Section 9-12-126 Inspection of Oyster Beds; Closure Order; Relay of Oysters from Closed Areas; Promulgation of Rules; Penalty; Enforcement.

(a) The State Board of Health is authorized to inspect the waters of the state where oysters are grown and harvested. When the State Health Officer shall determine that the waters surrounding the oyster beds are unsafe for the harvesting of said oysters, the State Health Officer shall issue an order to close the waters around said bed, which order shall be specific as to location of the area to be closed. Orders issued pursuant to this section shall not be considered rules under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act (Section 41-22-1 et seq.). After the issuance of such a closure order, no person shall harvest oysters in the said waters during the closure period. The State Health Officer is authorized to permit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to relay oysters from closed areas. (b) The State Board of Health is authorized to adopt and promulgate reasonable rules for the enforcement of this section, which rules shall have the force and effect of law. (c) Any person who violates any provision of this section or any rule promulgated hereunder or the order of the State Health Officer by harvesting oysters from a closed bed shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (d) The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall cooperate with the State Health Officer in the enforcement of closure orders.