TABLE OF CONTENTS SHRIMP

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SHRIMP Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas LIVE BAIT DEALERS Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas SHELLFISH OYSTERS AND CLAMS Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas SHELLFISH CRABS Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas SHELLFISH LOBSTERS Florida FINFISH Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas SALTWATER NETS Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas SEAFOOD BUSINESS LICENSES Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas FISHING REGULATIONS FOR GULF OF MEXICO FEDERAL WATERS. MAPS Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas National Marine Fisheries Service OFFICE COPY ONLY Page

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5 A SUMMARY OF MARINE FISHING LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GULF STATES SllRIHP CATEGORY Co1I1Dercial License Recreational License AGENCY AL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Co1I1Dercial Shrimp aoats Under 30' $ $76.00 Over $ {Non-residents pay the same fee as that charged Alabama residents in the applicant's state of residence - except for reciprocal state, Mississippi. Non-resident licenses are sold only by Marine Resources Division of fices) $16.00 boat license. {Non-residents pay the same fee as that charged Alabama residents in the applicant's state of residence - except for reciprocal state, Mississippi.) Connercial Season Recreational Season Co1I1Dercial Gear Limitations Set by regulation. Prohibited in areas closed to c011ddercial shrimping and permanently closed areas. Shrimping is allowed throughout the year in Dauphin Island Bay and Terry Cove. No restrictions on mesh size. In inside waters {bays, sounds, etc.) a trawl or trawls used together cannot exceed SO' as measured along the main top line. No more than two trawls may be used at the same time (not including a try trawl, which cannot exceed 10 1 on the main top line). No restrictions on trawl size offshore (Gulf of Mexico). Webbing or netting shall not be hung, tied or otherwise connected between the rear of the trawl board or door and the adjacent wing -1-

6 line or between the top leg line and bottom leg line of any trawl so as to extend the width of any trawl or trawls over the legal width (SO'). No restrictions on trawl size offshore (Gulf of Mexico). Recreational Gear Limitations Commercial Legal.Size Trawl size not to exceed 16' as measured along the main top line. There are no restrictions on mesh size. Shrimp smaller in size than 68 count are not to be taken in Alabama waters. Recreational Legal Size Commercial Pounds Allowed Recreational Pounds Allowed In areas open to commercial shrimping, shrimp nrust be 68 count heads-on. No restrictions in Dauphin Island Bay and Terry Cove. No limit. In areas open to commercial shrimping, 25 pounds per person per day. In Dauphin Island Bay and Terry Cove, 5 pounds per boat per day. CATEGORY Commercial License AGENCY FL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Saltwater Products License (SPL) is required to engage in trapping stone crabs, blue crabs, the harvest of crawfish, commercial trawling for shrimp and non-resident sponge fishing. SPL are issued in the name of an individual or a valid boat registration number. An SPL is required to sell saltwater products (your harvest) and can only be sold to a licensed wholesale dealer. -2-

7 Resident individual - $50.00 Non-resident - $ Alien individual - $ Resident vessel - $ Non-resident vessel - $ Alien vessel - $ (Not~: Vessel SPL covers captain and crew on boar<! vessel). Recreational License Conunercial Season All non-resident recreational shrimp fishermen must have a current SPL. Resident using a net _ 16 1 or less requires net registration and are limited to 25 pounds aboard vessel. Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties: In Escambia Bay and above a line running east from Robinson Point in Blackwater Bay and east of a line running north across Alexon Point in East Bay, season is closed from January 1 through September 15. Al 1 bayous in Escambia County, from Brooks Bridge at Fort Walton Beach west to the Bob Sikes Bridge, and those parts of Five Mile Bayou, west of the bridge of State Road 85 crossing Garnier' s Bayou are closed to shrimping. During open seasons, shrimping is al lowed only during the hours of 6: 00 am until 9: 00 pm daily. Franklin. and Wakulla Counties: All areas north of the Gorrie Memorial Bridge are permanently closed. From April 1 to June 15, the area from Cape San Blas to Cape St. George, 3 miles seaward, is closed to nets exceeding 18 1 on the cork line. From March 1 to May, shrimping is prohibited in designated waters adjacent to Wakulla County. From July 15 to September 15, the Apalachicola Bay and St. Vincent Sound are closed during the daylight hours. Shrimping is closed in a portion of the Carrabelle River west and north of State Road 30 and in that portion of -3-

8 the Ochlockonee Bay west of State Road 30 all year. Citrus, Pasco and Hernando Cotmties: Shrimping in designated areas during designated dates is prohibited. Taylor, Dixie and Leyy Cotmties: Shrimping prohibited within designated areas with nets exceeding 35' on cork line or boats exceeding 35 1 in length. Lee Cotmty: Shrimping prohibited within a designated area. Tortugas Shrimp Bed: Shrimping prohibited except for live bait shrimping tmder permit. Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed: Night shrimping prohibited September through May. Recreational Season Commercial Gear Limitations All rules and regul~tions of commercial shrimp apply. Non-commercial trawls 16 ft. or less are required to be registered with the Department. Under this net or trawl registration no more than 25 lbs of shrimp can be possessed while on the water. An SPL is required if these conditions are not met. Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Cotmties: One net up to 45' on the cork line or two 22 1/2' nets on the cork line may be used on a boat. Leg lines cannot exceed 8 1 on the cork and lead lines. One try net up to 10' may be used; no cutbacks allowed on the try net. Mesh size must be a minimum of 1 1/2". Mesh is measured from the inside of one knot to the inside of the other knot. One chaffing gear is allowed per net and this may not be tied off. No inside liners may be utilized. Bay Cormty: Estuarine shrimping is restricted to one 45' net or two 22 1/2 1 nets, cork line measurements. Leg line cannot exceed

