The commercial fishing season for Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) opened at 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1, according to officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
The annual total allowable catch for commercial landings is 60,000 pounds. The allowable catch from May 1 through Aug. 31 is 20,000 pounds. If the 20,000-pound limit is reached before Aug. 31, the season will close immediately and reopen on Sept. 1.
If commercial fishermen don’t reach the 20,000-pound limit before Aug. 31, the remaining pounds will be added to the next fishing period for Red Drum, which begins Sept. 1.