The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources may establish by rule oyster management stations to be used by persons or boats harvesting or landing oysters taken from the public reefs or public water bottoms of this state. The oyster management stations so established in conjunction with other locations designated by the Director of the Marine Resources Division and approved in writing by the commissioner shall be the only ports used by persons or boats landing such oysters in Alabama by water and it is unlawful to so use any other port for landing oysters. When oyster management stations are opened, all oyster catchers taking oysters from the public reefs shall be required to check out and check in at a management station. The rule establishing oyster management stations may also provide for the Marine Resources Division to require oyster harvest records. A commercial oyster catcher shall record all information required for the completion of the oyster harvest record and shall retain the original of the oyster harvest record in his or her possession while transporting oysters taken from the public reefs or water bottoms of this state. Oysters shall only be sold to seafood dealers certified by the state Department of Public Health and licensed by the division. The oyster harvest record shall be available for inspection upon request by any agent of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the state Department of Public Health. A violation of this section or any rule promulgated hereunder shall constitute a Class B misdemeanor, punishable as provided by Sections 13A-5-7 and 13A-5-12.
Last modified: May 3, 2021