9 Gulf County: Within Joe Bay, shrimp nets are restricted i~ one 60' or two 30' nets. Mesh size must be 1 5/8 11 or larger. Franklin and Wakulla Counties: Net cannot excee4 50' in length in inside waters. Mesh size must be 1 11 bar or 2 11 stretch mesh in bays and sounds. In outside waters, there are no restrictions on length, mesh or size of. net, except between cape St. George and cape San Blas from April 1 through June 15. Recreational Gear Limitations Commercial Legal Size Recreational Legal Size Commercial Pounds Allowed Recreational Pounds Allowed All rules and regulations of cmmnercial Shrimp apply. The taking or possession of shrimp size smaller than 47 count heads-on or 70 count heads-off except in Apalachicola Bay and between the Apalachicola and Choctawhatcbee Rivers where the count is 55 heads-on is prohibited. All rules and regulations of commercial sbrimp apply. No liinit nets that are registered limited to 25 pounds. CATEGORY Commercial License AGENCY LA REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES All Commercial Shrimp Fishermen must purchase the following licenses: Commercial Fisherman Resident - $55.00 Non-resident - $

10 Vessel Resident - $15.00 Non-resident - $60.00 Gear Resident Shrimp' Trawl - $25.00 per trawl Non-resident Shrimp Trawl - $ per trawl Resident Butterfly - $25.00 per net Non-resident Butterfly - $ per net No fee is required for use of a test trawl when used with another trawl for which the gear fee has been paid, maximum test trawl 16 1 Recreational iicense Shrimp trawls 16' or less must be licensed. 100 pounds, heads on, per boat, per day is the maximum limit. Gear types an~ fees are as follows: Shrimp Trawls {resident) - $25.00 per trawl not exceeding 16 1 in length. Shrimp Trawls (non-resident) - $50.00 per trawl not exceeding 16 1 in length. You must purchase a basic sports fishing license to obtain a recreational gear license. Connnercial Season In state inside waters, the Connnission shall fix no less than two open seasons each year based upon biological and technical data. No open season shall begin on a Sunday. In state outside waters, season will be set by Connnission based upon biological and technical data. Recreational Season CoJIBDercial Gear Limitations Same as cojiddercial season. Trawls cannot have a mesh size less than 5/8 11 bar or 1 1/4" stretched. In state inside waters, trawls must be 50' or less along the -6-

11 cork line and 66' along the lead line and limited to one trawl plus.one test trawl, or pull no more than two 25' trawls with lead lines no longer than 33' and have trawl doors that do not exceed 6' in length and in height and a test trawl not to exceed 16' along th~ cork line or 20' along the lead line, except in Breton and Chandeleur Sound where you may pull up to two trawls of 65' or less along the cork line and 82' along the lead line plils one test trawl. There are no size limits on trawls in state outside waters, but there can be no more than four trawls. Any butterfly net located in West or East Pass of the Calcasieu River or in Oyster Bayou shall be tagged with a tag listing the fisherman's name, address and butterfly net license number. Recreational Gear Limitations CoD1Dercial Legal Size Recreational Legal Size CoD1Dercial Pounds Allowed Recreational Pounds Allowed Trawls cannot have a mesh size less than 5/8 11 bar or 1 1/4" stretched. Trawls must be 16' or less. There is a general rule that says you may not catch or possess both aboard the vessel.or seafood house_any saltwater white shrimp that average more than 100 per pound, unless you have legal documentation that they were taken in another state or country. There are no count restrictions on any shrimp during the spring open season. There are no count restrictions on sea bobs taken in state outside waters during any season. There are no count restrictions on bait shrimp. All rules and regulations of cod1dercial shrimp apply. No limit. 100 pounds per day per vessel. -1-

12 CATF.GORY Cc>aaercial License Recreational License Coanercial season Recreational Season Conmercial Gear Limitations MS px;ulations/explarations/fies Shrimp Boat under 30' Resident - $50.00 Non-resident* ~ $ Louisiana - $ net; $ nets Shrimp Boat 30-45' Resident - $75.00 Mon-resident* - $ Louisiana - $ net; $ nets Shrimp Boat over 45' Resident - $ Non-resident* - $ Louisiana - $ l net; $ nets *A non-resident will pay the same fee for a license that a Mississippi resident is charged as a non-resident. 'Dlis applies only if the fee is more than the non-resident fees listed. Resident - $15.00 Non-resident - $30.00 Trawling is prohibited north of the Intracoastal w~terway after sunset of December 31, except by licensed live bait dealers. Shrimp season is officially opened by public notic'e at such a time that the Bureau of Marine R~sources, Division of Saltwater Fisheries has determined that the shrimp have reached legal size (statistically probable in the second week of June). Additionally, the area south of the Intracoastal Waterway will be closed after April 30 of each year and prior to the opening of the season for shrimp. All rules and regulations of comnercial shrimp apply. Shrimp may be taken in any manner south of a line formed by the barrier islands of Cat, Ship, Hom and Petit Bois. North of. -8-

