[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6232370,"mediaKeyId","3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0","parentId",3426414,"title","MDMR outlines task force and labeling changes under House Bill 602 and recent lease-related bills","audioSeconds",541,"startMs",502000,"endMs",1043000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0&start=502&end=1043","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0/thumbnail_502000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232370/Mississippi/MDMR-outlines-task-force-and-labeling-changes-under-House-Bill-602-and-recent-lease-related-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232370-7d8434bf6b1c7841e5664779c2d90218/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959620&Signature=nsZaK4JCPSpUbX9XRDLYcjT~EAY1HqEFuBsKEsd~9NU~~ydEy9l2VBriCAuNyN7vZNwCpFsfxTri3PvOZvjTqjkZSUqT8yTo1JNh0rIArFAz4VGFTniqx3iYKpsmlXDx8vHZlOrRiEFfnEXU8BzbvhBO5Xaz~J7md4TqBlS3jdkQS0X5dMAQ8N~L4t30mZBKmD4kk5nzUhReoohWJuC3p-bN8qFZqS4XxWPaHJVvzqYuozs5C7AlTvP9NV-AAuWJtV1mHjJIcaohDIyl6k0CG~UJaMIxgwv9LorYmhA~h4XT5PFZkRSWXVOpRfzHOl8zkvh0p4zQjgQwnYcNykgGXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T17:10:58.78Z","article","Agency leadership briefed the commission on recent legislation affecting oyster and aquaculture leases and an advertising-disclosure requirement in House Bill 602 that will require seafood sold or advertised in the state to be labeled as \"imported\" or \"domestic.\"

A staff member summarized three bills affecting aquaculture and lease rules: one bill (house bill 602) includes a task force provision that specifies agency designees and industry members; other bills referenced change on-bottom and off-bottom lease rules, including a provision that would allow leaseholders to retain up to 80 percent under certain new authority and another measure that removed county liability for off-bottom leases and limited counties' ability to file liens against property.

The nut graf: staff said the labeling requirement in HB 602 (line 91) compels restaurants, menus and billboards advertising seafood to indicate whether the seafood is \"imported\" or \"domestic,\" though the bill does not require listing the country of origin. Staff said the department will issue guidance and convene the statutorily-defined task force to implement the bill's provisions.

The director said the agency is assembling the task force mandated by HB 602 and that the bill names members (agency director or designee, the secretary of agriculture or designee, tourism and industry representatives, a restaurant association representative and gaming interests). Staff said they will publish guidance promptly if the task force is not formed within a week.

Less-critical details: staff reported the Hoenn Group is reviewing on-bottom lease applications and that the department is planning a public hearing for a 2019–2020 federal carryover assistance program with roughly $2.9 million available for oyster and shrimp commercial fishermen.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources May 2025 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners were briefed on legislative changes affecting oyster leases and a provision in House Bill 602 requiring imported/domestic labeling on seafood advertising; staff said they are forming a task force specified in HB 602.","taxTitle","Department of Marine Resources, Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Mississippi","taxId",59401,"location","Mississippi","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232375,"Commissioners hear concerns about increasing alligator sightings at Cat Island; staff to meet with wildlife officials",750,978000,1728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0&start=978&end=1728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0/thumbnail_978000.jpg","/articles/6232375/Mississippi/Commissioners-hear-concerns-about-increasing-alligator-sightings-at-Cat-Island-staff-to-meet-with-wildlife-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232375-b534924ade3f1cea57f275b1ac4a8d72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959620&Signature=XmVtQT7odzeayJGhCefTDF1nd74aB9IS-4VOi3-u9Q08qtPscbJus-DBHRWp9xwyGvCtHzT8jVGPh5~AhTqCxG9yxAnEX0zO3nWZlFsVktdqNVy~ghtQ8VG5sRm~Y~IFr~kWKp0TlTRU0hFFKOJLFYxj~-EXte-E4-Ai4DiwnFqvJV5s9YXR7SpaDj9CVmi1ARp~Db~mfdyzdJ08jZDgnwZss22QFUmKAkJsJczJFh6YiCeaEKxEqnwjMmlR7ZboQMCma20SQubmDZTWvnL4PXxsMDj67o-mj6UTWm3r0g-Z9Be64tQaZ4-SCpo65s6bcn~cXF~QAeGdMWfGIBC78Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A commissioner raised concerns about a growing number of American alligator sightings on Cat Island and reported at least one incident in which an alligator pursued an individual, prompting requests for a coordinated review with wildlife authorities.

