§ 20-3-2. Powers and duties. (a) The marine fisheries council shall serve in an advisory capacity only to the state and agencies of the state regarding marine fisheries issues and to the director of the department of environmental management in the exercise of his or her authority under this title for the planning, management, and regulation of marine fisheries on matters, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

(1) The manner of taking fish, lobsters, and shellfish;

(2) The legal size limits of fish, lobsters, and shellfish to be taken or possessed;

(3) The seasons and hours during which fish, lobsters, and shellfish may be taken or possessed;

(4) The numbers or quantities of fish, lobsters, and shellfish which may be taken or possessed; and

(5) The opening and closing of areas within the coastal waters to the taking of any and all types of fish, lobsters, and shellfish.

(b) The council shall report annually by March 1 of each year to the governor, the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, the chairperson of the house committee on environment and natural resources, the chairperson of the senate committee on environment and agriculture, and to the house oversight committee and the senate committee on government oversight, for the preceding calendar year with regard to:

(1) The advice it has given to state agencies, including specifically the department of environmental management, on marine fisheries issues;

(2) The response it received to the advice it gave;

(3) Any findings or position it may have with regard to the status and/or condition of marine fisheries; and

(4) Any recommendations it may have for maintaining, improving, or changing laws, regulations, or management programs for marine fisheries.

History of Section. (P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 304, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 359, § 2.)