13 this line (within ttississippi Sound) shrillp Y only be taken, 1iith a single net measuring no. larger than.. 50' on the cork line and 60' along the lead lu.. A test (or try) trawl no larger than 12 1 on the cork line and 15' along the lead line used with boards no 110re tb l 30 1 in length is permitted in addition. Ip addit~on,. the wings of push-nets (chopsticks) may not be attached to the rigid supports or.p9les for a distance greater than 24' on. each side. Recreational Gear Liaitationa -lders of a recr tional shrimping license are l:laited to the use of a single net... uring no larger than 16 on the cork line. Coalercial Legal Size Shrimp smaller than 68-cowit are not to be taken. Recreational Legal Size All rules and regulations of c<>11111ercial shrimp apply. ~rcial. Pounds Allowed. No limit Recreational Pounds Allowed No limit. - r.ategqbx AGENCY gegulations/explanations/fees Comercial License TX Resident General Commercial Fisherman - SlS Required for any resident who catches edible aquatic products except oysters f:rom state,_aters for the purpose of sale, barter or exchange or any other coa:nercial purpose. Non-Resident General Commercial Fisherman - Sl Required for anyone "'ho has not been a resident of the state for at least 6 mnths. -9-

14 Bay Shrillp Boat - $ Required for each boat required to.be registered under federal or state laws, used in inside major bay waters for taking sbrillp or other edible aquatic prodticts for pay, barter, sale or exchadge. 'Dlis license is Jssue4 only in Jam,,P..,, and Febr 11 arv of each YMr and expim Ma.rch 1 of the followina Year Non-Resident Bay Shrimp Boat - $ Gulf Shrimp Boat - $ Required for each boat reqriired to be registered under federal or state laws, used in the Gulf or outside waters for taking shrimp or other edible aquatic products for pay, barter, sale or exchange or for boats unloading within the state such products taken outside the state's waters. Non-Resident Gulf Shrimp Boat - $ The captain and each paid member of the crew of boats having a Commercial Shrimp Boat License must have a Resident General or Non-resident General Commercial Fisherman's License which may be purchased in the name of the boat. The fee for this license is $15.00 per crew member for residents and $ per crew member for non-residents. Recreational License Commercial Season Inside Major Bays. Resident Sportf ishing License - $8.00 Non-Resident Sportfishing License - $15_.00 Saltwater Sportfishing Stamp - $5.00 Individual Bait Shrimp Trawl Tag - $15.00 Spring open season in "major bays" is from May 15 to July 15, days only, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 2:00 pm. Fall open season in "major bays" is from August 15 to December 15, days only, f roa 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Winter open season in "major bays" south of the Colorado River, nights only, 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. -10-

15 Conmercial Season - Gulf Recreational Season Commercial Gear Limitations The "outside waters" within 7 fathoms are closed to night shrimping ( 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise) throughout the year. The "outside waters" are closed from 30 minutes after sunset on May 15 to 30 minutes after sunset on July 15. The closing and opening dates of this season may be changed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission or the Executive Director to provide for an earlier or later season. The closing date may be changed with a 72-hour public notice and the season may be reopened with a 24-hour public notice. The "outside waters" within 7 fathoms are closed from December 16-February 1, both days inclusive. Seabobs may be taken in this closed season only during daylight hours and only by commercial gulf shrimp boats. The catch taken in this period may not include more than 10 percent by weight or numbers of shrimp of other species. Season same as commercial shrimp season. All trawl mesh, including bags, must not be less than 8 3/4 11 in length between the two most widely separated knots in any consecutive series of five stretched meshes after the net or bag has been placed in use in the fall bay season and Gulf. During the spring bay season and winter bay season trawl mesh must not be less than 6 1/2 11 in length between the two most widely separated knots in any consecutive series of five stretched meshes. Trawl size must meet the following specifications: Gulf - No width restriction except during the winter closed season. During the winter closed season no more than one trawl not exceeding 25' in width and with a mesh size no larger than 5 stretched meshes in 6 1/2" -11-

16 may be used to take seabobs within 7 fathoms. A try net not exceeding 21' in width as measured along an uninterrupted corkline from leading tip of door to leading tip of door and the doors or. boards may not exceed 450 square inches, QI a beam trawl not exceeding 10' in width may also be used. Fall Bay Season - Net may not exceed 95 1 in width measured from leading tip of door to leading tip of door along the uninterrupted corkline. Spring Bay and Winter Bay Season - Trawl measured from leading tip of door to leading tip of door. Doors Trawl Doors Trawl ' ' 6'-7' 46' ' 9' or more 54 1 A beam trawl used as a main trawl may not exceed 25 1 in total width. Recreational Gear Limitations Commercial Legal Size Recreational Legal Size Commercial Pounds Allowed Trawl may not exceed 20 1 in width measured from back of door to back of door, mesh must be at least 8 3 I 4 11 in length between the two most widely separated knots in any consecutive series of 5 stretched meshes. There are no size restrictions except in Major Bay waters from August 15 to October 31 when the legal count is 50 heads-on per pound during the fall open season. All rules and regulations of commercial shrimp apply. In Gulf (outside waters), no limit on pounds taken. In inside waters, no limit during fall open season and winter open season; no more than 600 pounds of any size heads-on -12-

17 shrimp per boat per day may be taken during the spring open season. Recreational Pounds Allowed Gulf (outside waters) pounds per day. Inside waters - 15 pounds during fall and spring open seasons. -13-

