The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1892-09-23
LAW RELATING TO OYSTERS, ETC.

'"iA i"'i' many vi ONSIe
and fish boats from LOuisian,
shores have met with legal rcstric
tons flom the authorities aroun,
Biloxi and other points vii hin III,
Mississippi reservations, and thi
interference is the cause of :
general protest from the said own
ers Of Louisiana boats, and an ap
peal 10 Gov. Foster will lie mad
asking by what right this prohibi
ton is enacted. They claim tina
they were never molested befor
this season, when they are bein.
met by armed men claiming I,
represent the laws of this State
and further claim that one of tn
prohibited fields, Two Points, /
not within the jurisdiction of sale
officers, and as peaceful. law abid
ing citizens of the United Stat,
they have a right TO the use O
waters out six to twelve mile,
from shore. Below we give a copy
of Chapter 96, Annotated Code o
Mississippi, which relates to oy
sters, crabs, fish and shrimp, tina
may throw some light on the dis
pute now going on:
The Boards Of Supervisors of the coun
ties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson
have full jurisdiction and authority foI
the protection and preservation of oys
sters, crabs, saltwater fish, and shrim,
IN their respective counties, and the,
may make all the proper regulations 70
that purpose, to the same extent, and
with like effect in every particular. an,
to DO enforced aud subject to the Xix,
penalties and forteitures us the rcsula
tions of the boards of supervisors gener
ally for the protection of game and fish.
The boards Of supervisors of said coun.
ties shall have full authority to make all
ncedful regulations, not contrary to law
for the protection of public oyster reef,
in theirirespective counties, and to con
serve the same Tor the use of the inhabi-
tants OF the State.
1t is unlawful t. haul any shrimp-ne
on the beach above low tide; and tn
said boards of supervisors may prescrlb,
the size of the meshcs of shrimp nets, but
may not otherwise regulate the taking Of
shrimp, All nets of meshes smaller than
those prescribed shall be forfeited.
The regulations of any county relating
to the preservation and protection O.
oysters, fish, crabs, and shrimp in tn,
Mississippi sound and adjacent waters
shall not give any preference to citizens
of that ov er those of any other county.
All natural oyster reefs belong to the
public, and cannot be appropriated ex.
clusively by any person.
1t is unlawful to take oysters from the
public oyster-reefs during the months OF
May, June, July and August, except fol-
the domestic use of the inhabitants and
for planting purposes, as regulated by
the boards of supery isors.
In taking oysters from the natural reefs
they shall be there culled of all young
and unmarketablc oysters, unless taken
for planting.
Any persen, corporation or association
of persons shall not take from the public
oyster reefs moro than two thousand bar.
rels, unless authorized by tho board of
supervisors, and in no case to exceed ten
thousand barrels in any one season.
Oysters, whether in the natural reefs or
in plantations. are personal property, and
the subject of larceny I; and any person
taking oysters from the public reefs or
beds contrary to law or the regulations of
the board of supervisors shall be guilty of
larceny, in addition to suffering tho other
penalties prescribed.
The taking ofoysters in any other than
licensed boats, except the boat be of less
than one ton burden, and the only one
belonging to the party, is prohibited /;
and the boards of supervisors of said
counties, shall license oyster boats and
prescribe all proper regulations of same ;
bnt the fee fOl license shall not exceed
one dollar a ton burden, and the license
shall DO for one season only, and shall be
taken out in the county of the residence
of the owner of the boat, or IN tho couu-
ty where the boat is employed. ard shall
be good in each of said counties. Every
licensed boat shall have conspicuous
ly painted on il the word Licensed,
and the number OF the license.
Tho boards OF supervisors of said coun-
ties may jointly or cash may severally,
appoint an oyster inspector to supervise
the oyster and other interests in the
sound and adjacent waters, and may pre-
scribe his duties aud fix his compensa-
ton.
The oyster. inspector shall have the
authority and power of o police officer,
and he may arrest, with or without war.
rant, all persons violating tho laws aud
regulations; and he may seize and hold
for condemnation or forfeiture, all oys.
ters, crabs. fish, and shrimp taken un.
lawfully or contrary to the regulations,
and all boats, tackle, nets, aud appli.
ances used in such taking.
The said boards of supervisors may, in
like manner, purchase and equip one OF
more boats, to be used by the inspector
as the board or boards shall direct. as 20.
lice boats. and may regulate the use
thereof in the protection OF oysters, crabs,
fish, and shrimp, and the enforcement Of
A., l,,.,. a,I ,c,1:,