BILOXI, Miss. – Effective July 1, 2008, the cost of a resident recreational saltwater fishing license in Mississippi will be $10 plus an 85-cent processing fee and $1 agent fee, for a total of $11.85. For about 3 cents a day, resident anglers can enjoy sportfishing in Mississippi’s marine waters for a whole year.

Mississippi residents ages 16 through 64 must hold a resident saltwater sportfishing license for all recreational methods of finfish harvest in state marine waters, which are waters south of Interstate 10. Residents who are deemed 100 percent service-connected disabled by the Veteran’s Administration or 100 percent disabled through Social Security Administration are not required to purchase a license. Anyone exempt from these license requirements must have a valid driver’s license and proof of service-connected or Social Security disability, if applicable, in his possession while fishing.

Saltwater sportfishing licenses expire one year after date of sale.

July 4 is a free saltwater fishing day, and anyone may fish without a recreational saltwater fishing license in state marine waters.

Nonresident fees vary. For more information, contact the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources at (228) 374-5000.

Mississippi resident saltwater sportfishing licenses remain lower than resident fees in neighboring states. Fees for recreational saltwater fishing by residents of those states are as follows: Alabama, $21; Louisiana, $16; and Florida, $17.

According to Section 49-15-313, Mississippi Code of 1972, the fees collected from the sale of state resident and nonresident saltwater sportfishing licenses are deposited into the Seafood Fund and are used solely for the management of marine resources.

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.