SECTION 800:15-5-3. General; operating provisions

(a)   Harvest methods. Equipment allowed for the contract commercial harvest of gizzard shad shall be a hand-held dip net with a diameter no greater than 24 inches and a mesh size no less than 1 inch. Mesh may be constructed of a fibrous, synthetic, or metal material. Dip net may be operated from the shore or a stationary floating device. It cannot be used in a motor powered boat while the motor is running.

(b)   Season and time of day. The season shall be open throughout the year from January 1 through December 31, however no gizzard shad shall be harvested for commercial purposes except during daylight hours from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. No gizzard shad shall be harvested at any time on Saturdays or Sundays or the following state holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4) or Labor Day.

(c)   Reporting. Each commercial gizzard shad contract licensee must keep accurate records of all gizzard shad numbers harvested, total weight harvested, numbers sold, weight sold, disposition of gizzard shad sold, and monetary value of all gizzard shad or parts thereof sold. These records shall be made available for inspection at any time by an agent of the Department. In addition, reporting procedures are as follows:

(1)   Monthly reports. All contract licensees shall send to the Department by the 15th of each month a true and accurate report of all gizzard shad harvested and gizzard shad or parts thereof sold during the previous month.

(2)   Fee. All contract licensees will submit to the Department by the 15th of each month 2 percent of the total sale value of all gizzard shad or parts thereof sold during the previous month.

(3)   Annual reports. All contract licensees shall send to the Department by January 15th, a true and accurate summary of all gizzard shad harvested and gizzard shad or parts thereof sold during the previous year.

(d)   Game fish. No commercial fishing licensee may possess, have in their possession at their places of business or transport any species of game fish.