Alabama Marine Resources Division

06/05/2026

Have a photo of a great catch? Submit for a chance to be featured in Marine Resources Division publications including our annual Marine Information Calendar. Send original full resolution photos to: [email protected]

Photos related to local commercial fishing, recreational fishing, outdoor coastal saltwater scenery, and coastal Alabama state parks/piers are also greatly appreciated!

05/15/2026

Reminder, starting next Friday Snapper season opens for 7 days a week. Click the link for more information and details explaining our dockside angler surveys and the importance of them to the fishery.



Photo: Taken by David Rainer, pictured several Red Snapper

Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

04/30/2026

Reminder Alabama State Waters Temporarily Close for Commercial and Recreational Sh*****ng May 1-June1. See details below:

Pursuant to Section 9-12-46, Code of Alabama as stated by Rule 220-3-.01, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that as of 6 a.m., Friday, May 1, 2026, all inside waters will close for commercial and recreational shrimp harvesting. All inside waters, not permanently closed by law or regulation, will reopen to shrimp harvest at 6 a.m., on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Inside waters are defined in rule 220-3-.04 as all waters north of a line extending from the Florida-Alabama line westward along the shore to Alabama Point; from there along the Baldwin County beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to the intersection with the Territorial Sea Line on Fort Morgan Peninsula, known as Mobile Point (30°-13.46’N, 088°-01.72’W); from there following the Territorial Sea Line across the mouth of Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island (30°-14.77’N, 088°-04.48’W); from there along the Dauphin Island beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to the intersection with the Territorial Sea Line on the west point of Dauphin Island (30°-13.72’N, 088°-19.81’W); from there following the Territorial Sea Line southwest to the intersection with the Alabama-Mississippi state line (30°-12.82’N, 088°-23.54’W).

Licensed live bait dealers are reminded that the taking of live bait north of a line beginning at the northern shore of East Fowl River running along the northern edge of the Fowl River Channel to marker number two in the Fowl River Channel then southeasterly to Middle Bay Light and then northeasterly to Great Point Clear is prohibited during this closure except by permit holders in the Special Permit Area in the Mobile Ship Channel. Recreational shrimp vessels possessing a Special Live Bait Permit may only take one gallon of shrimp per boat per day.

Special Live Bait Area Permits are only available at the Marine Resources office on Dauphin Island. For more information, call (251) 861-2882.

Photo description: shrimp boat at the dock.

04/28/2026

We enjoyed everyone that came out to the Delta Woods and Waters Expo this weekend who were able to see our touch tanks with local saltwater fish and invertebrates.

Photos by AMRD Staff Lauren J.,
Pictured:
1. touch tanks with saltwater fish and invertebrates.
2. blenny and spider crab
3. spider crab
4. purse crab
5. blue crab
6. ocellated flounder, sea hare

04/20/2026

Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 22, 2026.

New for 2026, the season will be open 7 days a week until the end of the year or when Alabama’s quota has been met. NOAA Fisheries has set the 2026 private angler quota for Alabama at 664,552 pounds.

“Under state management we have the ability to adapt our red snapper season to meet the needs of anglers that fish in Alabama,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “For 2026, we are modifying the season to 7 days a week which will give our private anglers and state licensed charter boats more flexibility when planning their fishing trips. We are excited to provide more opportunities to catch red snapper this year and anticipate another successful season.”

Photo of red snapper by David Rainer, ADCNR

Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

03/18/2026

Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Renovated Billy Goat Hole Boat Ramp This Friday

On Friday, March 20, 2026, representatives from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Town of Dauphin Island will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. to celebrate renovations to the Billy Goat Hole Public Boat Ramp. The media and public are encouraged to attend.

Date and Time
The ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026

During the Billy Goat Hole renovation project new boat ramps and docks were installed approximately 30 feet further from Bienville Boulevard to allow more room for vehicles to maneuver safely and efficiently, reducing impacts to local traffic. The new docks feature composite decking material and are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. Additional updates to the facility include an improved parking area, the addition of an ADA compliant lift, and a new wheelchair ramp that improves access to the restrooms and concession area.

For more information visit: https://www.outdooralabama.com/node/168213

Photo: Taken by AMRD Staff, photo shows the updated Billygoat Hole Ramp extension, docks, and new ramps.

03/03/2026

The Gulf Commercial Fisherman Program is accepting applications for their May 3-9, 2026, training program in Madeira Beach, Florida. The program was industry-developed with assistance from Florida Sea Grant and Texas Sea Grant and is geared towards those individuals new to commercial fishing and new deckhands to provide them with beneficial knowledge and skills to help secure a successful career in the Gulf of America’s commercial fishing industry. For more information about the program or to complete an application for the training program visit gulfcommercialfishing.org.

02/28/2026

Gray Triggerfish seasons reopens Sunday at 12:01am March 1, 2026 through 11:59pm May 31st 2026. Reef fish endorsement is required and reporting catch using Snapper Check is also required.

Limit is 1 per person over 15" in Alabama.

The DECEND Act requires anglers to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use when fishing for reef fish species.



Pictured: gray triggerfish.

02/27/2026

Come out to see us at the Mobile Boat show and visit the touch tanks and educational displays.

Location:

Mobile Convention Center

Show hours:

FRIDAY 2/27, 10am-7pm
SATURDAY 2/28, 10am-7pm
SUNDAY 3/1, 10am-5pm


Pictured: AMRD staff stationed at touch tank and educational displays.

02/23/2026

The Claude Peteet Mariculture Center had another successful southern flounder spawning event last month. In the video, you can see the 5 week old fish from that spawn. The fish will be released in local waters within the next 3 weeks. We are following up this spawn with another spawn to double the number of fish released compared to recent years.

In the video: biolgist with the Alabama Marine Resources show grow tanks for soon to be released young Southern flounder (no dialogue)