1. (1) During such period of time that the federal waters (During such period of time that the federal waters (adjoining Alabama waters) are open to the recreational harvest of a Gulf Reef Fish species, the recreational harvest of that Gulf Reef Fish species shall also be open in Alabama waters. Otherwise, when the federal waters are closed to the harvest of a Gulf Reef Fish species, Alabama waters will also be closed to the harvest of that species. However, Alabama state waters shall open and close to the recreational harvest of Red Snapper at the direction of the Commissioner through his designee, the Director of the Marine Resources Division. Notification of the opening and closing of state waters to recreational harvests shall be made through a press release.
2. (2) The possession of Red Snapper in Alabama state waters, during the time the waters are closed, is prohibited except for federally permitted for-hire vessels during the federal for-hire season.

3. (3) Gulf Reef Fish shall be defined as the fish listed in Table 1.

   Table 1. Gulf Reef Fish Species

   Balistidae—Triggerfishes	Wenchman, Pristipomoides aquilonaris
   Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus	Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
   Carangidae—Jacks	Malacanthidae—Tilefishes
   Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili	Goldface tilefish, Caulolatilus chrysops
   Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata	Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
   Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana	Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
   Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata	Serranidae—Groupers
   Labridae—Wrasses	Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
   Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus	Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
   Lutjanidae—Snappers	Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
   Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus	Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
   Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis	Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
   Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella	Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
   Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus	Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
   Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus	Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
   Gray (mangrove) snapper, Lutjanus griseus	Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis
   Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris	Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
   Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus	Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
   Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-4, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed March 21, 2000; effective March 21, 2000. Amended (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. Amended (PE): Filed July 1, 2008; effective July 1, 2008. Amended (PE): Filed March 23, 2010; effective March 23, 2010. Amended (PE): Filed June 27, 2014; effective June 27, 2014. Amended: Filed May 12, 2015, effective May 12, 2015. Amended (PE): Filed April 28, 2016; effective April 28, 2016. Amended (PE): Filed June 19, 2017; effective June 19, 2017. Amended (PE): Filed May 2, 2018; effective May 2, 2018. Amended (PE): Filed June 5, 2019; effective May 5, 2019.