SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
The Georgia
Department of Natural Resources announced start of the commercial harvest of
jellyfish with trawls in Georgia's territorial waters.
The season runs
from 6:30
a.m. Feb. 1 until 9 p.m. July 15. Anyone who wants to take part in
jellyfish trawling can contact the DNR to get a free authorization letter that
must remain onboard the vessel when fishing. To get a letter, call Julie Califf
or Jim Page at 912.264.7218.
Until interested
trawlers receive that letter, they will be required to submit documentation
from an approved processor who has agreed to purchase the catch.
Jellyfish
trawlers must adhere to all requirements in the letter, possess all required state
licenses, including a commercial fishing license, and adhere to all gear
regulations for jellyfish trawls, including the use of a minimum 4-inch stretch
mesh and a federally approved Turtle Excluder Device with the opening modified
to exclude leatherback sea turtles, according to the DNR.
For more
information, call the Coastal Resources Division office at 912.264.7218.
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