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New Speckled Trout rules begin Jan. 16, 2017 for recreational fishermen

17-03-MMS| January 13, 2017

BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources are reminding fishermen that the new minimum size limit for Speckled Trout goes into effect Monday, Jan. 16.

 

The Commission on Marine Resources voted in December to increase the size limit to 15 inches for recreational fishermen and to prohibit charter vessel captains and crew from keeping a daily bag limit. The daily limit for Speckled Trout remains at 15.

 

MDMR scientists completed a peer-reviewed stock assessment of Speckled Trout in 2016 and determined that the agency needed to take action to increase the stock of this popular fish.

 

“We have seen an increase in recreational fishing over the past 10 years, and because of that, we’re taking more Speckled Trout out of the population,” said Jamie Miller, executive director of MDMR.

 

“Our scientists ran several different models to determine the best way to increase the spawning potential ratio, and they found that increasing the size limit from 13 inches to 15 inches would produce the best results. We believe that this will help us get to a sustainable stock of Speckled Trout in the next three to five years.”

 

For the latest information regarding Speckled Trout regulations, call 1-844-SPECK16 (773-2516) or send an email to speckinfo@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 dmr.ms.gov.

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