by Hunter Dawkins
The first weekend of National Fishing and Boating Week in June of each year is designated as Free Fishing Weekend. On June 1 and 2, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources would like anglers to know that any person may saltwater sport fish without a license in the marine waters of Mississippi (waters south of Interstate 10) during Free Fishing Weekend.
In addition, July 4 of each year is designated as Free Saltwater Sport Fishing Day on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Any person may saltwater sport fish without a recreational saltwater fishing license on July 4 in the marine waters of Mississippi.
Although anglers are not required to have a recreational saltwater license for Free Fishing Weekend and Free Saltwater Sport Fishing Day, they still need to adhere to all size and possession limits.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is accepting proposals for projects that may receive funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Securities Act (GOMESA). The deadline for proposals to be submitted is 5 p.m. on June 13, 2019.
Proposals, which are restricted to projects within Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties, must meet one or more of the following criteria: projects and activities for the purposes of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses; mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife or natural resources; implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal or comprehensive conservation management plan; mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through the funding of onshore infrastructure projects; and planning assistance and the administrative costs of compliance.
Uproar has been voiced about the effects of the second opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, as one hearing was conducted Thursday evening at the D’Iberville Town Green by the commercial fishermen and the other will be held next Wednesday at IMMS Auditorium in Gulfport. This public hearing is at 6pm.
