Upon forfeiture of a lease, the lessee may, in the reasonable discretion of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, be allowed additional time to remove from said leased parcel as may seem proper, upon such terms as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, oysters remaining thereon which were planted by said lessee. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall have authority by regulation to protect the lessees of oyster bottoms in their rights as such lessees.
Ala. Code § 9-12-25 (1975)