Alabama § 9-12-231 - Nets and Similar Devices Permitted in Salt and Brackish Waters.

§ 9-12-231. Nets and Similar Devices Permitted in Salt and Brackish Waters.

(a) The following nets or similar devices may be used in Alabama salt and brackish waters:

(1) A landing net, which is a net commonly used to land fish while hook-and-line fishing.

(2) A dip or crab net, which may not exceed three feet in diameter.

(3) A minnow seine, which may not exceed 25 feet in length or 4 feet in depth.

(4) A hand thrown cast net, which may not exceed 30 feet in diameter.

(5) A shrimp trawl net.

(6) A net used for scientific or educational purposes; provided that any person using a net for scientific or educational purposes shall have in his or her possession a valid permit issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which shall enact rules governing the use of nets for scientific or educational purposes.

(7) A purse seine for the taking of menhaden by persons licensed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in water designated by the department.

(8) A commercial or recreational gill net.

(9) Trammel nets.

(10) Haul nets.

(b) In addition to the nets authorized in subsection (a), any person who, on June 1, 2008, has been issued a recreational gill net license for the 2007-2008 license year may continue to annually purchase a new recreational gill net license for use in near-shore and inshore salt and brackish Alabama waters for the remainder of the person’s life. Any person authorized to purchase a recreational gill net license pursuant to the above provision who fails to purchase a license for any year shall not be eligible to purchase a recreational gill net license thereafter. No other recreational gill net licenses shall be issued after June 1, 2008. A recreational gill net may not be over 300 feet long and shall be set by wading. Each recreational gill net in use shall have an identifying tag attached issued by the department. Any recreational gill net license issued pursuant to this subsection shall otherwise continue to be subject to regulation by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as provided by law.