Section 9-12-122 Penalty for Commercial Shrimp Trawling in Waters Closed to Commercial Shrimping by Law or Regulation; Confiscation and Forfeiture of Trawls.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to take shrimp by commercial shrimp trawling in waters closed to commercial shrimping by law or regulation. “Commercial shrimp trawling” means the taking or catching or attempting to take or catch shrimp by any trawl or trawls used together which exceed 16 feet as measured along the cork line; as well as, the taking, catching or attempting to take or catch shrimp by any trawl 16 feet or less as measured along the cork line while licensed as a commercial shrimp fisherman under Section 9-12-92 or Section 9-12-93. (b) Persons, firms or corporations convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $600.00 nor more than $900.00 for the first offense, not less than $900.00 nor more than $1,200.00 for the second offense and not less than $1,200.00 nor more than $1,500.00 for the third and subsequent offenses committed during any two consecutive years. All trawls in use at the time of the violation may be confiscated and held as evidence and upon conviction said trawls may be forfeited to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources which shall dispose of same as it deems advisable.