The Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) is celebrating its 20th year. Housed within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD), this federal-state partnership works to enhance the conservation of Georgia’s coastal waters, beaches and marshlands.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD) will open a unique exhibition featuring photography from members of the Coastal Photographers Guild on April 8, on view until April 30. The Beaches to Barrier Islands exhibit will feature over 40 works by Guild members, in an outdoor setting along the Earth Day Nature Trail on the campus of the GA DNR’s Coastal Regional Headquarters Campus in Brunswick.

With the passage of HB208 during the 2017 Legislative Session, Coastal Resources Division of the GA DNR is reminding commercial fishermen of several changes and additions that were made to Georgia’s commercial fishing licenses.   Changes affecting commercial fishermen harvesting saltwater species and dealers purchasing those species include the creation of two new licenses and 12 species endorsements. 

Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division has released the results of the 2017 Saltwater Angler and Guide Survey. The recently completed telephone and online survey was conducted among licensed Georgia resident saltwater anglers and guides to determine participation in various types of fishing, satisfaction levels and attitudes toward CRD management of red drum and spotted seatrout.

WHAT/WHEN:

•             No person may trawl for brown, pink, or white shrimp in federal waters off Georgia.

•             The closure is effective 8:45 p.m., local time, January 24, 2018.

•             NOAA Fisheries will issue a new Fishery Bulletin announcing the re-opening to shrimp harvest in federal waters off Georgia.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams has announced that Georgia's whelk trawl harvest season will open at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018 and close at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018.  The DNR will continue its policy of  requiring those who possess or fish for whelks with trawl gear in Georgia waters to have a no_-charge letter of authorization, the original of which must remain onboard the vessel during fishing activities.

Georgia DNR Commissioner Mark Williams recently announced that the U.S. Secretary of Commerce has requested Georgia Governor Nathan Deal provide nominations for the state’s obligatory and at-large seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This action is pursuant to the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P.L. 94-265).  Governor Deal's nominees must be residents of Georgia and knowledgeable regarding the science, conservation and management of fishery resources of the geographical area of the Council.

Since late December water temperatures in Georgia estuaries have been below average and in early January inland water temperatures dropped below 44 degrees – a critical level for some marine organisms.  The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and many anglers are concerned about the status of species that support the state's valuable recreational saltwater fishing activities including spotted seatrout. 

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) has announced that the commercial harvest of jellyfish with trawls in Georgia’s territorial waters will open at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, January 1, 2018 and close at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Individuals who wish to participate in jellyfish trawling must contact the Department to obtain a free letter of authorization (LOA) that must remain onboard the vessel when fishing. Prior to receiving an LOA, fishers will be required to submit documentation from an approved processor who has agreed to purchase the catch.

The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources recently deployed concrete rubble and culvert, donated by the City of Brunswick, as an enhancement to Artificial Reef SFC – located 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island.

Anglers will receive an additional weekend of red snapper harvest during the 2017 mini-season in the federal waters of the South Atlantic.

Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Mark Williams has announced the appointment of Doug Haymans to serve as the director of the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of DNR succeeding A.G. “Spud” Woodward who is retiring effective January 1, 2018.  The Board of Natural Resources will take action to approve Mr. Haymans appointment at its December meeting.   

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has approved a request by NOAA Fisheries to allow limited harvest of red snapper in the federal waters of the South Atlantic. Anglers can harvest red snapper during the following two weekends: November 3-5 and November 10-12. Each angler is allowed one red snapper per day with no size restriction. 

Updated Post-Irma Beach Water Testing Update as of 10/25/2017

Georgia’s territorial waters will re-open to commercial and recreational shellfish harvest effective 6:00 A.M., Saturday, September 30, 2017. GA DNR Commissioner Mark Williams closed shellfish harvest in state waters September 9th in anticipation of the expected impact from Hurricane Irma and in the interest of protecting public health.

Beach water testing has continued following a brief hiatus during Hurricane Irma.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced the availability of  Cycle 21 Coastal Incentive Grant funds through the Coastal Resources Division/Georgia Coastal Management Program.

Competitive grants are available for up to $80,000 per year for one or two year projects.  A 1:1 non-federal match is required. Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments, regional and state agencies (other than DNR), and state affiliated educational and research institutions in the 11 coastal counties.

**** Update as of 10/16/2017: Call center for Hurricane Irma emergency authorizations and moratorium will tentatively close on November 15th, 2017.****