Alabama does not have a state law equivalent to the federal endangered species act so species do not have regulatory protection as state endangered or threatened species. However, some species do receive regulatory protection through the Alabama Regulations on Game Fish and Fur Bearing Animals published annually. These are the primary regulations affording state protection for some species in Alabama, and are administered by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Copies of these regulations may be obtained from the Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, 64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. A digital version of these regulations is available online at
www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/regulations/

The Nongame Species Regulation (Section 220-2-.92) is also available online at:
www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/regulations/nongame.cfm

State Status Code Definitions

State Protected (SP) - Species protected by the Nongame Species Regulation (Section 220-2-.92, page 74-76 in the 2009-2010 Regulations) and the Invertebrate Species Regulation (Section 220-2-.98, pages 70-72 in the 2009-2010 Regulations).

Partially Protected (PS) - All mussel species not listed as a protected species under the Invertebrate Species Regulation are partially protected by other regulations of the Alabama Game, Fish, and Fur Bearing Animals Regulations. Regulation 220-2-.104 prohibits the commercial harvest of all but the 11 mussel species for which commercial harvest is legal. Regulation 220-2-.103 limits the commercial harvest of freshwater mussels to certain waters, and Regulation 220-2-.52 prohibits the take, capture, kill, or attempt to take, capture, or kill of any freshwater mussel from Wheeler Lake from Guntersville Dam downstream to the mouth of Shoal Creek and from the upstream end or head of Hobbs Island downstream to Whitesburg Bridge, Pickwick Lake from Wilson Dam downstream to the upper end or head of Seven Mile Island, Wilson Lake from Wheeler Dam downstram to the mouth of Town Creek on the south bank and the mouth of Bluewater Creek on the north bank, and the Cahaba River.