NOTICE OF PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES

TO: All Interested Persons and Parties
FROM: Doug Haymans, director, Coastal Resources Division
SUBJECT: Notice of Rule Making for Saltwater Finfishing for Sharks

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to authority contained in the Game and Fish Code (Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Title 27; O.C.G.A. §27-1-4), the Board of Natural Resources proposes to amend the Rules of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Saltwater Fishing Regulations, Subject 391-2-4. The proposed amended Rule, when adopted, will reorganize the shark species section of the regulations table to address catch limits for Hammerheads and Shortfin Mako Sharks; both measures are required for Georgia to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks.

Written public comment will be received through Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Mailed comments must be postmarked by November 1 and e-mailed comments will be accepted through close of business (4:30 pm) on November 1. Comments should be legible, concise, and limited to the proposed rule change.

Following this comment period, the Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rules on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 9:00 AM at the Brasstown Valley Resort, Creekside Pavilion, 6321 Highway 76, Young Harris, GA 30582.

Mail or email comments to:  

Carolyn Belcher
Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520

carolyn.belcher@dnr.ga.gov

Associated Documents

Click here to download the packet of briefing materials that Coastal Resources Division  submitted to the Georgia Board of Natural Resources for review at its Sept. 26, 2023. meeting. Including:

• Proposed notice
• Background and synopsis
• Date, time, and place of Board action
• Explaination of public participation plan
• Analysis of small business impacts
• Strike-thru rule
• Exact copy rule