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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 females that may spawn in later years.
Why it matters: Agency fisheries staff said 7‑inch mesh reduces the chance that smaller or non‑gravid female paddlefish become entangled and die, which they said speeds recovery of fisheries such as Kentucky Lake and Chickamauga Lake. Commercial fishermen and industry representatives said they need more data, and that the cost to replace nets and adapt gear could be large.
Public comment and commercial concerns: Ron Schenck, president of Kelly’s Catch Caviar, urged the commission to delay the change and run a multiyear study, saying his business and small commercial fishermen could be hurt if the larger mesh reduces allowable harvest. He asked, “What data proves that the 6 inch net is harming paddlefish?” and urged a pilot or multiyear study before adoption.
Commercial fisherman Larry Overstreet said the change will be expensive and judged from his experience would “cut ourselves in half” in catch without additional gear, estimating roughly $20,000 in materials to replace nets to cover multiple depths and waters.
Agency justification and commission discussion: Fisheries staff and the commission said the proposal grew from work by the fisheries division and the commercial fishing coordinator, who tested 7‑inch nets alongside 6‑inch and shared early results with commercial gear users. Staff said the 7‑inch webbing “doesn’t bind those fish down near as bad” and reduces bycatch of sublegal paddlefish and non‑gravid females, and noted that the fishery currently targets gravid (egg‑bearing) females.
Commissioner Hank Wright urged colleagues to note the agency had offered financial help to fishermen to offset gear replacement costs and said the commission had received letters and public comments both for and against the proposal. After additional discussion, commissioners voted to approve the amended proclamation.
What passed: The commission approved the amended commercial proclamation as presented, including the Mississippi River exception and the phased effective dates (Aug. 1, 2025 allowance for some 6‑inch nets; Aug. 1, 2026 requirement of only 7‑inch mesh for paddlefish except on the Mississippi River). The motion carried by voice vote; the transcript records “Ayes have it.”
Next steps: The agency will implement the new proclamation per the effective dates and monitor fishery and compliance outcomes, per staff remarks during the meeting.
