Section 9-11-53.1

Resident license - Saltwater fishing.

(a) Any person who has been a bona fide resident of this state for a period of not less than 90 days next preceding and who is age 16 or older, but has not yet reached the age of 65, shall not take, catch, kill, or attempt to take, catch, or kill any fish in any of the waters of this state (except those waters for which a license is required by Section 9-11-53) below that line defined in Rule 220-2-.42(1) of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as published in the Alabama Administrative Code, by angling with rod and reel or by use of any artificial bait, fly, or lure, without first procuring an annual saltwater fishing license. The saltwater fishing license shall not be required of persons fishing with ordinary hook and line, nor shall it be required of any person who has been issued and is the holder of any valid lifetime fishing license that is provided for in Section 9-11-65, provided that such license was issued on or before March 31, 1992. The cost of the annual saltwater fishing license shall be fifteen dollars ($15), plus a one dollar ($1) issuance fee which shall be in addition to the cost of the license. This saltwater fishing license shall not be required of permanent Alabama residents under age 16 or age 65 or over, provided, however, that residents age 65 or older shall be required to have in their actual possession, while fishing, a driver's license, or in the case of nondrivers, proof of permanent Alabama residence and age. The revenue derived from the sale of the license provided for in this section shall be remitted to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on the first day of each month by the issuing officer and shall be covered into the State Treasury to the credit of the Marine Resources Fund and shall be used in the research, management, and development of saltwater fisheries.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any resident 64 years of age who procures a resident saltwater fishing license pursuant to this section shall be issued the license on a lifetime basis. The license fees from the sale of a lifetime license pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited to the credit of the Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund within the Marine Resources Fund.

(c) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each offense.

(Acts 1992, No. 92-344, p. 736, §1; Act 2000-735, p. 1604, §1.)