BRUNSWICK — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is accepting written public comments on a proposal to amend a rule of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ saltwater fishing regulations.

The proposed amended rule, if adopted, will prohibit recreational shark fishing with any gear other than rod and reel and handline, with handline defined in the proposed rule. Also, any dealer buying or selling sharks caught in state waters will be required to purchase a federal commercial shark dealer permit.

These proposed amendments are required for Georgia to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks.

Written public comments can be submitted through March 4. They must be postmarked by March 1. E-mailed comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. March 4. Comments should be legible, concise and limited to the proposed rule change.

Following this comment period, the Board of Natural Resources coastal committee will consider the proposed rule on March 23, at 1 p.m. The full Board of Natural Resources will meet at 9 a.m. March 24. Both meetings will be at the Department of Natural Resources board room , at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., suite 1252 east, Atlanta, GA 30334.

Mail or e-mail comments to:

Doug Haymans, Coastal Resources Division

One Conservation Way

Brunswick, GA 31520

doug.haymans@gadnr.org

Additional information is available at www.coastalgadnr.org.