§ 27-4-170 - Sport bait shrimping - Georgia Statutes

O.C.G.A. 27-4-170 (2010)
27-4-170. Sport bait shrimping

(a) Any provision of this title to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who has a recreational fishing license may use a power-drawn net in accordance with this Code section, such net not to be larger than a ten-foot net and to be constructed of mesh not smaller than one inch when stretched, for the purpose of fishing for shrimp to be used for live bait in this state, provided that the shrimp are not to be sold. In addition to the general provisions of this Code section, the Board of Natural Resources is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations establishing the gear and methods allowed for sport bait shrimping. It shall be unlawful to fish for shrimp to be so used at night. It shall also be unlawful to fish for shrimp pursuant to this Code section except in those rivers or creeks or portions thereof opened to such taking. The determination of whether to open or close a river or creek or portion thereof shall be made by the commissioner or his or her designee in accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management as provided in Code Section 27-4-130. No person fishing for shrimp under this subsection shall possess more than two quarts of bait shrimp at any time, no more than one-half pint of which may be dead; but any such person may take a maximum of four quarts of bait shrimp during any 24 hour period. When two or more persons fishing for shrimp under this subsection occupy the same boat, at least one such person must have a recreational fishing license; and there may be no more than four quarts of bait shrimp on board the boat at any time, no more than one pint of which may be dead; but the persons occupying the boat may take a maximum of eight quarts of bait shrimp during any 24 hour period. Possessing or taking more than the limits prescribed in this subsection shall be unlawful. Possessing more than these limits shall be prima-facie evidence that the shrimp were taken for some purpose other than to be used as live bait.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of, for human consumption, any shrimp caught pursuant to this Code section or to possess such shrimp for the purpose of sale or other distribution for human consumption or personally to consume such shrimp. Possession of shrimp with heads off shall be prima-facie evidence that the shrimp are to be sold for human consumption or are personally to be consumed.

(c) (1) It shall be unlawful for any person fishing for bait shrimp for noncommercial purposes to use any cast net other than a bait shrimp cast net.

(2) The salt waters of the state shall be open to fishing for bait shrimp at any time of the year; provided, however, that when food shrimp season is closed, any person fishing for shrimp under this paragraph shall possess no more than two quarts of bait shrimp at any time, all of which may be dead; and provided, further, that any such person may take a maximum of four quarts of bait shrimp during any day. When two or more persons taking shrimp under this subsection occupy the same boat, there may be no more than four quarts of bait shrimp on board the boat at any time, all of which may be dead; and the persons occupying the boat may together take a maximum of eight quarts of bait shrimp during any day.