Alabama Administrative Code
Title 220 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 220-3 - MARINE RESOURCES DIVISION
Section 220-3-.37 - Commercial Shark Regulation
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024
(1) Season on Sharks for Commercial Purposes: During such period of time that the federal waters adjacent to Alabama waters are open to the commercial harvest of a shark species as defined by federal law or regulation, the Alabama waters of Mobile Bay, Bon Secour Bay, Mississippi Sound, and the Gulf of Mexico south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and west of Little Lagoon Pass( 87° 44.4' W longitude) shall be open to the harvest of such sharks for commercial purposes from 12:01 AM each Monday through 11:59 PM each Friday (no weekends), except that commercial harvesting of sharks shall be prohibited from 12:01 AM through 11:59 PM on each of the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. When federal waters adjacent to Alabama waters are closed to the commercial harvest of a shark species, it shall be unlawful to take, harvest, or possess, or attempt to take, harvest, or possess, for commercial purposes, such sharks from the waters of the state of Alabama.
(2) Closed Season and Zero Possession Limit on Certain Species for Commercial Purposes: No person shall take, possess, or attempt to take or possess, from the waters of the state of Alabama, for commercial purposes, any of the following species:
(3) Bycatch Provision on Sharks for Commercial Purposes: Regardless of the open or closed status of federal and Alabama waters regarding the directed harvest of sharks, gill net fishermen targeting other fish shall be allowed to keep, for commercial purposes, an incidental bycatch of dressed weight of sharks (carcasses and fins) (except those species listed in (b) above) totaling no more than ten (10) percent by weight of other fish taken.
(4) Hook Requirement: Anglers fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing sharks must use non-offset non-stainless steel circle hooks when using natural bait.
Author: Christopher M. Blankenship
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-2-4, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.
PENALTY: As provided by law.