Page 116 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2017

OUTDOOR LIVING bigger is better
116 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
for the latest information with a quick link on their main page simply called, ‘speckled trout
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species of fish along the Mississippi Coast, Speckled Trout, and there are some changes you
Decisions such as this one and many more are voted on at the Commission on Marine Resources meetings, which are open to the public. These meetings take place at 9 a.m. on the third Tuesday of the month unless otherwise posted. More information on these meetings can be found on the DMR website under ‘Commission Meetings.’
need to know about before hitting the water. Did you know the legal minimum size for Speckled Trout has changed in Mississippi? Why did that
happen and what is the new legal size? All the latest information on the rules and regulations for Speckled Trout can be found on the website of
The new minimum size for Speckled Trout has changed from 13 to 15 inches. Finfish Bureau Director Matt Hill said, “Our recommendation, and what the commission voted on, was the best scenario for management criteria to be put in place to help raise the SPR of Spotted Sea Trout to meet the goal of 20 percent within three to five years.”
the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, www.dmr.ms.gov/. The DMR is your go-to spot
information.’
The spawn potential ratio (SPR), a measurement
used by scientists to determine the health of certain species of fish, was important in the determination
The bag limit will remain at 15 fish per day per angler. This change in minimum size could be a little challenging at first, but if this is what it takes to improve our fishery, I intend to do my part and follow the regulations. Look at this way, not only will a 15-inch trout have spawned more than a 13-inch trout, but if you only end up catching five ‘keepers,’ you will have plenty of table fair. Also keep in mind that not following these rules will result in hefty fines.
to change the minimum size for Speckled Trout. Right now the SPR for Speckled Trout is around 10 percent, and the DMR has implemented changes
to help raise the SPR to meet their goal of 20 percent. After one of the most thorough peer vetted documents to come from the DMR agency (Spotted
Sea Trout stock assessment), several commission meetings, and public input, the new minimum size limit has been changed. “A critical part of the process
As an avid angler and lifelong Coast resident, I believe these changes are for the best. In my eyes we have one of the most unique fisheries,
is public input. You can’t really make an informed management decision without knowing
Kyle Johnson
New legal minimum size for speckled trout implemented
We are coming up on the absolute best time of year (Spring) to fish for the most popular
what the public’s opinion is, or what they would like to see happen.” says Joe Jewell, the director of marine fisheries for the DMR.
and protecting