DNR photo.

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Georgia's saltwater bounty isn't just a delicious treat; it's a vital industry. Commercial fishing for shrimp, blue crab, shellfish, and other marine species weaves itself into the fabric of the coastal economy, supporting communities and livelihoods. These fisheries generate millions annually, providing jobs for harvesters, processors, distributors, and restaurant workers. Beyond economics, these fishermen serve as stewards of the sea, adhering to strict regulations and contributing to sustainable practices. Their catches grace plates across the region, fueling tourism and showcasing the unique flavors of Georgia's waters. From plump shrimp to succulent blue crab, these fisheries offer a taste of the coast, connecting consumers to the ocean's bounty. While challenges like fluctuating seasons and environmental concerns exist, responsible commercial fishing ensures a vibrant seafood industry, nourishing both the economy and the coastal soul.

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Commercial Fishing Regulations

Fishermen who take finfish or other seafood for commercial sale must possess a valid commercial fishing license and if a boat is used, a commercial boat license. The license must be on your person while fishing (O.C.G.A. 27-4-110). Commercial fishermen must abide by season, creel and size limits when harvesting any of the finfish for which the Georgia General Assembly or the Board of Natural Resources (Board) has created regulations. However, individuals fishing with a valid federal commercial fishing permit in federal waters may exceed the creel limits provided those waters are open for commercial fishing with specified gear, minimum size limits are observed, the quota has not been met, and the Board has not prohibited sale of the species. Finfish for which there are minimum sizes and/or creel and possession limits must be landed head and fins intact. Transfer at sea is prohibited. (O.C.G.A. 127-4-130.1)

Download the Georgia Commercial Saltwater Fishing Regulations guide

Visit the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for federal regulations

Visit NOAA for Highly Migratory Species (billfish, sharks, tuna, swordfish)

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Important Information for Commercial Fishermen, Seafood Dealers, & Wholesalers

Georgia law requires a completed trip ticket for ALL trips landing marine or anadromous species (American Eel and Shad). If you are using commercial gear, this requirement applies even if your catch is intended for personal consumption. This flyer provides information about how to report landings and who is responsible, why it's important, and who you can contact with questions.

Why is this important? Data collection from commercial trips is vital to fishery management. Having accurate value for Georgia’s fisheries has become more important than ever, as natural disasters, fishery failures, and economic events impact the seafood industry. 

Economic aid to commercial fishermen and fishing communities is based upon the data collected by trip tickets. Unreported landings make Georgia’s fisheries appear to be less valuable than they really are, and the industry does not receive the amount of compensation it is entitled to. 

Download the Important Information flyer

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Commercial Fishing Licenses

Commercial fishing licenses may be purchased in person at:

Coastal Regional Headquarters
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
912-264-7237

When applying for a commercial license, you must include:

• Completed commercial license application
• Application for public benefit
• Copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• Check or money order payable to Georgia Department of Natural Resources (find correct fee)
  • OR the completed and signed credit or debit card form (included in application packet download) 
• If purchasing a vessel, include a copy of your state registration or U.S. Coast Guard documentation
• If your vessel is used for trawling, include the original bond or affidavit (no copies)

Download the Commercial Fishing License Application Packet:

Contact NOAA Fisheries for federal commercial fishing permits.

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Saltwater Charter/Guide Licenses

Saltwater Charter/Guide licenses may be purchased three ways:

In person at Coastal Regional Headquarters, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520

When purchasing in person, remember to bring:

• Your driver's license or government-issued photo ID
• State registration number or U.S. Coast Guard documentation number
• If purchasing the optional customer license, proof of U.S. Coast Guard license is required
• The license office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays

Mail your application to DNR Law Enforcement, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520

When purchasing by mail, be sure to include:

• Fully completed and signed license application. Include state boat registration number or U.S. Coast Guard documentation number on the application.
• A photocopy of your driver's license or government-issued photo ID
• If purchasing the optional customer license, proof of U.S. Coast Guard license is required
• A check or money order made payable to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Remember to add $5 transaction to the base fee per license. If paying by credit or debit card, provide all the information required in the Saltwater Guide Application packet. 
• Your license will be mailed to the address you provide on your application

Email your application to LE.Brunswick@dnr.ga.gov

When purchasing a license by email, be sure to follow the same steps as required for mailing your application via U.S. Postal Service. A PDF scan is the preferred method of receiving emailed applications. Remember to fill out the debit/credit card authorization and add $5 to the base fee for each license.

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Commercial License Types and Fees

Do you need a species endorsement?

Species	Endorsement Requirements	Covered by Trawler Crew License?
Bait Minnows	Required for harvesters.  Cashiers not actively harvesting are exempt	NO
Bait Shrimp	Required for harvesters.  Cashiers not actively harvesting are exempt	NO
Cannonball Jellyfish	Required to harvest or land.  The vessel captain or owner must have a purchasing agreement with an approved buyer on file with the Coastal Resources Division	YES
Catfish in Saltwater	Required for harvest or landing in saltwater.  Not required for freshwater harvest	N/A
Crab	Required for employees of licensed commercial crabbers, soft shell dealers, and trawler crew	YES
Eel	Required to harvest eels	N/A
Finfish	Required to harvest finfish, including trawl-caught fish, OTHER than shad, catfish in saltwater, and bait minnows.	YES
Food Shrimp	Required for employees of licensed commercial shrimp castnet harvesters and trawler crew	YES
Horseshoe Crab	Required to harvest or land, including trawler crew	YES
Shad	Required to harvest or land	N/A
Shellfish	Required for master collection permittees and employees actively involved in harvest or landings of shellfish	N/A
Whelk	Required to harvest or land whelk, including trawler crew	YES

License Fees

Licenses are valid from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. There is an additional $5 transaction fee per license.

License Type	Resident	Non-Resident
Commercial Fishing License	$20	$200
Crabbing	$20	$200
Crab Pots (per pot)	$2.50	$2.50
Cast Net Shrimp	$250	$2500
Trawl Vessel Crew	$200	$600
Species Endorsements	$5	$10
Bait Dealer	$40	$250
Soft-Shell Crab Dealer	$40	n/a
Seafood Dealer	$40	n/a
Trawl Vessel	$85 + $3/ft over 18ft	+$150
Non-Trawl Vessel	$5	+ $50
Pier License	$400	n/a
Saltwater Fishing Guide	$25	$50
Customer License up to 6	$150	$400
Customer License 7+	$400	$400

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Landings Data

Commercial Seafood Landings data are collected via trip tickets completed by seafood harvesters and dealers. Summaries of Georgia's landings are available as Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files.

• 10-Year Summary of Georgia landings by broad category

Georgia and coastwide landings data are also available from Julie.Califf@dnr.ga.gov, the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

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Data Collection and Surveys

Division staff conducts a variety of regularly scheduled surveys to gather biological, distribution, habitat, catch and effort data on a number of recreationally important species. Examples include the carcass recovery project, the cooperative angler tagging project, recreational angler surveys, red drum, and shark longlining, seafood harvest reporting, and trawl surveys. This information is used by the Department and interstate organizations to make resource management decisions at both the state and regional levels. Click this link to learn more about Data Collection and Surveys.

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Shellfish Harvest

The expansive marshes and nutrient-rich waters of coastal Georgia offer the entrepreneur a lucrative career in the commercial cultivation and harvest of shellfish. Currently, hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) are the only species cultivated and harvested in commercial harvest areas.

Click here for information on Commercial Shellfish Harvesting

 

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Have additional questions not answered here? Call CRD at 912-264-7218 or contact us.