18 CATEGORY License AGENCY AL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Sell live shrimp for bait and operate one boat or one truck - $51.00 Sell live shrimp for bait and operate two boats or two trucks - $ (Limit two boats or trucks per dealer.) Season No closed season. closed areas. Prohibited in permanently Gear Legal Size Pounds Allowed Restrictions CATEGORY License Season AGENCY FL One trawl per boat. Trawl shall not exceed 16' as measured across main top line. No mesh restrictions. Boats shall display the words "LIVE BAIT" in letters no smaller than 6" high on each side of the boat; shall have a tank with a spray system operated by a pump or commercial fish aerator, or a live well with forced water exchange. No restrictions. No restrictions on live shrimp. Dead shrimp not to exceed 15 pounds with head on per boat at any time. Drags shall not exceed 20 consecutive minutes before retrieving trawl and sorting bait shrimp into the live tank. Shrimp can be sold only when alive or with heads attached. REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES SPL required. In St. Johns River (Duval County) a live bait production license ($50.00) is required. All year. -14-

19 Gear Legal Size Pounds Allowed Restrictions All live bait. shrimp boats must be equipped with live bait shrimp tanks. St. Johns River. - Duval County. Net carinot exceed 60 1 perimeter measurement. Live biiit tank required._. No restrictions. No more than 50 pounds of dead shrimp under the count size classification will be allowed on board in Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando and Pasco Counties. In all other counties no more than 5 pounds of dead shrimp are allowed on board. Information not available. CATEGORY License Season Gear AGENCY LA REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Live bait dealers controlled by cod1dission action. Persons allowed to take live shrimp for sale as bait must have a proper trawling license and post $1,000 bond with LDWF. Persons desiring to catch own bait may catch shrimp with cast nets, bait traps, dip nets (up to 3' diameter and hand operated), seines (less than and foot operated). A basic sports fishing license is required to take bait with a cast net. During the closed seasons, bait shrimp may be taken in state inside waters, but only with cast nets, bait traps, dip nets (diameter of no more than 3 1 and hand operated) or seines less than 100 feet in length with no mechanical devices. Trawls cannot have a mesh size less than 5/8" bar or 1 1/4" stretched. However, during closed seasons when seine nets are used, the -15-

20 bait seine must be 1/4 11 mesh or less. Permitted trawls cannot exceed 25' in length. Legal Size Pounds Allowed Restrictions No restrictions. No dead shrimp allowed in possession while trawling and operating under permit; dead shrimp may be sold at place of business in lots not exceeding 48 ounces for bait only. During the closed season, no bait shrimp may be taken in state waters with a butterfly net or trawl. A qualified bait dealer may get a special permit to take bait shrimp with a trawl not larger than 25' during the closed season between the spring and fall seasons. CATEGORY License Season Gear Legal size Pounds Allowed Restrictions AGENCY MS REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Live Bait Dealer - $50.00 Live Bait Boat - $50.00 Live bait trawling is permitted only during the hours between 30 minutes prior to official sunrise and sunset; areas are not opened to live bait shrimp until shrimp average at least 100 count. Trawls cannot be larger than 16' on the cork line. No restrictions. No more than 30 pounds of dead shrimp allowed on board at any time. Live bait dealers must mark their boats with the words "LIVE BAIT" in letters no smaller than 6" high on the port and starboard sides of the boat. The name of the bait camp must be similarly displayed. Fish caught coincidental to a live bait operation may be retained and sold for chum; however, if crabs -16-

21 are to be kept, the dealer is also required to hold a valid Mississippi Crab License. Live bait camps must meet the following special requirements: each camp must have adequate holding and aerating systems which must be cleaned of dead shrimp at least every 12 hours; no bulk sales of dead shrimp are permitted; dead shrimp may be sold only with heads on and in containers of 16 oz. or smaller. Someone must be readily available to serve customers during appropriate hours and each live bait-dealer application must include these hours, at least eight per 24 hour period. CATEGORY License Season Gear AGENCY TX REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Bait Shrimp Dealer - $ Required for any person engaging in the business of selling shrimp for bait in a coastal county. Bait Shrimp Boat - $ Required for any boat used in the inside or bay waters of the state for taking bait shrimp for sale. Non-Resident Bait Shrimp Boat - $ Open year round: Legal shrimping hours - 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset from July 16 through May 14; and 30 minutes before sunrise to 2:00 pm from May 15 through July 15. There is a special commercial bait season and legal hours in the Laguna Madre in Nueces County. Check with the Parks and Wildlife Department for information. Mesh: not less than 6 1/2" over 5 stretched meshes. Trawl width (measured from leading tip of door to leading tip of door): -17-

22 Doors Width Doors Width ' ' 6'-7' '-8' & over 54 1 A beam trawl used as a main trawl may not exceed 25 1 in total width. Legal Size Pounds Allowed Restrictions No restrictions. No more than 200 pounds heads-on shrimp per day may be taken from inside waters by commercial bait boats. 50% of commercial bait shrimp on board the boat must be kept in a live condition except from August 16 through November

23 CATEGORY License Requirements AGENCY AL SlllLU'ISll - OYS".b.QCS AJD> CLAMS REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES All licenses expire September 30th of each year. Persons are allowed to take up to 100 oysters for personal consumption without a Catcher's License. Commercial Oyster Catcher - $ Required by all persons (must be in possession) taking oysters for commercial purposes. Resident Seafood Dealer - $ Required by any person, firm or corporation opening oysters for resale. Oysters may be opened for resale only on premises certified by the AL Department of Public Health. -- Required by any person, firm or corporation wholesaling or retailing oysters, whether shucked or in the shell (except grocery stores or restaurants who purchase oysters for resale from licensed Alabama seafood dealer. -- Required by any person, firm, corporation or association before engaging in the retail sale of oysters in or out of the shell (except canned processed oysters) from any vehicle. Nonresidents pay the same fee as that charged Alabama residents to conduct the same activity in the applicant's state of residence; provided, that nonresidents shall not pay less than twice the cost for said license as that charged Alabama residents. Oyster Dredge - $ Required before an oyster dredge can be used along with evidence that a $1,000 bond has been secured. -19-

