Commercial Shellfish Harvest

Advertisement Requesting Lottery Applications for Subtidal Shellfish Leases (Posted 12/13/21)

The State of Georgia requests applicants for a lottery devised to grant three (3) subtidal water bottoms leases bearing exclusive rights for commercial shellfish production (click here to view a map). Price per acre will be $150.00 for a total annual lease fee of $1,125.00. The subtidal water bottoms shall primarily be used for the purpose of intensive mariculture of Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) using floating gear. This lottery will award three (3) individual leases of 7.5 acres each. These leases are located in Bull River in Chatham County GA, directly northeast of the mouth of Pa Cooper Creek. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Paper Nautical Chart (#11512) generally describe the area including depth soundings. A detailed map of the parcels is available at the website listed below.

The lottery has minimum requirements for entry, and qualified candidates will be ranked using priority points. Priority points will be awarded based primarily on the applicant’s experience with the handling and marketing of molluscan shellfish. Leaseholders will be responsible for tagging cages and marking lease corners. Further information on the location and requirements of the leases and the lottery process can be found in the CRD Shellfish Policy Manual and the Lottery Application for Subtidal Shellfish Mariculture Leases found at the website below.

For more information, please visit https://coastalgadnr.org/commercialshellfishharvest or contact Mr. Dominic Guadagnoli at (912) 264-7218. Please deliver lottery applications to:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Coastal Resources Division

Attn: Dominic Guadagnoli

One Conservation Way, Suite 300

Brunswick, GA 31520-8687

Lottery Applications must be marked received at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division no later than 4:30 p.m. January 31, 2022.

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:

Status Update: As of 12/9/2021, cage permits and fees are temporarily suspended.

Shellfish Policy Manual Version 1.1 (May 2021)

General Information on 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:

Current commercial leasing opportunities will be posted at the top of this webpage. Additionally, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/gadnr/subscriber/new and be sure to select "Shellfish Leasing Updates and Opportunities" under the Coastal Resources category to subscribe to email updates regarding leasing opportunities.

An online leasing map is under development and will be available in 2022. This tool will include information on vacant and occupied leases including locations, aerial imagery, acreages, designated uses and more. Until then, please check this website for information or subscribe to updates as described above.

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