01-17-2013, 07:10 PM
BRUNSWICK, GA - Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark Williams has announced that a new bait shrimp trawl zone will open at 6:00am on Friday, February 1, 2013 in Wilmington River (Chatham County, Georgia) for commercial and recreational harvest of bait shrimp.
"Since the early 1980's, the number of recreational saltwater fishing trips has almost doubled and Chatham County is one of the most popular fishing areas along the coast," according to Coastal Resources Division biologist, Todd Mathes. The new bait zone will benefit local bait dealers, as well as recreational anglers who use trawl nets to capture live bait shrimp. "It can be difficult to find bait-size shrimp on a year-round basis so it's important to have bait zones located in several areas to allow for varying environmental conditions," Mathes added.
The new bait shrimp trawl zone begins where the Skidaway River intersects the Wilmington River, and continues eastward to the western end of Sister Island. This new zone extends from the edge of the marsh on the southern side to the center of the Wilmington River.
All bait shrimp trawling is restricted to designated established bait zones. Commercial and recreational harvest of bait shrimp with trawls is restricted to a period from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Unless otherwise designated, there is no closed season for the harvest of bait shrimp; however, bait zones may be opened and closed at the discretion of the DNR Commissioner if circumstances warrant. Trawl nets used for commercial bait shrimping may be no larger than twenty feet at the widest part of its mouth, while recreational bait trawl nets are required to measure no larger than ten feet.
Contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218 for information pertaining to the opening of the new bait zone in Wilmington River.
Media Contact
Nancy Butler<br />
Communications/Outreach<br />
GA DNR/CRD<br />
One Conservation Way<br />
Brunswick, GA 31520<br />
912.262.3140<br />
nancy.butler@gadnr.org
"Since the early 1980's, the number of recreational saltwater fishing trips has almost doubled and Chatham County is one of the most popular fishing areas along the coast," according to Coastal Resources Division biologist, Todd Mathes. The new bait zone will benefit local bait dealers, as well as recreational anglers who use trawl nets to capture live bait shrimp. "It can be difficult to find bait-size shrimp on a year-round basis so it's important to have bait zones located in several areas to allow for varying environmental conditions," Mathes added.
The new bait shrimp trawl zone begins where the Skidaway River intersects the Wilmington River, and continues eastward to the western end of Sister Island. This new zone extends from the edge of the marsh on the southern side to the center of the Wilmington River.
All bait shrimp trawling is restricted to designated established bait zones. Commercial and recreational harvest of bait shrimp with trawls is restricted to a period from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Unless otherwise designated, there is no closed season for the harvest of bait shrimp; however, bait zones may be opened and closed at the discretion of the DNR Commissioner if circumstances warrant. Trawl nets used for commercial bait shrimping may be no larger than twenty feet at the widest part of its mouth, while recreational bait trawl nets are required to measure no larger than ten feet.
Contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218 for information pertaining to the opening of the new bait zone in Wilmington River.
Media Contact
Nancy Butler<br />
Communications/Outreach<br />
GA DNR/CRD<br />
One Conservation Way<br />
Brunswick, GA 31520<br />
912.262.3140<br />
nancy.butler@gadnr.org