Commercial Fishing Season to Open for Spotted Seatrout

BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) announce the opening of the commercial fishing season for Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) to begin February 1, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. in Mississippi territorial waters.

The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for commercial landings of Spotted Seatrout (SST) will be set at 50,000 pounds. The commercial TAC for the fishing season shall be divided into two periods as follows: 25,000 pounds Feb. 1 through May 31 and 25,000 pounds June 1 through Oct. 31.

In the event the commercial TAC is not met or exceeded in the first time period of Feb. 1 through May 31, the pounds shall be added or subtracted to the second time period of June 1 through Oct. 31.

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.