§ 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 […]
§ 27-4-188. Definitions
As used in this part, the term: “Approved growing area” means that area or areas approved by the department in conformance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program which supports or could support the propagation of wild or maricultured shellfish that may be harvested and directly marketed for human consumption. “Approved shellfish pathologist” means a pathologist […]
§ 27-4-189. Regulatory Authority to Develop and Cultivate Shellfish Industry; Recommendations on Legislation
Except as otherwise provided by law and in accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management, the board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to develop and cultivate the shellfish industry in Georgia to include, but not be limited to, size, possession, and creel limits; season criteria; siting criteria, including lease […]
§ 27-4-190. Commercial Fishing License With Shellfish Endorsement and Master Harvester Permit or Harvester Permit; Hours for Taking Shellfish; Recreational Harvesting
It shall be unlawful to take or possess shellfish in commercial quantities or for commercial purposes without first having obtained a commercial fishing license with a shellfish endorsement and a master harvester permit or harvester permit or without proof of purchase that such shellfish were purchased from a certified shellfish dealer. Master harvester permits shall […]
§ 27-4-192. Methods of Taking Shellfish Generally
Unless authorized by the department, it shall be unlawful for any person to take or possess for commercial purposes any shellfish taken from the salt waters of this state except by hand or hand-held implement. The department may authorize the use of other equipment for taking shellfish for commercial purposes upon such conditions as the […]
§ 27-4-193. Taking Shellfish From Unapproved Growing Areas; Operating Facility for Controlled Purification of Shellfish
It shall be unlawful to take or possess shellfish from unapproved growing areas except at such times and places as the department may establish. The department is authorized to close approved growing areas to allow transplanting at any time between January 1 and December 31. It shall be unlawful to engage in transplanting of shellfish […]
§ 27-4-194. Minimum Size of Shellfish Which May Be Taken for Commercial or Noncommercial Purposes
It shall be unlawful to take any oysters for noncommercial purposes when the shells of the oysters measure less than three inches from hinge to mouth, except that oysters less than three inches from hinge to mouth may be removed if attached to an oyster of that minimum size and the oyster so attached cannot […]
§ 27-4-195. Times and Places for Taking Shellfish; Master Harvester’s Request to Harvest Shellfish During Periods When Shellfish Harvest Is Closed; Revocation of Permission for Closed Period Harvest
It shall be unlawful to take shellfish from any of the salt waters of this state except at such times and places as the commissioner may establish. The commissioner is authorized to open or close for the purpose of taking shellfish any or all portions of the salt waters of this state at any time […]
§ 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 […]