October 21, 2016
To: Mississippi Governor The Honorable Phil Bryant Jackson, MS email: info@governor.ms.gov
Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources 1141 Bayview Avenue Biloxi MS 39530
Department of Marine Resources 1141 Bayview Avenue Biloxi MS 39530
Subject: Demand Revocation of Trout closure and Public Hearing
Reference: Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.104. (2) (a) An agency, in its discretion, may schedule an oral proceeding on any proposed rule. However, an agency shall schedule an oral proceeding on a proposed rule if, within twenty (20) days after the proper filing of the notice of proposed rule adoption, a written request for an oral proceeding is submitted by a political subdivision, an agency or ten (10) persons. At that proceeding, persons may present oral or written argument, data and views on the proposed rule.
Summary: We, the undersigned residents of the State of Mississippi and licensed recreational anglers, do demand that a public hearing (oral proceeding) be held on the recent action (proposed rules) by the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources closing the recreational fishery for speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus) during the months of January, February, and March 2017, and that such hearing be coordinated with the required hearing on changes to the Fishery Management Plan adopted on October 18, 2016 raising the minimum size to fifteen (15) inches and removing the charter captain/crew bag limit when on a chartered trip.
Recommendation: In order to prevent such closure recommend that size and bag limit reductions take affect with at least a 14in size limit and a bag reduction to 6 or 8 fish. In addition that research and scientific data be account actual recreational landing numbers and to also look at the following the affect the following has had on the population: BP Oil Spill, Loss of Habitat, Water Quality, Loss of Bait such as Pogey, and bycatch from Shrimp and Pogey industry.
Very Respectfully, Fishing Men and Women of Mississippi who have signed this Petition online and will continue to address this issue with local and state government. Thank you for your time and all that you do for the State of Mississippi.
Note: Please find over 300 signatures requesting Public Hearing on this issue