In April 2023, the Mississippi Legislature passed legislation expanding private molluscan shellfish leasing in the state and designating certain public areas as state-owned reefs. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 2544, states that MDMR may designate no more than 20% of the area available for leasing as state-owned reefs. The legislation directs the agency to make the remaining 80% available for private leasing and sets forth requirements for the new private molluscan shellfish leases. To learn more about the legislation and recently proposed regulatory changes to implement the legislation, download our fact sheet.