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Tennessee commission approves larger mesh for paddlefish nets after public objections
Summary
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Feb. 21 to adopt an amended commercial proclamation phasing in 7‑inch square mesh as the required gear for taking paddlefish in Tennessee waters (except the Mississippi River), after fisheries staff said larger mesh reduces bycatch of sublegal and non‑gravid fish.
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Feb. 21 to adopt an amended commercial proclamation that phases in 7‑inch square mesh as the required gear for taking paddlefish in Tennessee waters (except the Mississippi River), with a transition allowance for some 6‑inch nets for one year.
The change, presented to the full commission by fisheries staff, will take effect Aug. 1, 2025, allowing “up to 6 nets” to be 6‑inch square mesh while remaining nets must be 7‑inch or greater; effective Aug. 1, 2026, the proclamation says the only legal gear for taking paddlefish will be 7‑inch square mesh or greater in all waters except the Mississippi River. Agency staff told commissioners the measure aims to reduce mortality of sublegal paddlefish, male paddlefish taken as bycatch, and non‑gravid…
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