24 Seasons Gear Size Limits Limits Leases The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Health are authorized to open and close areas during al 1 or parts of the year. Taking oysters from a closed area for any reason is a misdemeanor. Taking oysters from open areas before sunrise or after 4:00 pm is prohibited. Transporting oysters at night through closed areas is prohibited. Oysters may be taken from public reefs and waterbottoms by nand or oyster tongs. Oyster dredges may be used only by owners or lessees of private oyster reefs only after purchasing an Oyster Dredge License, posting a $1000 bond and receiving written authorization from the Department of.conservation and Natural Resources. Oysters taken for either commercial or personal consumption must be at least 3" in length {5% undersize tolerance). Oysters must be culled on the reef where they are taken. Unlawful to take or have in possession more than 8 sacks of oysters per boat per day. Unlawful to land any oysters for commercial purposes which have not been sacked in this manner. Persons, firms or corporations desiring to lease oyster bottoms shall make application in writing to the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed. It is the duty of each lessee to have established an accurate survey by a registered surveyor of the bottoms, beds or reefs under his control, and each corner shall be clearly marked and defined with the lessee's name clearly attached. Intermediate markers shall be placed and plat of the area filed with the division of marine resources -20-

25 together with a list of any persons using said lease area (list must be updated every 30 days). Restrictions It is unlawful to drag any seines over the public reefs or private oyster grounds. Oysters taken cojiddercially must be sacked and each sack tagged before landing. Tags may be purchased for $0.25/each at Marine Resources Division offices. CATEGORY License Reqqirements Seasons Gear Size Limits Limits Leases Restrictions AGENCY FL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Oysters and clams can only be harvested from approved shellfish harvesting areas. Oyster Harvesting License -- Required for Apalachicola Bay only. Resident - $ Non-resident and Alien - $ Oyster Relaying Permit - No Charge. Oyster Leases - $5.00/acre Season is closed between June 1 and September 1 of each year except in Apalachicola Bay. Dredges may be used for harvesting oysters or clams on private leases after posting a $3000 bond and securing a Special Activity License. Minimum size for oysters is 3". Mini.mum size for clams is 1 11 thick. Bag limits are established in certain areas of the state for oysters. Information available from FDNR. Oysters and clams can only be harvested from an approved shellfish harvesting area. -21-

26 CATEGORY License Requirements Seasons Gear AGENCY LA REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES All cominercial oyster fishermen must purchase the following licenses: Commercial Fisherman Resident - $55.00 Non-resident - $ Vessel Resident Non-resident - $60.00 Oyster Harvestor License Resident - $ Non-resident - $ Required of each person on board oyster harvesting vessel except Louisiana residents 16 years of age or under, and except the spouse of a vessel's owner while on that vessel. Gear Resident Oyster Tongs - $30.00/tong Non-resident Oyster Tongs - $240.00/tong Resident Oyster Dredge - $25.00/dredge Non-resident Oyster Dredge - $200.00/dredge Designated when open by commission action, natural reefs may be fished from the first Wednesday after Labor Day through April 1 of each year. Oysters may be taken from public oyster beds by dredges, scrapers and tongs -- except in Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes where tongs only are allowed. Dredges and scrapers used shall be no longer than 6' in width measured along the tooth bar. The dredge teeth shall be no longer than 5 11 in length and there shall be no more than seven dredges in use on one vessel. -22-

27 Size Limits Limits Leases Restrictions All oysters taken from natural reefs d.ist be over 3 11 in length from hinge to mouth. A lessee of private oyster grounds may take any size oysters from his grounds for coiilllercial purposes. No more than 10 1/2 bushel sacks per boat per day may be taken from Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes only; unlimited elsewhere for commercial. Recreational - two sacks per boat per day may be taken without a license if oysters are taken for personal consumption and taken by hand. You may purchase a recreational tong license for $5.00 but are limited to two sacks per boat, per day, for your own consumption. Any person who qualifies and who desires to lease a part of the bottom or bed of any of the waters shall present to the Secretary (of LDWF) a written application and cash deposit of such amount as is determined by the Department. Lessees, under supervision of the LDWF, shall stake off and mark the leased water bottoms in order to locate accurately and fix the limits of the water bottoms embraced in each lease. Areas shall also be prominently marked with signs which state the lease number and name or initials of the lessee. No person shall trawl or seine over any privately leased bedding ground or oyster propagating place which is staked off, marked, or posted as required by law or regulation. CATEGORY License Requirements AGENCY MS REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Tonging Resident - $50.00 Non-resident - $ Louisiana - $

28 Dredging Resident - $ Non-resident - $ Louisiana - $ Recreational Resident - $10.00 Non-resident - $10.00 Seasons Gear Size Limits Limits Leases Season is regulated by Legal Notice of the CoDDDission on Wildlife Conservation, and notice thereof will be duly published in local newspapers and released to both the radio and television media. During open season, oysters may be taken only during daylight hours. Oysters may be taken by any of the traditional methods of oystering in the State of Mississippi, that is, by hand (cooning), with tongs, or by using a hand dredge. Dredges for oystering may not exceed 115 pounds in weight nor may they have in excess of 16 teeth. Restrictions on the maximum number of dredges carried will be established seasonally by the Connnission on Widlif e Conservation. Oysters for personal consumption may be taken by hand (cooning) or with tongs. Oysters taken in state waters must be at least 3 11 long (at the greatest length of the shell). At times, however, the Bureau may decrease this limit upon Public Notice to that effect. Connnercial dredging limits are to be set and tonging 1 imi ts are set seasonally. Recreational catch limit is three sacks/week. The Mississippi Connnission on Wildlife Conservation, Bureau of Marine Resources conducts a program of oyster leasing. Any resident of the state may lease state -24-

