27-4-189. Regulatory authority to develop and cultivate shellfish industry; recommendations on legislation.

Except as otherwise provided by law and in accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management, the board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to develop and cultivate the shellfish industry in Georgia to include, but not be limited to, size, possession, and creel limits; season criteria; siting criteria, including lease size for mariculture activities; methods for issuing leases, including number issued per year, lease values and terms, and the importation of molluscan shellfish, shellfish tissues, or shells into this state to include place or region of origin, minimum and maximum seed size, ploidy, and type. When promulgating rules and regulations, the board shall take into account public health as the primary consideration.#

The board shall transmit to the chairpersons of the Game, Fish, and Parks Committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee a list of recommended legislation necessary to improve Georgia’s mariculture industry.#