The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has re-opened the harvest of shellfish in state waters as of 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, following a brief precautionary closure caused by Hurricane Dorian.

DNR Commissioner Mark Williams signed an administrative order scheduling the re-opening of shellfish fisheries include clams and other bivalve mollusks, but does not include the harvest of oysters.

Oyster harvesting will remain prohibited until at least Oct. 1, 2019, and when water temperatures fall below 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

The harvest of shellfish was previously closed out of caution to protect public health and in accordance with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference and Federal Food and Drug Administration guidelines. 

The re-opening is occurring Friday because rainfall amounts from the storm did not exceed two inches over a two-day period in each of the shellfish growing areas. Storm surge levels were also lower than predicted.

This re-opening affects commercial and recreational harvest of shellfish for human consumption.

Anyone with questions may contact Dominic Guadagnoli at 912-617-1741.