§ 27-4-130 - Factors governing decision to open or close salt waters; public notice of opening or closing of waters
O.C.G.A. 27-4-130 (2010)
27-4-130. Factors governing decision to open or close salt waters; public notice of opening or closing of waters
(a) When this article provides that a determination to open or close any of the salt waters of this state, or to allow or disallow the use of certain equipment, is to be made in accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management, such determination shall be made only after a consideration of the following:
(1) The abundance and size of the seafood species in question;
(2) The number of persons licensed to take seafood;
(3) The department's forecast for commercial catches;
(4) The quantity, in terms of pounds, and the value, in terms of dollars, of anticipated commercial landings;
(5) The available climatological and meteorological data and influence on water temperature;
(6) The life history of each seafood species in question;
(7) The coastal ecological features directly related to the life history of such species;
(8) Anticipated amount and location of the demand for a seafood species;
(9) The resources which influence or are influenced by the abundance of and the spatial and temporal variations in seafood species;
(10) The water quality and other biogenic factors which influence sound wildlife research and management; and
(11) Any other factors based on recent scientific and technological advances which could result in a better management of Georgia's seafood resources.
(b) Public notice of the opening or closing of salt waters as provided in this article shall be given by posting a notice of all such openings at the courthouse in each coastal county and by such other means as may appear feasible to inform interested persons of the opening or closing. Such notices shall be posted at least 24 hours prior to any action taken pursuant to this Code section.