Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 391-2 - COASTAL RESOURCES › Subject 391-2-4 - SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS › Rule 391-2-4-.18 - Shellfish sanitation; seed importation; water bottoms lease terms

Current through Rules and Regulations filed
				through June 27, 2024
(1)
Purpose.
The purpose of this
				Rule is to implement the authority of the Board of Natural Resources to
				promulgate rules and regulations based on current, sound principles of wildlife
				research and management establishing commercial shellfish sanitation
				requirements, seed size and importation criteria, and water bottoms lease
				terms.
(2)
Adoption of
				National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance.
The following
				publication is adopted by reference and is part of these Rules: The National
				Shellfish Sanitation Program ("NSSP") Model Ordinance entitled "Guide for the
				Control of Molluscan Shellfish Model Ordinance" ("Guide") covering the
				sanitation of harvesting, processing, and distribution of shellfish. Violations
				of the Guide are violations of these Rules, and the Department of Natural
				Resources is authorized to enforce any requirements set forth in the
				Guide.
(3)
Hatcheries and
				Nurseries.
All hatcheries and nurseries providing shellfish seed,
				whether in-state or out-of-state, must be certified by the department.
				Certification is based upon current, sound principles of wildlife research and
				management and history of shellfish disease in the vicinity of the hatchery or
				nursery facility.
(4)
Commercial shellfish seed size.
Clam seed shall not be greater
				than one-half inch and oyster seed shall not be greater than one
				inch.
(5)
Shellfish Seed
				Health Requirements, Importation.
For the purpose of possessing
				shellfish seed for mariculture in this state, any person permitted to conduct
				mariculture operations according to this section must adhere to the following:
(a) All shellfish seed used in mariculture
				must originate only from hatcheries or nurseries certified by the department;
				and
(b) Shellfish seed from
				out-of-state hatchery and nursery facilities must be accompanied by a
				Certificate of Health from a Department-approved pathologist certifying the
				shellfish seed as free from disease and pathogens and must include the
				following:
(i) Location(s) where the
				shellfish seed was spawned and nursed;
(ii) Size of shellfish seed tested;
(iii) List of diseases and pathogens in the
				analysis as required by the department;
(iv) Shellfish species tested;
(v) An indication that the shellfish seed was
				tested within 30-days prior to entering this state unless waived by the
				Department; and
(vi) Copies of the
				Certificate of Health must be maintained by the hatchery and/or nursery and the
				master harvester for a period of not less than three years.
(c) Visual inspection of
				out-of-state shellfish seed shipments prior to placement on a lease must be
				granted upon request by the Department. Imported seed may be rejected if there
				is non-conformance of shellfish seed size or comingling of species that is not
				listed on the bill of lading or invoice that accompanies such
				shipment.