§ 27-4-196. Distribution and Transplanting of Wild Oyster Shells and Culch Material by Permittee
It shall be unlawful for any permittee authorized pursuant to Code Section 27-4-190 to gather wild oysters for commercial purposes from intertidal water bottoms other than those leased from the state to fail to do one of the following each year: Distribute upon areas designated by the department at least 33 1/3 percent by volume […]
§ 27-4-197. Shellfish Sanitation Program; Requirements as to Shipment of Shellfish
The department and the Department of Agriculture shall conduct a shellfish program sufficient to be certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration for interstate shipment of shellfish produced in this state. It shall be unlawful for any person handling shellfish for purposes of sale or shipment to fail to keep such shellfish in […]
§ 27-4-198. Lease of State Intertidal and Subtidal Water Bottoms Within Approved Growing Areas From Department
The department may offer leases of state intertidal water bottoms within an approved growing area for the exclusive rights to harvest wild or maricultured shellfish pursuant to this Code section through public competitive bidding. Any person desiring to lease state intertidal water bottoms shall make an application in writing to the department in the manner […]
§ 27-4-199. Evidence of Intent to Use as Food; Inspection of Businesses
The distribution, sale, or possession with intent to distribute or sell any shellfish shall be prima-facie evidence that the shellfish were intended for use as food unless prior written approval from the department authorizing such possession of shellfish is presented. Game wardens and other authorized personnel of the department are authorized to take samples from, […]
§ 27-4-200. Forged or False Documents, Records, or Permits Unlawful
It shall be unlawful to knowingly produce, manufacture, or possess any forged or false documents, records, or permits provided for in this article. History. Code 1981, § 27-4-200 , enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 693, § 6; Ga. L. 2019, p. 619, § 1/HB 501. Editor’s notes. Ga. L. 2019, p. 619, § 1/HB […]
§ 27-4-201. Penalty for Violation of Article; Revocation of Authorizations
Except as otherwise provided in this article, any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. Any authorizations issued under this part to any person convicted of violating any provision of this article shall be revoked by operation of law […]
§ 27-4-202. Shellfish Mariculture Permit; Bond Requirement of Master Harvester; Penalty for Noncompliance
It shall be unlawful for a master harvester to engage in shellfish mariculture activities without first obtaining a shellfish mariculture permit from the department. A detailed mariculture operational plan must be approved by the department prior to any shellfish mariculture permit being issued. An operational plan shall include the species to be farmed, types of […]
§ 27-4-203. Conditional Certifications of Shellfish Hatcheries and Nursery Operations; Approval of Out-of-State Hatcheries; Authorization for Operation; Conditions for Permitting; Revocation
In accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management, the department may conditionally certify shellfish hatchery and nursery operations within the state, may approve out-of-state hatcheries for importation of shellfish seed into the state, and may issue authorization to shellfish hatchery and nursery operators to receive shellfish for mariculture activities. The department may […]
§ 27-4-187. Public Policy on Development of Commercial Shellfish Industry
The General Assembly finds that the wild harvest and mariculture of shellfish provide increased seafood production and long-term economic opportunities for coastal Georgia as well as increased ecological benefits to the estuarine environment by promoting natural water filtration and increased fishery habitats. The General Assembly also finds that there exists a public health concern when […]
§ 27-4-204. Permitting; Number of Cages; Identification Attached to Cages
The first time that a person obtains or renews a shellfish mariculture permit, he or she shall obtain a permit from the department establishing the maximum number of cages that may be deployed at any given time during that license year. Such permits shall be issued in 25 cage increments. The permittee shall pay a […]