An official website of the State of Georgia.
In Georgia, commercial shellfish harvesters participate in wild harvest and mariculture of both Eastern Oysters and Hard Clams. The Coastal Resources Division Shellfish and Water Quality Program is responsible for permitting commercial harvest areas, offering leases for commercial shellfish harvest, and monitoring the water quality in shellfish growing areas among other shellfish-related activities. For more information on the Program and the requirements of shellfish farmers in Georgia, please view the most recent version of the Shellfish Policy Manual below:
Shellfish Policy Manual Version 1.2 (December 2024)
General Regulations for Commercial Shellfish Harvesting
Shellfish are defined as clams, oysters, mussels, or any bivalve mollusk inhabiting the coastal estuaries, marshes or beaches of coastal Georgia. Commercial shellfish harvest or culture is only permitted on leases acknowledged and permitted by the State of Georgia.
All shellfish must be harvested between the hours of ½ hour before official sunrise and ½ hour after official sunset and may only be taken by hand or with handheld implements.
Minimum Harvest Sizes:
Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) – 2 inches, hinge to mouth
Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) – ¾ inch depth (perpendicular to hinge)
Leasing Opportunities
Please click here to see the most recent updates on current and upcoming leasing opportunities.
Commercial Shellfish Interest Survey
Please click here to take our Commercial Shellfish Interest Survey. The data collected in this survey will be used to notify interested parties of applicable commercial shellfish opportunities, to determine where to direct efforts and resources toward identifying potential lease sites, and to determine which types of leasing opportunities to provide (intertidal wild harvest, intertidal mariculture, or subtidal mariculture). Your input is greatly appreciated!
Contact Information
For questions concerning commercial shellfish operations, please contact the CRD Shellfish and Water Quality Program at (912)264-7218.
For assistance and other questions about the HACCP certification process and obtaining a Georgia Shellfish Sanitation Certificate, a Georgia Wholesale Fish Dealer License, or a Food Sales Establishment License, contact the Seafood Safety Office at the following number:
Georgia Department of Agriculture – Seafood Safety Office
(404)657-4801
Other Information and Links
Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference
National Shellfish Sanitation Program
United States Food and Drug Administration Certified Shellfish Shippers
Coastal Resources Division Shellfish and Water Quality Monitoring Program
