49-15-307 and 50 CFR 622.38. CHAPTER 07 RECREATIONAL BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE