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Georgia Seafood Directory

Choose the Retail or Wholesale buttons below to find listings of Georgia Seafood Providers, or Search for specific types of seafood. If you are a retailer or wholesaler and would like to add your information to the seafood directory, please fill out this form.

Southeast U.S. 
Norcross, GA 30071
Whitney Crawford

Amberjack, Cobia, Grouper, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, Snapper, Red, Ladyfish, Barracuda

Within 60-miles, Metro-Atlanta
26 Selman Road
Rome, GA 30165
Elaine Toles

Seafood type: Catfish (freshwater), Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, White Shrimp, Python Meat

Local Only,Within 60-miles,U.S.,International
663 East 33rd Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Drew Ambos

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Flounder, Kingfish (locally known as Whiting), Mullet, Croaker, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Lobster, Scallops, Conch, Alligator Meat, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Sashimi, Shad Roe, Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood

Local only
107 Speedy Tostensen Blvd
Brunswick, GA 31520
John Wallace

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Cobia, Grouper, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, Red or Vermillion Snapper, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Alligator Meat

Local Only,Metro-Atlanta
2276 Belmont Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
Alonzo Spurley, Jr.

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Softshell Blue Crab, Calico Scallops, White Shrimp, Cannonball Jellyfish

Local Only
21897 Georgia Highway 144
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Billy Dugger

Tilapia, Freshwater Prawn

Local Only
405 Boone Dock Road
Darien, GA 31305
Taffie B. Pierce or Holly Boone

Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

Southeast U.S.
300 West Henry Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Sonny S. Maharaj

Hardshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Raw Conchmeat, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab

Southeast U.S.
4500 Wickersham Drive
College Park, GA 30337
John Yates

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Golden Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Alligator Meat, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Shad Roe, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar), Smoked Seafood

Within 30-40 miles
416 Shield Way West
Waverly, GA 31565
Steve Miller

Catfish (freshwater), Hardshell Blue Crab, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

North America
1680 Roswell Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
Christoper Ogbuefi

Norwegian stockfish

Georgia
1591 Murphy Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
Ward Sweat

Catfish (freshwater), Red Snapper, Tilapia, White Shrimp

U.S.
1508 Gloucester Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
Frank Owens

Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Grouper,Mahi-mahi, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper,Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Flounder, Mullet, Shellstock Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp,White Shrimp, Alligator Meat, Shad Roe, Mullet roe.

 

Southeast U.S.
6150 Xavier Drive South West
Atlanta, GA 30336
Bill Dickenson

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Mahi-mahi, Alligator Meat

Georgia
6575 Sentry Hill Trail North East
Atlanta, GA 30328
Diana Fitzgerald

Trout (freshwater), Smoked Seafood, Smoked Norwegian Salmon, Smoked Trout

Southeast U.S.
3500 Empire Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30354
Maggie Ni

Shellstock Eastern Oysters

Atlanta-area farmer's markets
214 Vernonburg Avenue
Savannah, GA 31419
Nicole Dubberly

Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

Southeast U.S.
1018 Fab Church Road North East
Townsend, GA 31331
Earnest L. McIntosh Sr. or Earnest McIntosh Jr.

Hardshell Blue Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters

Georgia
827 Bay Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
Bill Eckerd

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Golden Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Alligator Meat, Cannonball Jellyfish, Shad Roe, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar), Smoked Seafood

U.S.
8800 Alligator Lane
Camilla, GA 31730
Mark A. Glass

Alligator Meat

International
1389 Riverside Drive
Townsend, GA 31331
(912) 437-6699

Cannonball Jellyfish

International
4685 Welcome All Road
Atlanta, GA 30349
Customer service

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Alligator Meat, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Cannonball Jellyfish, Shad Roe, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar), Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood

Metro-Atlanta
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 140
Marietta, GA 30062
Michael Arrington or Patrick Gebrayel

Cobia, Mahi-mahi, Trout (freshwater), Tuna,Smoked Seafood

U.S.
1651 Montreal Circle
Tucker, GA 30084
Bill Demmond, Steve Musser, or Chris Rosenberger

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Spadefish, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Other finfish species, Shellstock Hard Clams, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Alligator Meat, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Shad Roe, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar), Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood, Other specialty items

Metro-Atlanta
3485 Empire Boulevard; Suite A
Atlanta, GA 30354
Greg Seitz
North America
4155 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville GA, 30047
Cheyenne Boykins

Amberjack, Grouper, Red Porgy, Snapper, Red, Snapper, Vermilion, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Shellstock Hard Clams, Stone Crab Claws, White Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood

Local Only
610 Chevis Road
Savannah, GA 31419
Jack Douglas

Alligator Meat

U.S.
1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 200
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Jay Parker

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Mahi-mahi, Red Snapper, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Smoked Seafood

