BILOXI, Miss. – The commercial fishing season for Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) will open at 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1, officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources said Friday.
The annual total allowable catch for commercial landings is 60,000 pounds. The allowable catch from May 1 through Aug. 31 is 20,000 pounds. If the 20,000-pound limit is reached before Aug. 31, the season will close immediately and reopen on Sept. 1.
If commercial fishermen don’t reach the 20,000-pound limit before Aug. 31, the remaining pounds will be added to the next fishing period for Red Drum, which begins Sept. 1.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.
Source: Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
