---
title: O.C.G.A. § 27-4-203. Conditional certifications of shellfish hatcheries and nursery operations; approval of out-of-state hatcheries; authorization for operation; conditions for permitting; revocation.
collection: code
id: 27-4-203
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 27-4-203 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-203
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-203.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-203/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t27-t30-(v22)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=3d92bb7f_0#page=114
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-202.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-204.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: GAME AND FISH / FISH / SEAFOOD / SHELLFISH
---

# O.C.G.A. § 27-4-203. Conditional certifications of shellfish hatcheries and nursery operations; approval of out-of-state hatcheries; authorization for operation; conditions for permitting; revocation.

(a) In accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management, the department may conditionally certify shellfish hatchery and nursery operations within the state, may approve out-of-state hatcheries for importation of shellfish seed into the state, and may issue authorization to shellfish hatchery and nursery operators to receive shellfish for mariculture activities.

(b) The department may grant permits to master harvesters to import hatchery produced shellfish seed under the following conditions:

(1) Shellfish seed shall be certified disease-free by an approved shellfish pathologist; and

(2) The importation of shellfish seed is confined to seed that originates from department approved hatcheries.

(c) Failure to comply with department rules and regulations, in whole or in part, may result in revocation of any applicable shellfish mariculture permits granted pursuant to this part.

## History

Code 1981, § 27-4-203, enacted by Ga. L. 2019, p. 69, § 1/HB 501.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2019, “originates” was substituted for “originate” in paragraph (b)(2).

## Effective Date

This Code section became effective May 6, 2019, for purposes of promulgating rules and regulations necessary to administer the provisions of this Act and became effective on March 1, 2020, for all other purposes.