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October 2021 - E-Edition
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Alabama Ledger
Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) will open certain areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 4, 2021, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, weekend harvest will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the following four Saturdays: October 9, 16, 23 and 30. Harvesters can view their locations and the open harvest areas with Alabama’s Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map. A link to the map is available at outdooralabama.com/oysterharvest. Harvesters are reminded to visit the OMS located across from Jemison’s Bait and Tackle at 16871 Dauphin Island Parkway to drop off their OMS ID cards and confirm which grids are open for harvest. Heron Bay, Cedar Point East, and Cedar Point West grids will open on October 4. Grids will close based on evaluations of the harvest by MRD staff. “In 2020, catchers were able to harvest just over 22,000 sacks of oysters and we were open for 47 days,” said Scott Bannon. “Based on our survey data for 2021, we feel that we should have a similar harvest this year. There were days where more than 100 boats were out working and that is good for the community. It provides jobs for catchers and processors as well as providing a great product for consumers. We are continuing with limited Saturdays this year to allow for young people, who would normally be in school during regular harvest times, to have the opportunity to harvest oysters.” New for 2021: Recreational oyster catchers must report their catch and purchase a recreational harvest tag at the OMS station. Recreational harvesters may take up to 100 legal-size (minimum 3 inches) oysters in the same areas and during the same times as commercial harvest. No license is required but commercial and recreational oysters may not be transported together on a vessel. All commercial oyster catchers, regardless of age, must have a commercial oyster catcher’s license in order to participate in the harvest. For information about licensing and regulations, please contact MRD at (251) 861-2882 or visit the MRD office located at 2 North Iberville Drive, on Dauphin Island. Date/Time of Opening: Monday through Friday, beginning October 4, 2021, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and selected Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oyster Harvest Limits: Commercial oyster catchers may harvest six (6) sacks per person/vessel, per day regardless of how many licensed harvesters are aboard. Recreational oyster catchers may harvest 100 legal size oysters per person, per day. Recreational harvest may only occur in areas and at times that are open for commercial harvest. Harvest Method is Tong and Hand Only. Oyster Harvest Opens In October
Photo Courtesy of Gadsden State
AMLA Awards Scholarships to 14 North Alabama Tourism Professionals
Each year, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) offers a scholarship program to the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College®. Available to tourism industry professionals working in the sixteen counties of North Alabama, the scholarship covers tuition while attending the week-long college. Fourteen recipients, selected by a special committee comprised of experienced tourism industry professionals, were named during AMLA’s the annual meeting in Florence, AL on September 23, 2021. Marketing College (https://www.southeasttourism. org/marketing-college) is a continuing education program that is offered annually as a one-week intensive session. During this weeklong program, students participate in courses designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry. Marketing College® professors are working and well-seasoned professionals from across the U.S. who bring expertise and real-world knowledge to the classroom. Courses were held at the Macon Marriott City Center in Macon, Georgia in 2021. The location for 2022 will be announced at a later date. Students attend lectures and discussion groups and have one-of-a-kind networking opportunities throughout the week. Courses are designed for both new and seasoned industry professionals and consist of an array of industry-specific topics that include market research, product development, economic impact, advocacy and branding. Upon completion of the three-year Marketing College® curriculum, students receive a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification, presented at a special graduation ceremony at STS Connections. Founded in 1983, the STS is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. For more info visit www.southeasttourism.org. AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consist of chambers of commerce, Convention &Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. 2022 scholarship recipients • Tabitha Nowak, Hartselle Chamber of Commerce • Hilda Smith, Hampton Inn (Winfield) • Ann McDermitt, Franklin County Arts & Humanities • Katrina Hubbard, Tigers for Tomorrow • John Moseley, Alabama Music Hall of Fame • Blake Williams, Blake Williams Communications • Danielle Gibson, Decatur Morgan County Tourism • Amber Huston, Unclaimed Baggage • Haley Rutland, Marshall County Tourism and Sports • Jamie Christian, Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance • Joy Haynes, Cook Museum of Natural Science • Maggie Barnes, Lake Guntersville State Park • Tina Lawler, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association • Carson Dabbs, River Rocks Landing
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