29 waterbottoms for the purpose of oyster culture. Oysters taken from private lease areas must be so designated by tags indicating the official leased number issued by the BMR. Restrictions Oysters may be taken only from those waters approved for shellfish harvest by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The harvesting, shucking, processing and sale of oysters must also conform to all regulations specified by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Following heavy rains, natural reefs and leased areas may be temporarily closed. Such closures are published in local newspapers and released to local television and radio media. Oysters taken from state waters must be tagged. Oysters taken from other than state waters must be accompanied by a Bill of Lading indicating the point of origin. Oysters taken for personal consumption must also be inspected; and a tag will be issued for each sack. Such tags will identify that the contents are not to be sold. CATEGORY License Requirements Seasons AGENCY TX REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Resident Commercial Oyster Boat License - $ Non-resident Commercial Oyster Boat License - $ Required for each boat used to transport or for taking oysters for pay or for the purpose of sale, barter or exchange or any other commercial purpose from the public waters of this state by utilizing a dredge, tongs or other mechanical means. May be purchased only during the month of August. Season is open from November 1 through April 30 except in that part of the Laguna Madre -25-

30 south of the Port Mansfield Channel and all private leases with permits from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department where there is no closed season. During open season oysters may be taken only from sunrise to sunset. Gear Size Limits Limits Leases Oyster dredges not more than in width across the mouth and of not more than two-barrel capacity may be used or possessed on board any boat in public waters. CoJJDDercial vessels may not have more than two dredges on board. Only one dredge may be used at any one time. Minimum size for oysters is 3". Oysters 3/4" to 3 11 are to be culled and returned to reef from which taken. Provided, however, that each cargo may contain not more than 15% of oysters of this size. CoJJDDercial boats are limited to not more than SO barrels of legal size oysters. Not more than two barrels of uncul led oysters are permitted on board while fishing on a reef. Leases are granted to individuals upon approval of Coastal Fisheries Division. Restrictions Oysters may be taken only from waters approved by the State CoJJDDissioner of Health. -26-

31 CATEGORIES Licenses Restrictions Legal Size AGENCY AL SBEJJ7.lSB - CRABS REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES CoDDDercial - $51.00 (over 5 traps). Recreational - No license (5 traps maximum) Traps/boats must display identifying markings. (Non-residents pay the same fee as that charged Alabama residents to conduct the same activity in the applicant's state of residence, or not less than twice the amount of resident license.) It shall be unlawful to set or place any trap used for the taking of crabs within 100 yards of any marked navigational channel or public boat launching ramp. Traps shall not exceed 27 cubic feet in volume. It is unlawful to take crabs from traps belonging to another without written authorization. F.ach codddercial crab trap shall be marked with at least one buoy no smaller than 6" in diameter. At least 1/2 of the buoy shall be white. It is unlawful to remove cojidercial crab traps from the water or remove crabs from codddercial crab traps during the hours from sunset to 1 hour before sunrise the following day. It shall be unlawful to sell for coj11dercial purposes blue crabs that measure less than 5" in width as measured across the widest points of the upper shell. Provided, however, this limitation does not apply to soft-shelled crabs or crabs sold for use as bait. CATEGORIES Licenses AGENCY FL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES An SPL is required to engage in the trapping of stone crabs and to fish with more than five blue crab traps. Saltwater Products License -- Required by the fisherman to sell any saltwater product and -27-

32 allows sale only to a licensed wholesale dealer. Restrictions Legal Size Stone crab claws season is closed between May 15 and October 15. Hardshell blue crabs must be 5" in width if sold. Stone crab claws must have 2 3/4 11 forearm length. CATEGORIES Licenses AGENCY LA REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Resident Recreational Crab Trap - $10.00 Non-resident Recreational Crab Trap - $ Required for use of no more than 10 traps. Resident Recreational Crab Trap - Attached to a trotline (up to 10 traps) - $1.00/trap Non~resident Recreational Crab Trap - Attached to a trotline (up to 10 traps) - $2.00/trap Resident Connnercial Crab Trap - Attached to a trotline (up to 25 traps) - $1.00/trap Non-resident Conunercial Crab Trap - Attached to a trotline (up to 25 traps) - $4.00/trap Resident Conunercial Crab Trap Gear License - $25.00 Non-resident Conunercial Crab Trap Gear License - $ Resident Conunercial Fisherman License - $55.00 Non Resident Conunercial Fisherman License - $ Resident Vessel License - $15.00 Non-Resident Vessel License - $60.00 Restrictions Legal Size Taking adult female crabs in the so-called berry stage (or with eggs attached) is strictly prohibited, and if caught must be returned to the waters alive. Hardshell blue crabs must be 5 11 in width, crabs less than 5 inches in width may be -28-

