HB683 • 2026

Jackson County; include in prohibition on using a purse seine for the taking of fish within one mile of the shoreline.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE COUNTIES WHERE IT IS PROHIBITED FOR ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION USING OR ATTEMPTING TO USE A PURSE SEINE FOR THE TAKING OF FISH OR TO HAVE SUCH SEINE IN THE WATER WITHIN ONE MILE OF THE SHORELINE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Fondren
Last action: 2026-03-19
Official status: Law
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide specific details about penalties for violations beyond referring to Section 49-15-100(2) of the Mississippi Code of 1972.

Jackson County Fishing Law

This law adds Jackson County to the list of counties where it is illegal to use a purse seine net for fishing within one mile of the shoreline.

What This Bill Does

Adds Jackson County to the existing ban on using purse seine nets for fishing near the shore.

Who It Names or Affects

Fishermen and fishing companies operating near the shore in Jackson County.

Terms To Know

purse seine: A type of fishing net that is used to encircle fish, often close to the surface or along the shoreline.

Limits and Unknowns

The law only applies within one mile of the shoreline in Jackson County.
It does not specify what happens if someone violates this rule, but it refers to penalties listed elsewhere in the state's laws.

Bill History

2026-03-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/19 Approved by Governor
2026-03-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/12 (S) Enrolled Bill Signed
2026-03-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/12 (H) Enrolled Bill Signed
2026-03-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/11 (S) Returned For Enrolling
2026-03-10 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/10 (S) Passed
2026-03-02 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/02 (S) Title Suff Do Pass
2026-02-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/16 (S) Referred To Ports and Marine Resources
2026-02-05 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/05 (H) Transmitted To Senate
2026-02-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/04 (H) Passed
2026-01-28 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/28 (H) Title Suff Do Pass
2026-01-14 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/14 (H) Referred To Marine Resources

Official Summary Text

Jackson County; include in prohibition on using a purse seine for the taking of fish within one mile of the shoreline.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 683 *HR43/R1149* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1149
PAGE 1 (MCL\KP)

To: Marine Resources
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Fondren

HOUSE BILL NO. 683

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO INCLUDE JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE COUNTIES WHERE IT 2
IS PROHIBITED FOR ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION USING OR 3
ATTEMPTING TO USE A PURSE SEINE FOR THE TAKING OF FISH OR TO HAVE 4
SUCH SEINE IN THE WATER WITHIN ONE MILE OF THE SHORELINE; AND FOR 5
RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. Section 49-15-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 8
amended as follows: 9
49-15-79. (1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or 10
corporation to use or attempt to use a purse seine for the taking 11
of fish or to have such seine in the water within one (1) mile of 12
the shoreline of the County of Jackson, Hancock or Harrison in the 13
State of Mississippi. The Boards of Supervisors of Hancock, 14
Harrison and Jackson Counties shall have the authority to submit 15
proposed regulations to the commission to regulate within their 16
respective counties the use of and trammel nets. The commission 17
may consider all such proposals submitted by the boards of 18
supervisors in formulating regulations to be promulgated under 19
this section. 20
H. B. No. 683 *HR43/R1149* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1149
PAGE 2 (MCL\KP)
ST: Jackson County; include in prohibition on
using a purse seine for the taking of fish
within one mile of the shoreline.
(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation 21
of this section or regulations promulgated under this section 22
shall be punished by the penalties provided in Section 23
49-15-100(2), Mississippi Code of 1972. 24
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 25
and after July 1, 2026. 26