Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102
§782 Sponges of Less Than Prescribed Size; Possession Prima Facie Evidence
Title 16 › CHAPTER 11 — REGULATION OF LANDING, CURING, AND SALE OF SPONGES TAKEN FROM GULF OF MEXICO AND STRAITS OF FLORIDA › § 782
Summary
If a United States vessel is fishing for sponges in the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside state waters and has sponges less than five inches across, or is selling or carrying sponges under five inches from that vessel, that will be taken as proof that it broke the rules in this chapter.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §782
Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The presence of sponges of a diameter of less than five inches on any vessel or boat of the United States engaged in sponging in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, or the possession of any sponges of less than the said diameter sold or delivered by such vessels, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 782
Title 16, Conservation
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102