GULFPORT, Miss. — If you have ever headed to the Gulf to Mexico to catch spotted trout for fun or for some extra cash, you will not be able to for long.The Commission of Marine Resources passed a rule back in 2012 that would make it illegal to catch those fish without an endorsement on from the Department of Marine Resources. The new rule goes into effect May 1. It requires fishermen with a Commercial hook and Line license to prove that they have sold at least $5,000 dollars’ worth of sea food within a 12 month person.
The reason for the rule, too many of the sea trout were being caught during April and March. This resulted in undersized trout catches for the rest of the year, making it hard for restaurants to keep sea trout on the menu by the time summer rolled around.