The Alabama Marine Resources Division announced that it will host three public meetings to provide information about potential upcoming regulation changes.
The meetings are designed to address the priorities and issues of specific user groups. However, each meeting is open to the public.
The potential changes to be addressed are a fee-based reef fish endorsement for recreational, charter/for-hire and commercial anglers who possess reef fish.
The MRD will also consider additional changes including possible adjustments to size, bag limits, or seasonal closures for flounder and adjustments to size and bag limits for spotted sea trout.
The first meeting will address seafood processors, commercial anglers who target flounder and commercial anglers who possess a federal reef fish permit.
The second meeting will be held to address private anglers who fish for flounder or spotted sea trout.
The third meeting will address individuals who possess a state commercial party boat license.
The first meeting addressing commercial anglers, federal reef fish permit holders and seafood processors will be on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5 Rivers Delta Classroom at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., in Spanish Fort, Alabama, 36527.
The second meeting addresses the concerns of private anglers on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 5 Rivers Theater at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., in Spanish Fort, Alabama, 36527.
The third meeting will hear the concerns of state-licensed commercial party boats. That meeting will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tillmans Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road in Mobile, Alabama, 36619.
If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed, please contact MRD Director Scott Bannon at 251-861-2882.
Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
Fishing, both commercial and recreational, are major industries the state of Alabama.