The concern was described by a speaker identified as Ronnie, who said he spends a lot of time on Cat Island and that \"the population is getting larger out there\" and some animals \"really seem to not have a fear of humans anymore.\" Ronnie asked whether a study could estimate population size and whether actions could be taken for nuisance or aggressive animals.

The nut graf: commissioners agreed the issue involves wildlife jurisdiction and directed staff to convene a meeting with state wildlife officials to assess whether the animals constitute a nuisance, whether relocation or permitting is appropriate on state-managed lands, and whether public outreach is needed.

Chief Wilkerson (marine patrol/chief) noted much of the affected shoreline is federal property where state permitting is limited but said some parts of Cat Island are state-managed and could potentially be subject to state-permitted actions. \"If it's getting to be a nuisance because of it, maybe we relocate some. And if they have some that are aggressive, we can look at that,\" Chief Wilkerson said.

Commissioners asked staff (Rick, Patrick) to set up a meeting with wildlife officials and to inspect Cat Island conditions. Less-critical detail: speakers referenced social-media posts of large alligators on other islands and anecdotal encounters from charter captains and recreational users; staff emphasized the animals are wild and that feeding or reward-based interactions can alter animal behavior.","Commissioners heard testimony that alligator sightings at Cat Island are increasing and that some animals show reduced fear of humans; the commission asked staff to meet with wildlife authorities to assess the issue.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232380,"State agency highlights green infrastructure projects to reduce flooding at Moss Point schools and neighborhood park",0,3553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0&start=3553&end=3553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0/thumbnail_3553000.jpg","/articles/6232380/Mississippi/State-agency-highlights-green-infrastructure-projects-to-reduce-flooding-at-Moss-Point-schools-and-neighborhood-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232380-ec3134b7a3d7b729da2e15139ef15b4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959620&Signature=PBdiD~IHYdEPnjmYdYg698xpMlbLXnO-8NooyMz9Z0Oxs76OH30hY2L97miw43~oXsUvipv921et7ZzIl~QZL3ULjfzhwafehINxLgQT5iFOV8VEWw6qfBnd04YOPAhH14eCfki7y854ILrUJYhpQzeJ1u2UXDSPJBk-LK4T487ehMy5e7q~lISJrciJ9YAgpWEq0-ySLKcNxD7PRtdc~M1mBaQswqaNZl6FmFEg-jM8bW~A0eYnumLoG9ulPPOk~1tSMP0z2M-Pj-Uk27uh4mCA9taPWA7CaNBSzPN~-Q144oNvSiJXpWGzcrDgxVWMnQ8SflXbQ~zGjx4E7YH3mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mississippi Department of Marine Resources staff updated the commission on green-infrastructure stormwater projects in Moss Point designed to reduce street and school flooding and to improve water quality.

Charmaine, public affairs/NEAR program staff, described a completed phase of green-infrastructure work at Creole Elementary that includes multiple rain gardens and curb-island features, installed monitoring devices and plans for a phase 2 to reduce flooding that had previously prevented parents from picking up students.

The nut graf: the projects combine small-scale, vegetation-based stormwater features with traditional gray infrastructure to slow runoff, capture pollutants and reduce nutrient loads entering waterways. Staff said the approach aims to produce cumulative benefits when multiple small projects are implemented across the city.

