Ala. Code § 9-12-180 (1975) Authorized; Form

• Library: Alabama Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions.

The Governor of this state is hereby authorized and directed to execute a compact on behalf of the State of Alabama with any one or more of the states of Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, and with such other states as may enter into the compact legally therein in the form substantially as follows:

GULF STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMPACT

The contracting states solemnly agree:

Article I

Whereas the Gulf Coast States have the proprietary interest in and jurisdiction over fisheries in the waters within their respective boundaries, it is the purpose of this compact to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the seaboard of the Gulf of Mexico, by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause.

Article II

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states ratifying it whenever any two or more of the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have ratified it and the Congress has given its consent subject to Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution of the United States. Any state contiguous to any of the aforementioned states or riparian upon waters which flow into waters under the jurisdiction of any of the aforementioned states and which are frequented by anadromous fish or marine species may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided.

Article III

Each state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Gulf states marine fisheries commission. One shall be the head of the administrative agency of such state charged with the conservation of the fishery resources to which this compact pertains or, if there be more than one officer or agency, the official of that state named by the governor thereof. The second shall be a member of the legislature of such state designated by such legislature or in the absence of such designation, such legislator shall be designated by the governor thereof; provided that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a commissioner from such state, the second member shall be appointed in such manner as may be established by law. The third shall be a citizen who shall have a knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries, to be appointed by the governor. This commission shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth herein.