14-28-MMS| March 31, 2014
BILOXI, Miss.– The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources will begin renewing commercial fishing licenses April 1 and selling new commercial licenses beginning April 15.
Commercial fishermen who live in Mississippi can purchase licenses to catch shrimp, crab, fish, oysters and live bait, as well as business licenses for dealers and processors. The fees for Mississippi residents range from $10 to $500, and some fishermen require more than one license. Fees for out-of-state residents vary.
All commercial licenses bought in 2013 expire April 30, including those for seafood dealers and processors. Recreational fishing licenses, including those for shrimp, crab and oysters, as well as charter boat and charter boat interstate commerce licenses, expire one year from the date of purchase.
Beginning May 1, commercial fishermen who harvest spotted seatrout must have an endorsement in addition to the commercial license. The endorsement is $10. The endorsement can be bought at the same time as a commercial fishing license.
Commercial fishermen must show a valid boat registration and a current driver’s license whether they are updating a license or purchasing one for the first time. If the boat is not in your name, you must present a valid driver’s license of the registered owner of the vessel.
To purchase a charter boat license, a person must present a current driver’s license, valid boat registration, current drug screen enrollment card, liability insurance on the vessel and a captain’s certificate.
Licenses will be sold from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at MDMR, 1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, on the second floor. Licenses also will be sold at the Pass Christian Check Station from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday starting April 1 through April 18. The endorsement to harvest seatrout is available only at the Bayview Avenue location.
For more information about licenses, go to www.dmr.ms.gov.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