Staff also presented concept plans for a Frederick Street Stormwater Park adjacent to church-owned land; the city is negotiating purchase of the property and the department is seeking implementation funding to buy and construct the park. Charmaine said the park would serve both as community green space and as a stormwater retention facility that could help reduce local street flooding.

Commissioners discussed partnerships: staff said the NEAR program is functioning as a coordination hub, convening city planners, county staff, Coastal Resources Management and federal partners quarterly to align projects and avoid duplicative work. \"These types of projects in Moss Point are a very good solution to urban flooding,\" Charmaine said, noting partners will monitor water capture and pollutant removal.

Less-critical details: staff said the projects also have recreational and quality-of-life benefits, including walking space and play areas, and that DEQ has expressed interest in nutrient-reduction monitoring.","MDMR's NEAR staff updated commissioners on green stormwater projects at Creole Elementary and a proposed Frederick Street Stormwater Park in Moss Point, and the agency described a partner hub to coordinate projects and avoid duplication.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232385,"MDMR reports sampling shows mixed shrimp sizes; department to open season when legal-size targets met",1236,2359000,3595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0&start=2359&end=3595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0/thumbnail_2359000.jpg","/articles/6232385/Mississippi/MDMR-reports-sampling-shows-mixed-shrimp-sizes-department-to-open-season-when-legal-size-targets-met","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232385-72843b3e2cf5e99ffd398676a4ff6147/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959620&Signature=FpkteXwt-4tS4WUjuVoyGLs29e5VwqiPPVl-F7eNThknT2GRWBYs9JkY4-DoEaHfeV8hq7cmjBcbjPgChqysn1n2Thu7bSDATyuwvf0NvcRDflfQS1CtEVqL4xZd~pHcdUGeYN02OambAsu~sDzNrM6PJxhsGi34B2Yx8gHciwm2HOryH0eGAESpQPfZ-b4eUWITosS2RdCtduPj2wdWe68ShsjOyeeS7CNvWeAQ~WgoWjOAAcfVobqstEtGNgeo3DQ-bcHGIExPf~QXqkWnBOOT1ZI0YmPBLhiAO4Vo8v3iPnPs6cI5WfDou7dE-WkfYDFRitb1RU35UfhiTQh75w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marine Fisheries staff presented the department's annual shrimp-season update, showing that sampling across 10 historical stations finds a seasonal influx of smaller brown shrimp in April–June and a year-round presence of white shrimp; the agency said it opens the season when the projected size reaches the statutory legal count.

Jason, Marine Fisheries staff, described the sampling program and the criteria used to set an opening date under state statute: the department uses a standardized 16-foot otter trawl at historical stations and projects when shrimp will reach 68 count, which staff said is the legal size in Mississippi.

The nut graf: staff said balancing year-round access to legal white shrimp against the seasonal arrival of sublegal brown shrimp is the primary management challenge; gear changes and falling effort complicate species-specific closures.

Staff reported that landings and the commercial value of shrimp in Mississippi have trended downward since about 2017 and that opening-day vessel counts have declined (staff cited 46 vessels on opening day last year). They said those lower numbers reflect reduced effort rather than necessarily lower abundance and that many fishermen now target larger white shrimp later in the summer when market prices are higher.

On sampling this year, staff said some stations already contained a few shrimp near legal size but that many sampled shrimp remain small. \"We do have a few shrimp, maybe 1 or 2 at these stations that are right at legal size, but we also see a lot of these really small shrimp,\" Jason said while showing photos of representative catches from six stations.

Commissioners asked about where juveniles develop and whether inshore bays are sampled; Jason said the department runs year-round sampling with lighter nets in bays and that juveniles appear north of the CSX where commercial harvest is not permitted. Staff also reported license sales for last year: 240 resident commercial and 106 nonresident commercial licenses.

