Recreational, Commercial Shellfish Harvest Opens Oct. 1

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division (CRD) today announced the opening of Georgia's recreational and commercial shellfish harvest season at 7 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.

The opening applies to authorized shellfish areas along Georgia's coast and includes wild and aquaculture-produced oysters and hard clams harvested in accordance with state and federal health and safety regulations.

"Shellfish are an iconic part of Georgia's coast and an important economic and cultural resource," said Dominic Guadagnoli, CRD's Shellfish and Water Quality Unit leader. "Opening day marks the start of a busy season for harvesters, dealers, and coastal communities, and we appreciate everyone following the rules that keep our seafood safe and our marshes healthy."

What harvesters need to know

• Check open/closed areas: Shellfish harvest is only allowed in areas approved by CRD, where water quality is tested for potentially harmful bacteria. Find maps of recreational shellfish harvest areas in each coastal county at CoastalGaDNR.org/Shellfish/Recreational. Temporary closures may occur due to rainfall, water quality, or public health advisories. Sign up for closure alerts at CoastalGaDNR.org/News. Always verify status at CoastalGaDNR.org/Shellfishbefore harvesting.
  
• Size & Harvest Limits:Oysters must measure at least 3 inches from hinge to mouth for harvest. If an oyster is smaller than 3 inches, it may be harvested if it cannot be removed from a legal-sized oyster. For clams, the maximum depth from one shell half to the other must be at least ¾ inch thick. Recreational harvesters may keep up to two bushels of oysters and one bushel of clams per person, per day, with a maximum of six bushels of oysters and one bushel of clams per boat per day. A bushel is slightly less than two five-gallon buckets, as defined in O.C.G.A. 27-1-2(8).
  
• Licenses & permits:
  • Recreational:A valid Georgia recreational fishing license and free Saltwater Information Program permit are required and can be purchased at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com. Recreation harvest is for personal use only and may not be sold.
  • Commercial:A Georgia commercial fishing license and a Shellfish Harvest Permit are required. Dealers must hold appropriate certification and follow tagging and recordkeeping rules.
    
• Hours & methods: Shellfish must be harvested ½ hour before official sunrise until ½ hour after official sunset. Harvest is permitted using hand methods and handheld implements only. Mechanical harvest is prohibited.
  
• Handling & safety:Keep shellfish cool and shaded, avoid cross-contamination with meltwater, and refrigerate promptly. Individuals with compromised immune systems should cook shellfish thoroughly.
  
• Recycle your shells: CRD accepts spent oyster shell at locations across Georgia. The shell is put back into estuariesto recruit new oyster growth, which improves water quality and mitigates erosion. You can also support this work by purchasing the Support Marine Habitat license plateat your county tag office. Funds raised through the sale of this specialty plate are used to conduct oyster reef restoration and other habitat creation projects.
  
• Report violations:Call the DNR Ranger Hotline at 1-800-241-4113.

"Georgia's shellfish program balances access with sustainability," said Jill Andrews, CRD's chief of Coastal Management. "By harvesting only from approved areas and handling shellfish properly, everyone helps protect public health and the long-term productivity of our tidal marshes."

Commercial dealer/harvester reminders

• Tagging: Every container must be properly tagged at the harvest site with required information, including harvest date/time, location, and harvester ID.
  
• Time-to-temperature: Comply with time-to-temperature controls and cooling requirements specified in permit conditions and the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
  
• Recordkeeping:Maintain purchase and shipment records for traceability.
  
• Aquaculture leases:Follow lease maps, boundaries, gear restrictions, and reporting requirements.

CRD staff and DNR Law Enforcement conduct routine water-quality monitoring and compliance inspections throughout the season. Failure to comply with harvest, tagging, handling, and dealer requirements may result in citations, permit suspension, or product embargo.

For maps of approved harvest areas, current closures and advisories, and full regulations, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/Shellfishor contact CRD at 912-264-7218. Commercial harvesters and dealers with permitting questions may also contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Division.

About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast's natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Media Contact

Tyler JonesPublic Information OfficerCoastal Resources DivisionGeorgia Department of Natural [email protected]-275-5118

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