reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MS Code § 49-15-84.1 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-84.1. Closed season for use of crab traps; removal of abandoned traps

  The commission may establish a closed season for the use of crab traps in the public waters of this state. The commission may designate the closed season as not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days per year. Any crab trap remaining in the public waters after the expiration to the seventh day of a closed season may be considered as abandoned under the regulations established by the commission.   The commission shall adopt rules to govern the removal and disposal of abandoned crab traps as necessary to enhance:   The conservation and management of crab resources;   Boating safety;   The cleanliness of the beds and bottoms of the public waters of the state; and   Enforcement of this chapter.     Abandoned crab traps are litter and are subject to immediate removal and disposal.
MS Code § 49-15-86 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-86. Commercial and recreational crabbing licenses

  Each person catching or taking any saltwater crabs in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall obtain a license from the commission and shall pay an annual resident license fee of Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) or an annual nonresident license fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) on each boat used therefor.   The commission may require a recreational crabber's license for an administrative fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00).
MS Code § 49-15-87 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-87. "Peeler crab" and "soft-shell crab" defined

 "Peeler crab" means a blue crab having a new soft shell fully developed under the hard shell and having a definite white, pink or red line or rim on the outer edge of the back fin or flipper.   "Soft-shell crab" means a peeler crab which has recently shed its hard shell.
MS Code § 49-15-89 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-89. Unlawful to catch, destroy, confine, hold or have in possession certain crabs

 It shall be unlawful for any person to catch, destroy, confine, hold or have in his possession, whether for individual use or for market, any of the genus callinectes sapidus (blue crab) or allied species, of a smaller size than five (5) inches measured from the tip of one (1) lateral spine across the back of the shell to the tip of the opposite lateral spine; provided that peeler crabs and soft-shell crabs are exempt from these limitations. Conservation officers may inspect any catch for violations of any of the provisions of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91.
MS Code § 49-15-91 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-91. Regulatory authority for maximum number of crab pots allowable per licensee

 The commission may establish a maximum number of crab pots allowable per licensee.
MS Code § 49-15-92 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-92. Penalties for theft of crab traps or crabs

  Any person who steals, takes and carries away crab traps or the property of another used to catch saltwater crabs, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than ninety (90) days, or both, for the first offense; for the second offense, when the offense is committed within three (3) years of the first offense, shall be fined not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00); for the third and subsequent offenses when committed within three (3) years of the first offense, shall be fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months.   Any person, firm or corporation convicted and sentenced under this section for a second or subsequent offense shall not be considered for a reduction of the fine.   In addition to the penalties in subsection (1), any person who steals, removes, takes or carries away the crabs from another person's crab traps shall also pay restitution to the owner of the traps for the crabs taken.   This section shall not apply to any person who removes crab traps that are illegally placed or in an illegal location. This section shall not apply to any person who catches abandoned crab traps in a shrimp trawl, keeps the crab traps aboard the vessel and properly disposes of the crab traps.
MS Code § 49-15-93 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-93. Penalties

 Any person violating any provision of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by Section 49-15-63, Mississippi Code of 1972.
MS Code § 49-15-94 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-94. Use of purse seine to catch mullet during roe mullet season; penalties

 It is unlawful for any person to use a purse seine to catch mullet during the roe mullet season. A violation of this subsection is punishable by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100(2) for the unlawful use of gill or trammel nets.
MS Code § 49-15-95 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-95. Use of brill and cast nets

  It is unlawful to use brill and cast nets greater than twelve (12) feet in radius in the marine waters of the state.   The commission shall not prohibit the use of brill and cast nets in the waters designated in subsection (1) of this section. No person shall catch more than fifty (50) pounds of shrimp per day using brill and cast nets as provided by this section.
MS Code § 49-15-96 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-96. Keeping of certain fish caught in shrimp nets for personal consumption

 Vessels licensed under Section 49-15-64.5 may keep in whole, for personal consumption only the following types of fish which are caught in the shrimp nets or trawls of the vessel: white trout; croaker, black drum, and ground mullet (Family Sciaenidae); sheepshead (Family Sparidae); gafftopsail catfish (Family Ariidae); and flounder (Family Bothidae and Family Pleuronectidae). The cumulative total of fish shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pounds. In addition, a vessel may keep three (3) dozen blue crabs (portunidae family). This exemption for personal consumption does not apply to fish or crabs that are otherwise illegal to possess or catch.
MS Code § 49-15-97 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-97. Requirement that commercial fishing vessels use approved lights; penalties

