Georgia Whelk Season to Open

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced that Georgia’s whelk trawl harvest season will open 6:30 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 and close at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2013. The department will continue its policy of requiring those who fish for whelks with trawl gear in Georgia waters to have a free letter of authorization, the original of which must remain onboard the vessel during fishing activities.

Individuals fishing for whelk with trawl gear must adhere to all requirements in the letter of authorization, possess all proper licenses, including a Georgia commercial fishing license, and adhere to all gear regulations for whelk trawls, including the use of minimum 4-inch stretch mesh trawl gear and a certified Turtle Excluder Device (TED).

Individuals interested in whelk trawling must contact Jim Page or Julie Califf with the Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218 to request a letter of authorization. For more information on regulations associated with the whelk fishery, please call the Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is comprised of six divisions which carryout DNR’s mission to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources. As one of six divisions within DNR, the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia’s wildlife resources, including game and nongame animals, fish and protected plants. WRD is comprised of four sections – Game Management, Fisheries Management, Law Enforcement and Nongame Conservation, which regulate hunting, fishing and boat operation, protect nongame and endangered wildlife, provide conservation education and enforce laws for the protection and use of Georgia’s natural resources.