Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

Commercial Season
Set by regulation/prohibited in permanently
closed areas and designated exclusive bait areas.
Recreational Season
Prohibited in areas closed to commercial
shrimping and permanently closed areas.
Shrimping is allowed throughout the year in
designated exclusive bait areas from 4:00 a.m.
until 10:00 p.m.
Commercial Gear Limitation
There are no restrictions on mesh size. In inside
waters (bay, sounds, etc.), a trawl or trawls used
together cannot exceed 50’ as measured along
the main top line. No more than two trawls may
be used at the same time (not including a try
trawl, which cannot exceed ten feet (10’) on the
main top line). No restrictions on trawl size
offshore (Gulf of Mexico) – other commercial
specifications apply. Trawl wings shall be cut
and tied to the wing line only on points, and it
shall be illegal to use a trawl or trawls on which
the length of the top leg line exceeds the length
of the bottom leg line (the length of the leg line
being defined as the distance from the rear of the
trawl door to the beginning of the wing).
Webbing or netting shall not be hung, tied, or
otherwise connected between the rear of the
trawl board or door and the adjacent wing line or
between the top leg line and bottom leg line of
any trawl so as to extend the width of any trawl
or trawls over the legal width (50’).
Recreational Gear Limitations
One trawl, size not to exceed sixteen feet (16’)
as measured along the main top line. There are
no restrictions on mesh size.
Commercial Legal Size
Shrimp smaller in size than 68 count (68 shrimp
or less per pound) are not to be taken in
Alabama waters.
Recreational Legal Size
No restrictions in areas open to commercial
shrimping and designated exclusive bait areas.
Commercial Pounds Allowed
No limit.
Recreational Pounds Allowed
In areas open to commercial shrimping, five (5)
gallons per person per day. In designated
exclusive bait areas, one (1) gallon per boat per
day.
LIVE BAIT
All licenses expire September 30 of each year.
License
Sell live shrimp for bait and operate one
boat and one truck - $101.00
Sell live shrimp for bait and operate two
boats and two trucks - $201.00
(Limit – two boats or trucks per dealer)
Non-resident
Non-residents transporting and/or selling live or
dead saltwater bait shall pay a license fee equal
to that charged to an Alabama resident to
conduct the same activity in the state of
residence of the applicant and in no event less
than double that of a citizen of the state of
Alabama.
Place of Business
Shore Facility
A permanently erected building from which
fishing bait and fishing supplies and tackle are
routinely sold to the public; or
Vessel Place of Business Excluding Shrimp
A vessel that sells live or dead saltwater bait
(excluding shrimp) to the public. Such vessel
shall meet the requirements for a boat facility,
shall provide a physical address where vessel
will be docked or stored, shall not possess or
attempt to possess or attempt to use a trawl, and
shall make vessel immediately available for
inspection. Such vessel shall have the words
“Live Bait – No Shrimp” in letters at least six
(6) inches high on both sides of the vessel; or
Vessel Place of Business Including Shrimp
A vessel that sells live or dead saltwater bait
(including shrimp) from a designated location to
the public. Marine Resources Division shall be
notified of the GPS position of the designated
location ten (10) working days prior to utilizing
or moving such location. The vessel shall meet
all the requirements of a shore facility and a boat
facility, shall provide a physical address where
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