  It shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman, firm or corporation to operate a vessel during the hours of sunset to sunrise when the season or time for such fishing is closed or in an area that is closed to fishing without using or displaying lights which comply with all federal regulations applicable to that vessel operated by the fisherman, firm or corporation.   For the purpose of this section, the term "commercial fisherman" shall mean a commercially licensed boat, commercially licensed fisherman or any person in possession of commercial fishing gear who would be subject to regulation under this chapter.   Any person, firm or corporation that violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the first offense; and not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the second offense when the second offense is committed within a period of three (3) years after the date on which the first offense was committed; and not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than thirty (30) days for a third or subsequent offense when that offense is committed within a period of three (3) years after the date on which the first offense was committed.  Any fine or sentence, or both, imposed upon a person for a second, third or subsequent offense under this section shall not be suspended or reduced.
MS Code § 49-15-100 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-100. Usage of gill or trammel nets in certain marine waters; penalties

  It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90.     For a first offense, a violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) and the department may initiate forfeiture proceedings for the net and catch. For subsequent violations, a person is subject to a fine of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall forfeit nets and catch. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.   The penalties for a violation of this section shall not be suspended or reduced.
MS Code § 49-15-100.1 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-100.1. Forfeiture of vessels, motors and equipment used in violation of Section 49-15-100

 It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be punished as provided for under Section 49-15-100 and in addition shall forfeit vessel, motor and equipment used in the violation. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.
MS Code § 49-15-100.3 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 49-15-100.3. Prima facie evidence of use of prohibited equipment

 The possession of a gill net, trammel net or like contrivance, or any other equipment prohibited for use in the taking or harvesting of seafood under this chapter on a vessel on the marine waters of this state where the use of the net, contrivance or equipment is prohibited, shall constitute prima facie evidence that an offense has been committed to take or harvest seafood with nets, contrivances or equipment prohibited by this chapter, unless the vessel is:   Anchored or moored at a permanent facility intended for the mooring of vessels;   Traveling directly between a marina, harbor or public boat launching facility and a United States Coast Guard marked and maintained navigation channel; or   Traveling within a United States Coast Guard marked and maintained navigation channel.
MS Code § 49-15-101 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 3 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact|§ 49-15-101. Form of compact

 The Governor of this state is hereby authorized and directed to execute a compact on behalf of the State of Mississippi with any one or more of the states of Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana, and with such other states as may enter into the compact, legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:
MS Code § 49-15-103 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 3 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact|§ 49-15-103. Membership of Gulf States Marine Commission

 In pursuance of Article III of said compact there shall be three (3) members (hereinafter called commissioners) of the Gulf States Marine Commission (hereinafter called commission) from the State of Mississippi. The first commissioner from the State of Mississippi shall be president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission of the State of Mississippi ex-officio; and the term of any such ex-officio commissioner shall terminate at the time the said commissioner ceases to hold said office of president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, and his successor as a member of this commission shall be his successor as president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission. The second commissioner from the State of Mississippi shall be a legislator; and the term of any such ex-officio commissioner shall terminate at the time he ceases to hold said legislative office, and his successor as commissioner shall be named in like manner. The Governor (by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) shall appoint a citizen as a third commissioner, who shall have a knowledge of the marine fisheries problems. The term of said commissioner shall be for a period of three (3) years and, in addition, he shall serve until his successor shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the office of such commissioner from any reason or cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor (by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) for the unexpired term. The president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, as ex-officio commissioner, may delegate from time to time, to any deputy or other member of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, the power to be present and participate, including voting as his representative, or substitute at any meeting of or hearing by or other proceeding of the commission.
MS Code § 49-15-105 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 3 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact|§ 49-15-105. Cooperation of state officers and agencies

 All officers of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed to do all things falling within their respective provinces and jurisdiction necessary or incidental to the carrying out of said compact in every particular, it being hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Mississippi to perform and carry out the said compact and to accomplish the purposes thereof. All officers, bureaus, departments, and persons of and in the state government or administration of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed, at convenient times and upon request of the said commission, to furnish the said commission with information and data possessed by them or any of them and to aid said commission by loan of personnel or other means lying within their legal rights respectively.
MS Code § 49-15-107 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 3 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact|§ 49-15-107. Powers of commission

 There is hereby granted to the commission and the commissioners thereof all the powers provided in the said compact and all the powers necessary or incidental to the carrying out of said compact in every particular. Said powers shall be regarded as in aid of and supplemental to and in no case a limitation upon any of the powers vested in said commission by other laws of the State of Mississippi, or by the terms of said compact.
MS Code § 49-15-109 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 3 - Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact|§ 49-15-109. Records and reports