Less critical details: staff said sampling began in mid-April and typically increases to twice-weekly sampling in May. Hydrological indicators in Biloxi Bay show above-average April water temperatures and lower precipitation; staff noted higher temperatures can speed growth but salinity was slightly below average.","Marine Fisheries staff presented sampling data showing a seasonal influx of sublegal brown shrimp and year-round presence of white shrimp; department said it opens the commercial season when projected sizes reach legal counts and noted decreased fishing effort on opening days.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232390,"Mississippi marine agency adopts permanent live-bait trawling boundary in Bayou Cassatt",405,1934000,2339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0&start=1934&end=2339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426414-750dbda71a7777312369c729e167c4f0/thumbnail_1934000.jpg","/articles/6232390/Mississippi/Mississippi-marine-agency-adopts-permanent-live-bait-trawling-boundary-in-Bayou-Cassatt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232390-4f6fa92b537e8c761826db56c530cdc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959620&Signature=ZwjnIItfE3jyaNgOo8arU2qa65zbDzverMRS9Lxt0T-HKTWpPT1tgKiIBvGVabuQt41f1NxElco~hhPKrWH8EICmV5P0Y1FiqUMlJcw1cCtCmhz~KXEyY6PLmg5IuIGhVXm7nodVDjzwkvx4BNpLgnHyxm0lcIchQ2Uukq0QMoRgY5~VCBuyLGC3~c02GqKWQ1zZOYUZjHLHthRCJqi-JkIXO1wbM63j3C9IRacZkLFFD8F7541GN~0j~pL5Ju7JT51Hs7cHD2n~TtTt61cI8FZNNIHqyQrOM~fzQ5qysySXagxEB5BeQbsizeLIc2qDvXH14VfnDsGg7-eEgNKdzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources on a unanimous vote adopted a permanent change to Title 22 Part 6 to allow live-bait trawling in the southern portion of Bayou Cassatt, establishing the northern regulatory limit at latitude 30.359224, located at the Channel B range rear light.

The change, presented by Jason, Marine Fisheries staff, moves the bayou out of the closure area for licensed live-bait harvesters. \"That limit is situated over Bayou Cassatt Channel B range rear light,\" Jason said, explaining the latitude-based line and noting it is shown on Coast Guard navigation charts and visible from the water.

The nut graf: the rule alters which portion of Bayou Cassatt is open to commercial live-bait trawling and is intended to codify historic fishing practice in the dredged, industrial portion of the channel while preserving the protected, undredged natural channel north of the line.

In the presentation staff showed an overview map and said the chosen latitude corresponds to an existing navigation aid, which regulators expect will make on-the-water compliance easier. Jason told commissioners the line was selected after consulting captains who regularly trawled in the area and that it roughly follows the northern edge of historically dredged and channelized water.

Commissioners discussed how the line will be identified in practice. Jason said the regulation includes the latitude so enforcement and users can locate the boundary even if local features shift: the latitude is meant to function as an east–west demarcation \"in case the light's not there,\" he said. Staff also said the department will distribute the new regulation to all live-bait license holders and include it in the materials provided during annual inspections.

The motion to adopt the recommended change to Title 22 carried after a call for a vote. Commissioners noted the change applies only to holders of live-bait commercial licenses; recreational or personal cast-netting for personal use remains allowed north or south of the line, subject to existing laws.

Less-critical details: staff said the change will be implemented within about 60 days and that the regulation text names the latitude and the Channel B range rear light as the northern limit. The department plans to notify the entire fleet, not only the small group that has historically used that area.","The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources adopted a permanent change to Title 22, Part 6, adding a latitude-based northern limit for commercial live-bait trawling in Bayou Cassatt south of the Channel B range rear light.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MDMR outlines task force and labeling changes under House Bill 602 and recent lease-related bills

Commissioners hear concerns about increasing alligator sightings at Cat Island; staff to meet with wildlife officials

State agency highlights green infrastructure projects to reduce flooding at Moss Point schools and neighborhood park

MDMR reports sampling shows mixed shrimp sizes; department to open season when legal-size targets met

Mississippi marine agency adopts permanent live-bait trawling boundary in Bayou Cassatt