SB 2534 — Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; require additional regulation of freshwater fishing guides.

2534 (As Sent to Governor) AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-4-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDE OR SERVICE THAT UTILIZESUSES A BOAT TO OBTAIN A FISHING GUIDE BOAT LICENSE AND DECAL;

TO PROVIDE THAT FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDES SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM FISHING WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE;

TO PROVIDE THAT FRESHWATER FISHING GUIDES SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM KEEPING ANY FISH CAUGHT BY THE PERSONS THEY ARE GUIDING;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE GUIDE DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD THE BAG LIMIT FOR FISH;

(a) "Head"Boat" boat" means a fishingvessel boatused thatby takesa recreationalguide (sports)or fishermenoutfitter out for ataking feepaying percustomers person.on recreational freshwater fishing excursions.

(b) "Charter"Guide" boat" means a fishingperson boatwho withadvises a skipper, guide, outfitter or captainshows thatthe isway rentedto forothers on a feeboat. for the purpose of fishing.

(c) "Guide""Outfitter" means aan personestablishment whothat advisessells orfreshwater showsfishing theservices. way to others for a fee.

(d) "Captain" or "skipper" means a person who is at the helm, controls or steering of a boat.

(e) "Boat mate" and "crew" mean one or more employees assisting the guide, outfitter, captain or skipper on a boat.

2534 *SS26/R881**SS36/R881SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G3/5 23/SS26/R88123/SS36/R881SG PAGE 1 (icj\kr)(2) (d)The "Outfitter"commission meansmay anregulate establishmenthunting, thatfishing sellsand serviceswildlife forviewing, outdoorguide activities.and outfitter services.

(e) "Skipper" means the captain of a ship or boat.

(f) "Captain" means a person who is at the helm, controls or steering of a ship or boat.

(2) The commission may regulate hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, guide and outfitter services.

the fee for guide and outfitter services annual licenses * * * toshall not be less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for residents and shall not be less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for nonresidents;

S.(3) A fishing guide, outfitter, skipper or captain that uses a boat to provide fishing guide services shall obtain an annual boat license and decal for a fee of at least Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

In order to obtain a boat license and decal, an applicant must register the boat being used with the department and provide to the department a copy of the driver's license of S.

2534 *SS26/R881**SS36/R881SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS26/R88123/SS36/R881SG PAGE 2(icj\kr)2 (3)the A fishing guide, outfitter, skipper or captain thatand utilizesproof aof boatliability toinsurance provide fishing guide services shall obtain an annual fishing guide boat license and decalsuch forother ainformation feeas ofthe Twodepartment Hundredmay Fiftyrequire Dollarsby ($250.00).regulation.

In(4) orderA toviolation obtainof athis fishingsection guideor boatany licenseregulation andcreated decal,by an applicant must register the boatcommission beingexercising utilizedits withpowers theto departmentregulate safety and provideservices tois the department a copyClass ofII theviolation driver's license of the guide, outfitter, skipper or captain and proofis ofpunishable liability insurance and such other information as theprovided departmentin maySection require49-7-143. by regulation.

(4) A fishing guide, outfitter, skipper, captain, boat mate or crew is prohibited from keeping a recreational bag limit of fish.

(5) The presence of a guide, outfitter, skipper, captain, boat mate or crew does not count toward the boat's daily possession limit for all game fish.

(6) A violation of this section or any regulation created by the commission exercising its powers to regulate safety and services is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 9-7-143.

2534 *SS26/R881**SS36/R881SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS26/R88123/SS36/R881SG ST:

Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and PAGE 3(icj\kr)3 Parks;