U.S.
1 King & Prince Boulevard
Brunswick, GA 31521
Mike Tigani

Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood, Sensations

Southeast U.S.
3 Old U.S. Highway 80
Tybee Island, GA 31328
Pat Mathews

Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

Southeast U.S. 
100 N Lee St, Kingsland, GA 31548
Al Daniels

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, Mackerel, King or Spanish, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, Shad, American, Snapper, Red, Snapper, Vermilion, Spadefish, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp

Southeast U.S.
205 Fort King George Drive
Darien, GA 31305
Thornell "T.K." King

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, King or Spanish Mackerel, Trout (freshwater), Blue Crab Meat, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Cannonball Jellyfish

Georgia
118 Sweet Shrub Drive
Eatonton, GA 31024
Larry Mashburn

Catfish (freshwater)

Metro-Atlanta
P.O. Box 1377, Marietta, GA 30127
Matthew Holmes, Jr.

Black Sea Bass, Cobia, Grouper, Mackerel, King or Spanish, Snapper, Red, Snapper, Vermilion, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

Local Only
107 Altama Connector
Brunswick, GA 31525
Donte Habersham

Blue Crab Meat, White Shrimp, Breaded Fish,Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab

Southeast U.S.
1075 Airport Parkway
Gainesville, GA 30501
Ron Wilson

Tilapia, White Shrimp

Georgia
260 Bateau Circle
Brunswick, GA 31523
Timmy and Ashley Stubbs

Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp

Southeast U.S.
2150 Boggs; Suite 500
Duluth, GA 30096
Mike Duran, Carlos Valdez, or Bernardo Bocanegra

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Tilapia, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Breaded Shrimp

Dockside and by special arrangement.
2679 Islands Highway
Midway, GA 31320
Joe or Belinda Maley

Shellstock Hard Clams, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Whelk

Georgia
63 Cross Cedar Road
Wrightsville, GA 31096
Dennis Moore

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Trout (freshwater), Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Alligator Meat, Breaded Clams, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab

Georgia
969 Escott Road
Kingsland, GA 31548
Mikell Peeples or Colenda Peeples

Hardshell Blue Crab, Stone Crab Claws

Southeast U.S.
3501 Old Oakwood Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
Tom Holbrook or Jeff Meagher

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Spadefish, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Wahoo, Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Golden Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Alligator Meat, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Cannonball Jellyfish, Sashimi, Shad Roe, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar), Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood

Eastern U.S. & Canada
1418 Sapelo Avenue
Townsend, GA 31331
Charles M. Phillips

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Cobia, Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, American Shad, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

Within 60-miles
115 Carter Street
Hinesville, GA 31313
Kenneth Wrease

Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Snapper, Red, Tilapia, Trout (freshwater), Spot, croaker, Alligator Meat, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Stuffed Seafood, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Golden Crab, Shucked Eastern Oysters, White Shrimp

Local Only
Highway 39 North
Ft. Gaines, GA 39851
Julie Pittman

Catfish (freshwater)

Eastern coast
1158 Blue Crab Lane
Townsend, GA 31331
Paul Hebb

Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab

Georgia
202 Alligator Aly
Homerville, GA 31634
David Evans

Alligator Meat

Southeast U.S.
1777 Old Townsend Road
Townsend, GA 31331
Brian or Robert

Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

North America
1867 Demere Road
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Ray Jones

Catfish (freshwater), Mahi-mahi, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Breaded Clams, Breaded Shrimp

Local Only
1508 Miller Avenue
Tybee Island, GA 31328
JB Riffle

Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp

North America
1744 Johnson Road North East
Townsend, GA 31331
Mike Townsend

Shellstock Hard Clams, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, White Shrimp, Whelk

Eastern U.S. & Canada
1418 Sapelo Avenue
Townsend, GA 31331
Charles M. Phillips

Shellstock Hard Clams, Shucked Hard Clams, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters

Southeast U.S.
1319 Sapelo Avenue NE
Townsend, GA 31331
Bill Harris

White Shrimp, Kingfish (Whiting)

Southeast U.S.
1248 Georgia Highway 99
Townsend, GA 31331
Chris Colson, Michelle Colson, or Della Colson

Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Grunt, Hogfish, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Triggerfish, Shellstock Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Smoked Seafood, Stuffed Seafood, Dips

Southeast U.S.
5400 Fulton Industrial Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30336
Keith Standard or Ken Peeples

Catfish (freshwater), White Shrimp, Alligator Meat, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab

International
665 Union Hill Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Ron Williams

Catfish (freshwater), Grouper, Mahi-mahi, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Trout (freshwater), Tuna, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, White Shrimp

Local Only
1345 Sapelo Avenue NE
Townsend, GA 31331
Christine Skinner

Kingfish (locally known as Whiting), White Shrimp

Local Only
9135 White Bluff Road
Savannah, GA 31406
Hope Meeks

Black Sea Bass, Grouper, Snapper, Vermillion, Tilapia, Triggerfish, Flounder, Whiting, Croaker, Redfish, Sea Trout, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Blue Crab Meat, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Shucked Eastern Oysters, Calico Scallops, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Crawfish, Mussels, Alligator Meat, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Deviled Crab, Shad Roe, Frog Legs

Open Tuesday-Saturday, Noon -8:00 p.m.

