EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 9

WHEREAS, Alabama’s marine fisheries resources support a vast array of recreational, commercial, and environmental interests that are vital to the continued well-being of the State and its citizens;

WHEREAS, the commercial and recreational catches landed in Alabama are significant and both provide, directly and indirectly, countless jobs;

WHEREAS, there are a tremendous number of licensed commercial and recreational anglers who use Alabama waters and who consume and who provide for the consumption of fish caught, landed and processed in Alabama;

WHEREAS, tourism spending on the Alabama Gulf coast represents a significant percentage of Alabama’s total tourism revenues and is directly associated with both commercial and recreational fishing;

WHEREAS, Alabama seafood processors process a considerable amount of seafood, which is consumed both in Alabama and other states;

WHEREAS, Alabama restaurants serve a tremendous amount of Gulf seafood, but could and should serve more; and,

WHEREAS, Alabama retail establishments sell a vast amount of Gulf seafood, but could and should sell more.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby create the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission ("ASMC").  The mission of the ASMC is to help provide input, direction, advice, study, oversight, management and encouragement to the marketing of Alabama seafood, including fishing, harvesting, catching, processing, distributing, selling and consuming, and to improve the consumer perceptions of Alabama’s seafood, which includes any marine species from the Gulf of Mexico, wild or farm-raised.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the ASMC shall be comprised of fifteen (15) voting members appointed by the Governor to represent the many and varied industries and entities related directly and indirectly to Alabama’s seafood industry and the ex officio non-voting members set forth below.  ASMC members shall serve three-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms.  ASMC service shall be without compensation.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED ASMC voting representatives may be from any one of the following areas of interest:  seafood processing; seafood harvesting; for hire (charter); seafood distribution; retail sales; foodservice/restaurants; marketing, advertising or public relations; cities, counties or other governmental entities; and, representatives of business interests on or near the Alabama gulf coast or which otherwise involve, directly or indirectly, Alabama seafood.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the ASMC shall have as its non-voting ex-officio members a representative of each of the following, to be designated by the commissioner of each department:  the Alabama Tourism Department; the Alabama Department of Public Health; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Governor shall also appoint to the ASMC three non-voting ex-officio representatives from the following groups and offices:  Baldwin County Legislative Delegation; the Mobile County Legislative Delegation; and, the Alabama Governor’s Office.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the ASMC shall elect each year from among its members a Chairperson and shall meet from time to time at the call of the Chair to review, analyze and assess the marketing of Alabama seafood.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the ASMC shall work cooperatively and closely with Gulf-wide fisheries resource organizations, including the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and Gulf-wide seafood marketing organizations and coalitions to assist in research and marketing efforts to restore consumer confidence in the quality and safety of Gulf seafood in order to ensure the best possible economic and environmental future for Alabama’s Gulf fisheries, seafood and the industries that rely on Alabama’s Gulf fisheries and seafood.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 18th day of March, 2011.

Robert Bentley