Menhaden fish; prohibit the taking and catching of within one mile of the southern shoreline of the Mississippi coastal barrier islands.

HB 628 prohibits commercial fishing for menhaden (a small fish used for bait and fish oil) within one mile of the southern shoreline of Mississippi's coastal barrier islands. This directly affects commercial fishing operations using purse seines or other gear in that zone, including companies operating near the islands. The bill amends Mississippi law to explicitly ban menhaden catch in this area, with violations punishable under existing fishing penalties. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, following legislative approval.