MACMR endorses staff evaluation of charter skiff license; commissioners approve routine motions

The Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources voted March 18 to recommend that staff evaluate the possibility of establishing a charter skiff endorsement similar to programs in neighboring states.

Commissioner Roberts made the motion recommending staff evaluate a "charter skip license or endorsement" modeled on neighboring-state programs; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. Commissioner Roberts described the endorsement as a framework that would allow operators to run skiff-based charters similar to existing head-boat and charter operations in other states. "I was just gonna, basically make a motion that recommends the staff to evaluate the possibility of establishing a charter skip license or endorsement similar to what the neighboring states or Louisiana has in place existingly," he said.

Staff and commissioners said they will examine nuances in licensing frameworks between Mississippi and Louisiana and return with further recommendations. The director and staff cautioned the licensing framework differed across states and that additional evaluation and rule drafting would be required before any regulatory or fee structure is proposed.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Feb. 18 meeting minutes: motion and second recorded; adopted by voice vote. - Approval of the meeting agenda: motion and second recorded; adopted by voice vote. - Motion directing staff to evaluate a charter skiff endorsement (mover: Commissioner Roberts; second: not specified in transcript): adopted by voice vote. - Motion to close the meeting: motion, second, and voice vote recorded; adopted.

The meeting record does not include roll-call tallies for these voice votes; outcomes were announced by the chair as approved.