33 taken for the purpose of producing soft crabs only. Soft shell blue crabs must be 4 1/2" in width. CATF.GORIES Licenses Restrictions Legal Size AGENCY MS RF.GlJLATIONS/E:XPLANATIONS/FEES Conmercial Crabbing Resident - $75.00 Non-resident - $ Crabs may also be taken by trawl; however, the trawl must not exceed the maxinama allowable dimensions specified for shrimp. All crabs incidentally caught in trawls ajst be illlnediately returned to the water unless the boat operator holds a valid state crab fishing license. Crab pots or traps a.u;t be visibly marked with the license number of the owner. All egg-bearing crabs caught south of the Intracoastal Waterway between the Gulfport Ship Channel and the MS/ AL state line must be immediately returned to the water. No egg bearing crabs may be taken March 15 to May 1. It is illegal to remove crabs from traps for which one is not licensed. A valid crabbing license amst be obtained when using in excess of six crab traps or whenever crabs caught are to be offered for sale point to point. CATEGORIES Licenses AGENCY TX REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES General Co111Dercial Fisherman -- Required for person who catches edible aquatic products except oysters from the waters of the state for pay or for the purpose of sale, barter or. exchange. Resident - $15.00 Non-resident - $

34 Saltwater Conunercial Fishing Boat -- Required for boat (registered under federal or state laws) used in taking aquatic life except oysters and shrimp from the tidal waters of the state for pay, barter, sale or exchange. Resident - $10.50 Non-resident - $60.00 Restri,.ctions Legal Size It is unlawful to possess egg-bearing crabs or stone crabs. No person may buy or sell a female crab that has its abdominal apron detached and was taken from coastal waters. No more than 300 crab traps may be used by any person. Crab trap buoys must be marked with the owner's name, address, and date set out. Crab traps must be marked with an orange floating buoy not less than 6 11 in width. Crab traps may not exceed 18 cubic feet. Crab traps may be fished only in coastal waters. Hardshell blue crabs must be 5 11 in carapace width. One claw may be removed from a stone crab and it must measure 2 1/2". -30-

35 CATEGORY Season Gear AGENCY FL REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES August 6-March 31 for spiny lobster. Trap may be placed in the water five days prior to season. Traps must be removed from the water by April 5. There is a special two-day non-trap recreational spiny lobster season the last full weekend prior to August 1. Wood slat traps and until April 1, 1993 plastic traps with a wood slat top panel. Trap can be no larger th.an 3 ' x 2 ' x 2' or equivalent. Vessel and Gear Identification Size Restrictions Harvest Limitations Each trap must have a buoy or be attached to a trap trotl ine; al 1 traps and buoys must have the trap number permanently affixed. Buoy numbers shall be at least 2 11 high. The buoy color and trap number must be displayed on boats working traps so as to be readily identifiable from both the air and water. Spiny lobsters minimum size is more than 3 11 carapace or 5 1/2 11 tail measurement if separated from head. Separating the head from tail of lobster is prohibited in state waters. Egg bearing lobsters must be returned to the water unharmed. The stripping of eggs or removal of the pleopods from the lobster is prohibited. The bag limit during the two-day recreational season is 6 spiny lobster per person per day. Recreational bag limit during regular season is 6 lobsters per person or 24 per boat whichever is greater. Traps worked during daylight hours only. The working of another's traps without written permission is prohibited. -31-

36 Size and Possession Limits for Alabama are as follows: Mini.mum Maximum Daily Posses- length length Species bag sion in inches in inches Recreational n Ul N AL Speckled trout 10 3 (1) (1) Redf ish 3 -s... n Red snapper 7 ~. ~.3 DJ... Sn?;>per c-t (/) Gray 10 1 (/') :::r (/) Hutton 0 DJ ~ 3 Yellowtail :::s Cl) Spanish macke~el 10 O" DJ (1) (/) King mackerel... 0 Amber jack 3 ~ Striped bass 3 6 Black (gag) grouper = ten f" 1s h 1n. aggregate 2 From June 6, 1990 through June 30, 1990, 1 fish per person per day, after which period the following shall apply: 2 for persons fishing on piers and private boats, and for persons fishing from charter boats, 3 excluding captain and crew. 3 When caught in areas designated as salt water. 4 5 = five fish in aggregate (groupers). COlllllercial Speckled trout Red snapper Redf ish Ling (Cobia) Black (gag) frouper Striped bass Florida pompano Vermilion snapper Lane snapper Gray snapper Mutton snapper Yellowtail snapper 1when caught in areas designated as salt water. 14 n. 13 n. 16 n. 37 n. 20 n. 16 n. 12 n. 8 TI. 8 n. 12 TL 12 TL 12 TL 26 TL -32-

37 It is unlawful state waters. speckled trout to sell speckled trout and red drum caught in No allowance for undersized fish, except: - 2; redfish - 1 undersized fish allowed, 2 may exceed the maximum size IF bearing tags registered with the Marine Resources Division. Size and Possession Limits for Florida are as follows: FL Minimum Maximum Daily Posses- length length Species bag sion in inches in inches Amber jack 3 28 Blue fish 10 Black mullet,., Bonef ish Clams 1" thick Cobia 33 FL Flounder 11 Grouper Mackerel King 2 12 Spanish 4 12 Pompano 9 1/2 Red drum Sea bass 8 )':,' Snapper i~'a:snook ~ 1 over 34 Striped bass Trout Billfish 1 Black drum m'c'd:tarpon 2 )' Black mullet minimum length co1idi1ercial size limit. m' Red snapper 13", Schoolmaster 10 11, Gray 10" recreational and 12" co1idi1ercial, Lane and Vermillion 8", all other Snapper 12". )' in' Snook closed season January, February, June, July and August. ****Tarpon - a $50.00 tarpon tag required to harvest or kill a Tarpon. -33-