 The commissioner shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall report to the Governor and the Legislature of the State of Mississippi on or before the tenth day of February in each year, setting forth in detail the transactions conducted by it during the twelve (12) months preceding January 1st of that year, and shall make recommendations for any legislative action deemed by it advisable, including amendments to the statutes of the State of Mississippi which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of the compact between the signatory states.   The auditor of the State of Mississippi is hereby authorized and empowered from time to time to examine the accounts and books of the commission, including its receipts, disbursements, and such other items referring to its financial standing as such auditor may deem proper, and to report the results of such examination to the Governor of the state.
MS Code § 49-15-203 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 4 - Procedures for Forfeiture of Property Seized in Marine Violations|§ 49-15-203. Answer; hearing in contested cases; order of forfeiture; rights of parties holding liens or security interests in property subject to forfeiture

  Except as otherwise provided in Section 49-15-207, an owner of property that has been seized pursuant to Section 49-15-21 or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall file an answer within thirty (30) days after the completion of service of process. If an answer is not filed, the court shall hear evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture and forfeit the property to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency. If an answer is filed, a time for hearing on forfeiture shall be set within thirty (30) days of filing the answer or at the succeeding term of court, if court would not be in progress within thirty (30) days after filing the answer. Provided, however, that upon request by the Department of Marine Resources, the local law enforcement agency or the owner of the property, the court may postpone said forfeiture hearing to a date past the time any criminal action is pending against said owner.   If the owner of the property has filed an answer denying that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the burden is on the petitioner to prove that the property is subject to forfeiture. However, if an answer has not been filed by the owner of the property, the petition for forfeiture may be introduced into evidence and is prima facie evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture. The standard of proof placed upon the petitioner in regard to property forfeited under the provisions of this article shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.   At the hearing any claimant of any right, title or interest in the property may prove his lien, encumbrance, security interest or other interest in the nature of a security interest to be bona fide and created without knowledge or consent that the property was to be used so as to cause the property to be subject to forfeiture.   If it is found that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the judge shall forfeit the property to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency. However, if proof at the hearing discloses that the interest of any bona fide lien holder, secured party, other person holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest is greater than or equal to the present value of the property, the court shall order the property released to him. If such interest is less than the present value of the property and if the proof shows that the property is subject to forfeiture, the court shall order the property forfeited to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency.
MS Code § 49-15-207 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 4 - Procedures for Forfeiture of Property Seized in Marine Violations|§ 49-15-207. Administrative forfeiture procedure for property with value not exceeding certain threshold

  When any property the value of which does not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), is seized pursuant to Section 49-15-21 or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, the property may be forfeited by the administrative forfeiture procedures provided for in this section.   The attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall provide notice of intention to forfeit the seized property administratively, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to all persons who are required to be notified pursuant to Section 49-15-201(2).   If the notice of intention to forfeit the seized property administratively cannot be given as provided in subsection (2) of this section because of refusal, failure to claim, insufficient address or any other reason, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall provide notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the seizure occurred for once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.   Notice pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall include the following information:   A description of the property;   The approximate value of the property;   The date and place of the seizure;   The connection between the property and the violation of the laws under the jurisdiction of the Department of Marine Resources;   The instructions for filing a request for judicial review; and   A statement that the property will be forfeited to the seizing law enforcement agency if a request for judicial review is not timely filed.     Persons claiming an interest in the seized property may initiate judicial review of the seizure and proposed forfeiture by filing a request for judicial review with the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the certified letter or within thirty (30) days after the first publication of notice, whichever is applicable.   If no request for judicial review is timely filed, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall prepare a written declaration of forfeiture of the subject property and the forfeited property shall be used, distributed or disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 49-15-205.   Upon receipt of a timely request for judicial review, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly file a petition for forfeiture and proceed as provided in Section 49-15-201.
MS Code § 49-15-303 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 49 - Conservation and Ecology|Chapter 15 - Seafood|Article 5 - Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources|§ 49-15-303. Powers and duties of commission

 The commission shall have the following powers and duties:   To formulate the policy of the department regarding marine resources within the jurisdiction of the department;   To enter into and authorize the executive director to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any public or private institution, federal or state agency or any subdivision thereof to carry out the duties of the commission;   To adopt, amend or repeal any rules and regulations necessary for the operation of the commission and the department necessary for the protection, conservation and propagation of seafood, and necessary for the management of commercial and recreational taking of seafood; and   To discharge other duties and powers as are necessary to implement state policy regarding marine resources.