Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-2-4-.11 - Bait Minnow Trapping
(1)
Purpose. The purpose of these Rules is to implement the authority
of the Board of Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations to
regulate the times, places, numbers, species, sizes, manner, methods, ways,
means, and devices of taking, capturing, transporting, storing, selling, and
using wildlife to conserve bait minnows.
(2)
Definitions.
(a) "Bait Minnow" means any member of the
family Fundulidae, including but not limited to mummichog killifishes, commonly
known as mud minnows, but not including domestic fish.
(b) "Bait Minnow Trap" means a rectangular or
cylindrical cage or structure which is constructed of hardware cloth, wire,
plastic or similar material used for catching minnows to be used as bait.
Maximum dimensions shall not exceed 24 inches in length, 18 inches in width, or
9 inches in height for rectangular traps, or 24" in length and 30" in
circumference for cylindrical traps. A bait minnow trap used commercially shall
be constructed of materials with a mesh size no smaller than 1/2" bar mesh;
except, however, the funnel or muzzle to the trap shall be constructed of
materials of mesh no smaller than 1/4" bar mesh. A bait minnow trap used
recreationally shall be constructed of materials with a mesh size no smaller
than 1/4" bar mesh. The round throat (opening) of the funnel or muzzle to a
bait minnow trap shall not exceed 1 inch in diameter. Each trap must have
attached thereto a tag bearing the name and address of the owner of the trap or
must have tethered to each trap a float bearing the name and address of the
person using such gear. If the trap is used for commercial purposes, the tag or
float must also include the commercial bait dealer license number of the person
using such gear or the license number of the bait dealer employing the person
using the gear.
(c) "Department"
means the Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources
Division.
(3) Commercial
and Recreational Bait Minnow Trapping.
(a) It
is lawful to commercially harvest bait minnows of the family Fundulidae using
bait minnow traps as defined in paragraph (2)(b) above, in the saltwaters of
this state, provided such individual has a valid commercial fishing license
pursuant to O.C.G.A. Sections
27-2-23 and
27-4-110, and a valid bait dealer
license pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section
27-4-171, and provided that such
individual meets the requirements for live bait shrimp facilities as specified
in O.C.G.A. Section
27-4-171. An individual who is an
employee of a licensed bait dealer and who possesses a valid personal
commercial fishing license pursuant to O.C.G.A. Sections
27-2-23 and
27-4-110 and bait minnow
endorsement pursuant to Rule
391-2-4-.17 may work the bait minnow
traps of his or her employer.
1. No holder of
a bait dealer license commercially harvesting bait minnows may employ more than
20 traps at any given time.
2. The
sale of commercially harvested bait minnows by a properly licensed bait dealer
for resale purposes is allowed only to persons possessing a valid wholesale
fish dealer license pursuant to O.C.G.A. Sections
27-2-23 and
27-4-76.
3. A licensed bait dealer must maintain at
all times a daily record book showing the amount of bait minnows harvested and
sold daily. Written reports of such transactions shall be submitted to the
Department no later than the fifth day of the subsequent month in a format
prescribed by the Department.
4. No
licensed bait dealer or licensed wholesale fish dealer may possess more than
100 quarts of bait minnows at any time.
(b) It is lawful to recreationally harvest
bait minnows of the family Fundulidae using bait minnow traps as defined in
paragraph (2)(b) above, in the saltwaters of this state, provided such
individual complies with the recreational fishing license requirements as
specified in O.C.G.A. Sections
27-1-2 and
27-2-23.
1. No individual recreationally harvesting
bait minnows may employ more than 2 traps at any time, except that a saltwater
fishing guide licensed pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section
27-2-23.2 may employ a maximum
number of 4 traps at any time, provided that the bait minnows are not
sold.
2. No individual
recreationally harvesting bait minnows may possess more than 2 quarts of bait
minnows at any given time, except that a saltwater fishing guide licensed
pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section
27-2-23.2 may possess no more than
10 quarts of bait minnows at any time, provided that the bait minnows are not
sold.
Notes
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No prior version found.