Georgia
State Farmers Market; Building K, 16 Forest Parkway
Forest Park, GA 30298
Gene Sutherland Jr. or Donald Pridgen

Catfish (freshwater), White Shrimp

Customer must pick up within 1 hour of order.
1236 Jackson Road North East
Townsend, GA 31331
Ouida W. Thomas

Hardshell Blue Crab

Georgia
7950 Spence Road
Fairburn, GA 30217

Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Catfish (freshwater), Cobia, Grouper, Hogfish, King or Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Red Porgy, Red Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Tilapia, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Breaded Clams, Breaded Fish, Breaded Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab

U.S.
504 Boone Dock Road
Darien, GA 31305
Howell Boone

Brown Shrimp, White Shrimp, Cannonball Jellyfish, Sturgeon Roe (Caviar)

Local Only
1382 Harriets Bluff Road
Woodbine, GA 31569
Karen Sharpe; Dick Robert

Catfish (freshwater), American Shad, Kingfish (locally known as Whiting), Croaker, Flounder, Other finfish species subject to availability, Shellstock Hard Clams, Hardshell Blue Crab, Softshell Blue Crab, Stone Crab Claws, Shellstock Eastern Oysters, Brown Shrimp, Rock Shrimp, White Shrimp, Whelk, Crab Cakes, Deviled Crab, Shad Roe, Stuffed Seafood

Southeast U.S.
1240 Menlo Drive
Atlanta, GA 30318
Mindy Haddock

Smoked Seafood

Southeast U.S.
3005 Center Place; Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30093

Georgia’s coastline is home to rich seafood resources, sustaining coastal communities through employment and nourishment.

Whether you live near Georgia’s coast or far from it, seafood is an important part of a healthful diet. It is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It contains omega-3 fatty acids which prevent heart disease and stroke, as well as promote healthy development of young children, infants, and unborn babies. In its recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015-2020 edition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reiterates that adults should eat at least 8 ounces (cooked edible portion) of a variety of seafood each week, which is equivalent to 2 to 3 servings. The average American consumes only one serving of seafood per week.

Click the seafood types below to learn about popular types of Georgia seafood, including their taste, catch method, season, habitat, fun facts and more!

Georgians rely on a network of harvesters, wholesalers, and retailers to provide them with safe seafood, whether it’s sustainably harvested from our coast or comes from other states or countries.

More than 200 seafood wholesalers and processors in Georgia provide a variety of healthful and delicious seafood products for consumers, as well as jobs for residents. The University of Georgia Marine Extension Service supports local seafood processors through technical research, marketing strategies, offering seafood HACCP training, and providing regulatory information.


Shrimp

Shrimp is Georgia’s most valuable seafood product.

TASTE: Georgia shrimp are succulent and nutritious. Our white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) is popular with chefs and gourmands because of its mild taste and delicate texture. The lesser-known brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) are smaller and sweeter; locals call them “brownies.” Shrimp is the most popular seafood in the United States, with an annual per capita consumption of about four pounds.

CATCH METHOD: Shrimp is harvested from Georgia waters within three miles of the coast and federal waters (three to 200 miles from shore). All commercial harvesters in the United States must use certified Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) and Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to minimize catching unintended fish and safely eject turtles who happen to swim into shrimp trawls.

SEASON: While harvesting is allowed year-round in federal waters, our state’s food shrimp season begins when the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determines that adult shrimp size and abundance is sustainable, usually in mid-June. Georgia’s shrimp season automatically closes December 31, unless extended by the DNR Commissioner.

FUN FACT: The original TED was invented by a Georgia shrimper in 1968. He also created the amazing Big Boy TED, the most recent TED to receive national certification. Check it out in this 60-second video.


Fish

Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata). FDA’s acceptable market name for this species is simply Sea Bass.

Small quantities of fresh finfish, typically consumed by coastal residents, are landed in Georgia.

SALTWATER: From highly coveted red snapper, mahi-mahi and tuna to lesser known triggerfish, vermilion snapper and wahoo, commercial fishermen haul in their delicious catches to satisfy hungry consumers.

FRESHWATER: In addition to wild saltwater fish, freshwater catfish and rainbow trout are grown in Georgia.

