Georgia to extend shrimp season harvest

For those looking to get out on the water during the relatively chilly days ahead, the state Department of Natural Resources announced it is extending the food shrimp harvest season and will open commercial jellyfish harvest season Jan. 1.

For shrimping, commercial trawlers can remain operating in waters east of the sound-beach boundary, as can commercial and recreational cast-netters and folks using beach seine. According to the DNR, the season is to last until 6:15 p.m. Jan. 15. The season usually goes on past Dec. 31, as long as the weather does not get too cold and shrimp continue in abundance.

“Our coast-wide trawl survey showed shrimp abundance in the coastal waters of Georgia to be only sightly below the long-term average,” Lindsey Aubart, a marine biologist with DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, said in a statement. “Based on our data and input from the Shrimp Advisory Panel, we recommended to (DNR) Commissioner Mark Williams that the food shrimp harvest extend til the 15th of January to allow for continued harvest.”

Meanwhile, the state cannonball jellyfish fishery will be open from the beginning of the year through 8:30 p.m. March 31. DNR advises folks who want to jellyfish trawl to obtain a free letter of authorization, and to remain onboard the boat while fishing. Among the other requirements is people need to use a minimum 4-inch stretch mesh with a federally approved turtle excluder device. Next year is the fifth year of the officially recognized state cannonball jellyfish fishery. “The Georgia cannonball jellyfish fishery continues to be a growing industry and is the largest of its kind in the country,” Pat Geer, Marine Fisheries Section chief for CRD, said. Folks with questions should call 912-264-7218.