An official website of the State of Georgia.
Posted Dec. 4, 2024
Coastlines Georgia | December 2024 | Vol. 7, Iss. 4
By Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division (CRD) hosted a public meeting Nov. 13 to discuss a proposed mariculture zone in Glynn County.
The meeting focused on the recent introduction of subtidal oyster mariculture in Georgia, a growing industry that could have significant environmental, economic, and social benefits to Georgia.
The proposed mariculture zone in Glynn County, located in Jointer Creek, will cover approximately 31 acres and include three 7.5-acre leases. Initially, three leases will be offered through a lottery process set to begin this month. The area will be designed with a 100-foot easement for navigation, ensuring that vessels can safely pass through the zone at low water levels. As part of CRD’s due diligence process, public feedback was gathered to help determine the best possible site for this new mariculture zone.
Georgia’s Shellfish Program, managed by CRD, is designed to ensure sustainability through careful management of growing areas, harvest methods, and water quality monitoring. This program works in close collaboration with other state and federal agencies to maintain the integrity of the shellfish industry, particularly in regulating commercial harvests of oysters and clams.
Georgia’s Shellfish Industry and Water Quality Monitoring
CRD’s Shellfish Program is responsible for maintaining water quality standards in the state’s shellfish growing areas. Through regular sanitary surveys and monthly water sampling, the program ensures that the water in these areas remains safe for shellfish harvesting. The water samples are tested at CRD’s in-house laboratory to monitor bacteria levels, which must meet specific thresholds for shellfish to be harvested for human consumption.
In addition to maintaining water quality, CRD is also tasked with identifying suitable areas for commercial shellfish farming. This includes leasing state-owned water bottoms where harvest operations can take place. These leases are subject to annual permits, which ensure that operations follow both state and federal regulations. CRD encourages the use of best management practices to ensure that these areas are used in a safe, sustainable manner.
Shellfish Harvesting and Education
As part of the regulatory framework, all commercial shellfish harvesters in Georgia must complete an education program that teaches proper harvesting and handling techniques. This training is designed to ensure the safety of shellfish products intended for human consumption. CRD works with DNR’s Law Enforcement Division to prevent illegal harvesting and ensure that only authorized harvesters are collecting shellfish.
Recreational harvesters are also supported by CRD, which oversees the maintenance of recreational harvesting areas. Maps of these areas are available at CoastalGaDNR.org/ApprovedRecHarvestAreas, allowing the public to locate safe and legal places for harvesting shellfish.
The Rise of Oyster Mariculture
In recent years, Georgia’s shellfish industry has seen a rise in clam mariculture, with landings of farm-raised clams increasing significantly since the early 2000s. The introduction of oyster mariculture is expected to follow a similar trajectory, with the state hoping to see the same growth in oyster farming as was seen in clam production.
Oyster mariculture refers to the farming of oysters in controlled environments, either on the water bottom or suspended in the water column using various types of gear. This method is labor-intensive but can produce high-quality oysters that are sought after by high-end retailers and restaurants. One of the key advantages of oyster mariculture is that it can be conducted using floating gear, which allows farmers to work in more flexible conditions, without being as dependent on tides as traditional intertidal oyster farming.
Floating gear has another key benefit: it protects the oysters from predators and can promote faster growth. Additionally, oysters in mariculture operations act as natural filter feeders, removing excess nutrients and bacteria from the water. This process not only benefits the oysters but also improves water quality in the surrounding areas, supporting the health of local ecosystems.
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Mariculture
The environmental benefits of oyster mariculture are substantial. It’s estimated that a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, which helps to improve water clarity and reduce nutrient pollution.
As oysters filter the water, they also reduce the levels of harmful bacteria, making the water safer for other marine life. Furthermore, oyster mariculture can help restore wild oyster reefs by providing spawning oysters that can enhance natural populations.
Beyond the environmental impact, oyster mariculture also provides significant economic benefits. It creates jobs, supports local economies, and offers a sustainable source of low-impact protein. The growing popularity of oyster farming can also lead to increased tourism, as visitors flock to areas known for their oyster farms, providing a boost to local restaurants and farm-to-table markets.
Challenges and Regulatory Considerations
While oyster mariculture offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges. One of the primary concerns is the allocation of public water bottoms for private use, which can create conflicts with other waterway users, such as boaters and recreational fishers. Additionally, the use of floating gear in mariculture operations can potentially impact threatened or endangered species and their critical habitats.
To address these challenges, CRD has established a set of rules for siting mariculture operations. Leases for subtidal oyster farming must adhere to specific distance requirements from federal projects, commercial docks, and shorelines. Additionally, proposed mariculture sites must be compatible with critical habitats for marine species and other uses, such as shrimping zones and heritage preserves.
CRD is also using the concept of mariculture zones, where multiple leases are concentrated in a single area. Two mariculture zones already exist: one on the Bull River in Chatham County, and another in Sapelo Island’s Mud River. These zones reduce potential conflicts with other waterway users and help minimize navigational hazards.
Mariculture zones are clearly marked on navigational charts to help boaters avoid accidents. By grouping operations together, CRD also hopes to streamline the permitting process and improve compliance and enforcement, as more visible, concentrated operations are easier to monitor.
The development of mariculture zones represents an exciting opportunity for the expansion of oyster farming in Georgia. With careful planning and community involvement, the state is poised to establish a sustainable and profitable oyster industry that benefits both the environment and the local economy.
