Georgia Opens Bidding for Intertidal Shellfish Leases in Bryan, McIntosh, Chatham Counties

Brunswick, Ga.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 12:00 pm

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division (CRD) is accepting competitive bids for intertidal shellfish water bottom leases that give the holder exclusive rights to harvest shellfish. Up to three leases are available for award in this application window.

A public Shellfish Leasing Dashboard shows all available parcels and details such as the minimum bid, estimated usable acreage, and each parcel’s designated use. View the dashboard here.

Two Types of Lease Areas are Available

Wild Harvest Area/Lease: Areas with existing wild clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and/or wild oysters (Crassostrea virginica) that are suitable for sustainable harvest, cultivation, and planting.
Mariculture Harvest Area/Lease: Areas without existing shellfish resources that are suitable for intertidal oyster and clam farming (mariculture).

Each vacant parcel has been evaluated based on current shellfish resources, bottom type, and depth.

How to apply

Download the Intertidal Shellfish Lease Application:
https://coastalgadnr.org/sites/default/files/crd/Shellfish/Website/Intertidal%20Application%202023.pdf

Match your plan to the parcel’s use:
Your application should focus on production and husbandry methods for the parcel’s designated use (Wild Harvest or Mariculture) as shown on the dashboard.

Include a 10-year management/business plan:
Applications will be scored using a weighted matrix based on the parcel’s designated use.

Submit a refundable bid deposit:
Bids must meet or exceed the minimum bid listed for the parcel and be submitted as a refundable cashier’s or certified check made payable to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Deadline

Bid packages must be received at CRD’s Brunswick headquarters by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Leases will be awarded in part on the bid amount, but the primary deciding factor will be the strength and completeness of the application, including the management/business plan. Selected applicants will be awarded one lease each in this window.

More information

View program details here.

View the Shellfish Policy Manuel here.

Questions about parcels, applications, or bids: Dominic Guadagnoli, CRD Shellfish & Water Quality Unit, 912-264-7218

Deliver bid packages to:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division
Attn: Dominic Guadagnoli
One Conservation Way,
Suite 300
Brunswick, GA 31520-8687

About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast's natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.