The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced a written public comment period for proposed changes to the Rules of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Saltwater Fishing Regulations. The proposed amended Rule, if adopted by the Board of Natural Resources, will prohibit the harvest of three species of hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, and smooth) less than 78 inches, fork length.
This proposed amended Rule will modify fishing regulations for state waters to be consistent with requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. This interstate plan was recently updated based on changes to shark fishing regulations for federal waters.
“Like many saltwater fish, the three species of hammerhead sharks covered by this proposed change can easily move between state and federal waters. Thus, it’s imperative that fishing regulations be consistent between state and federal management jurisdictions,” explained Spud Woodward, director of the Coastal Resources Division and one of Georgia’s three representatives on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. “This proposed change will not impact fishing regulations for the bonnethead shark, which has a hammer-shaped head and is commonly caught in Georgia’s coastal waters.”
Written public comments will be received through Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Mailed comments must be postmarked by December 31. E-mailed comments will be accepted through close of business (4:30 pm) on December 31. 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 January 31, 2014 at 9:00 AM in the College of Coastal Georgia, Southeast Georgia Conference Center, One Mariner Way, Brunswick, GA 31520.
Mail or email comments to: Doug Haymans, Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520.
Doug.Haymans@GaDNR.org