38 Size and Possession Limits for Louisiana are as follows: Species Daily bag Possession Minimum length in inches Maximum length in inches LA Recreational Speckled trout Red drum 5 5 CobiCi Black drum 5 5 Red snapper 1 1 King mackerel 2)'C Spanish mackerel over (33 FL) 1 over (12 FL) Recreational daily bag and possession>'n'' 1 Queen, mutton, schoolmaster, blac!f in, cubera, gray, dog, mahogany gray, silk, yellowtail snappers 1 and wenchman 10 (in aggregate) All grouper 5 (in aggregate) Red, gag, black, yellow in and nassau grouper Lane and vermillion snapper Jewf ish Greater amberjack Black seabass so 28 FL 8 *On vessels permitted by the NMFS as a charter vessel under the Federal Fisheries Management Plan for the Coastal Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, the limit is either 3 fish per person per trip excluding captain and crew, or 2 fish per person including captain and crew, whichever is greater. vessels and headboats are allowed two daily bag limits on multi-day trips under two conditions: 1) the vessel has two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips of ~b''charter -34-

39 over 12 hours; and 2) each passenger has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the length of the trip. Minimum Maximum Daily Posses- length length Species bag sion in inches in inches LA Commercial Speckled trout 14 Sheepshead 10 Black drum 16 Spanish mackerel 14 Cobia 37 Greater amberjack 36 FL All Resident recreational fishermen shall purchase an annual Basic Fishing License for $5.50. Licenses are available on May 1 and expire on June 30 of the following year. All Non-residents must purchase a Basic Fishing License for $15.50 for the period from July 1 through June 30 or a basic 7-day license for $ Resident Hook and Line License - $2.50 Resident Saltwater License - $5.50 Non-resident Saltwater License - $25.50 Non-resident Saltwater - 7 Day - $15.50 Non-resident Combo - 2 Day - $8.50 (No need for Basic Fishing License) Sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, hatchet marlin, and white marlin are game fish in Louisiana and may not be offered for sale. All saltwater finfish except tuna, garfish, swordfish and sharks must be landed intact. All tuna, garfish, swordfish, and sharks possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be skinned or scaled until set or put on shore from a vessel. -35-

40 Size and Possession Limits for Mississippi are as follows: Minimum Maximum Daily Posses- length length Species bag sion in inclies in inches Commercial MS Red drum 22 TL 1 over 30 TL Spotted sea trout 14 TL Mullet 10 FL Cobia FL Spanish mackerel 14 FL Red snapper 13 TL All fish must be landed with heads and tails intact until delivered to the final destination. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, of fer for sale, barter, trade or purchase any red drum smaller than the minimum legal length established in Mississippi for red drum or red drum taken from the waters of the state of Mississippi during a closed commercial season for red drum. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, offer for sale, barter, trade or purchase any red drum landed legally elsewhere and/or transported into or within the state of Mississippi without being accompanied by an affidavit from the regulating agency of the point of origin enumerating the number and total weight of red drum and stating that the red drum were legally landed; red drum raised on permitted aquaculture facilities must be accompanied by a Bill of Laden with the permit number and the name of the aquaculture facility indicated thereon. Species Recreational Daily bag Minimum length in inches Maximum length in inches Red drum>'' Spotted seatrout Cobia King Mackerel >''* 22 TL 1.s 5 under 14 TL 33 FL over 30 TL All fish must be landed with the heads and tails intact until delivered to the final destination. Possession -36-

41 *The sale, offering for sale, purchase, barter or trade of red drum caught by saltwater sports fishermen is prohibited. fishermen fishing in charter boats can possess no more than 2 king mackerel per person on board, or no more than 3 fish per angler, exclusive of captain and crew, whichever is greater, for a single days catch. m~recreational CATEGORY Commercial License Recreational License AGENCY TX REGULATIONS/EXPLANATIONS/FEES Resident General Commercial Fisherman - $15.00 Non-resident General Commercial Fisherman - $ Resident Commercial Finfish - $65.00 Non-resident Commerical Finfish - $ Commercial Boat License if Boat Used. Resident Sportfishing License - $8.00 Saltwater Sportfishing Stamp - $5.00 Non-resident Sportf ishing License - $15.00 Size and Possession Limits for Texas saltwater species are as follows (All sizes are total length measurements): Species Daily bag Possession Minimum length in inches Maximum length in inches Commercial Black drum Cobia Flounder Gaf ftopsail King mackerel Pompano Red snapper Sharks Sheepshead Spanish mackerel

42 Recreational Black drum Cobia 37 Flounder Gaf ftopsail catfish 14 King mackerel* Marlin, blue 114 Marlin, white 81 Pompano, Florida 9 Red drum Red snapper 13 Sailfish 76 Sharks 5 5 Sheepshead Snook Spanish mackerel Spotted sea trout Striped bass Tarpon *No person may possess more than two king mackerel except the possession limit for persons on a licensed charter vessel is two king mackerel per person per trip for all persons on board, or three king mackerel per angler per trip exclusive of captain and crew, whichever is greater. No person while actually fishing on the public waters of the state may have in his :innnediate possession any fish in excess of the daily bag limit. Black bass, crappie, flathead catfish, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, northern pike, red drum, sauger, snook, spotted seatrout, striped bass, tarpon, trout of the family Salmonidae, walleye, or white bass taken from Texas state waters may not be transported or possessed for the purpose of sale, offered for sale or purchased under any circumstances. Billf ish, except swordfish, may not be landed or possessed by the captain or crew of a conunercial fishing vessel. -38-