FUN FACT: A few farmers produce small amounts of tilapia in recirculating freshwater systems.


Oysters

Georgia oysters growing clustered together in their natural wild habitat.

Georgia oysters are making a sustainable comeback.

TASTE: The Georgia oyster (Crassostrea virginicus) is famous for its briny yet sweet taste. Once you’ve tasted one, other oysters pale in comparison. These delectable creatures hold a unique place in our state’s history, but seem to be our current best-kept secret.

HABITAT: The world renowned estuaries along the Georgia coast, composed of nutrient-rich marsh, create the perfect environment for cultivation. Our oysters grow in clean waters that meet standards set by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, as verified by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

SEASON: For added safety and quality, Georgia oystermen delay harvest June through September when spawning oysters lose their plumpness and hot weather encourages higher levels of naturally occurring bacteria in coastal waters. Wild Georgia oysters grow clustered together – a perfect match for oyster roasts.

THE HATCHERY: Our Shellfish Research Lab is collaborating with Georgia oystermen to cultivate single oysters which are larger, more attractive and desirable for the half-shell market, mainly in restaurants. In 2015, we started an oyster hatchery to enable Georgia oystermen to produce more single oysters and compete with other Southeastern states. To learn more about oyster farming in Georgia, see this story/video about E.L. McIntosh & Son.


Blue Crab

After mating with male or “Jimmy” crabs, pregnant female blue crabs produce sponge-like masses of eggs that remain attached to their bellies until the eggs hatch.

Blue crab yields one of the most delectable forms of crab meat.

TASTE: Tasty and tender, Georgia blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is delicious when picked right from the cooked hard shell, eaten in crab cakes, or in other recipes. Fried soft-shell blue crab is a highly-sought delicacy. Since there is not a large market for blue crab in Georgia, most of the crabs harvested here are transported north to the Chesapeake Bay area where there is a huge demand from tourists and residents.

CATCH METHOD: Georgia blue crab is managed as a limited-entry fishery. Commercial harvesters can renew or transfer their current license, but no new licenses are being issued. Crabs are caught in wire mesh traps placed underwater that use bait to attract adult crabs.

SEASON: In Georgia, the majority of blue crabs are harvested in March, April and May.

FUN FACTS: Female blue crabs with attached egg masses, called sponge crabs, are not harvested because of their importance in sustaining the fishery.


Clams

Georgia clams are succulent ocean-essence morsels.

TASTE: Hardshell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) have a delicate taste and creamy texture that lends itself to simple cooking techniques (steamed in wine and sautéed onion) as well as complicated dishes full of intensely flavored ingredients. Eating a Georgia clam is like feeling sea mist on your face – the refreshing flavor does not disappoint.

REPRODUCTION: Georgia clams reproduce, or spawn, in the spring and fall and must be at least 45 mm wide to be legally harvested. On average it takes about 18 months for clams to reach this size.

FARMING: Although hard clams grow wild off Georgia’s coast, it’s more efficient to “plant” seed, or baby clams, on leased land, so farmers know exactly where to look for mature clams when it’s time to harvest. Clam farming does not use manufactured feed or chemicals and is an environmentally-friendly and sustainable industry.Currently Georgia hosts thirteen clam farms, most of which are located in McIntosh County.

LEARN MORE: To learn more about clam farming in Georgia, watch this short video.


Whelk

A knobbed whelk in its natural habitat.

The Knobbed Whelk is Georgia’s state seashell.

Knobbed whelk (Busycon carica) is a large predatory sea snail. It is frequently confused with conch and can be substituted in recipes that use conch meat. Also called scungilli, whelk are popular in Italian-American cuisine. To prepare for eating, whelk are boiled, then either served in-shell or removed and chopped up to make fritters, salads or chowders.

Other gastropods found off the Georgia coast include channeled, pear and lightning whelks. Whelk are slow-moving, slow-growing and long-lived creatures. Because commercial harvesting of whelk is not a very lucrative endeavor, only a few Georgia fishermen currently harvest this delicious product.


Specialty Products

More than 200 seafood wholesalers and processors in Georgia provide a variety of healthful and delicious seafood products for consumers, as well as jobs for residents.

In addition to fresh finfish and shellfish, other species are harvested or grown in Georgia. Companies make breaded, smoked, and stuffed seafood products, crab cakes, deviled crab, sashimi, and caviar. Alligator meat comes from farmed and wild-trapped creatures. Cannonball jellyfish, locally known as “jellyballs,” are harvested, processed, and exported to China, Japan, and Thailand where they are considered delicacies. To learn more about this seafood, watch these videos about jellyfishing and jellyfish processing.


 

Contacts

Bryan Fluech

Associate Director of Extension, Brunswick, GA
Email: fluech@uga.edu
Phone: 912-264-7269

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