The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close the state’s salt waters to commercial and recreational oyster harvesting for human consumption effective 6 a.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025. The closure extends through midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, and applies to all salt waters from the Georgia-South Carolina state line to the Georgia-Florida border. 

The seasonal closure is enacted annually to protect public health during the warmer months, when the risk of shellfish-related illnesses—particularly those caused by the naturally occurring bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus—is elevated due to rising water temperatures. 

The closure follows the requirements of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §§ 27-4-195 and 27-4-197(a)) and supports compliance with federal guidelines established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. These guidelines recommend implementing Vibrio control measures, including seasonal harvest closures, when average water temperatures exceed 81 degrees Fahrenheit. 

An administrative order signed by DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon further cites recent scientific studies showing that the commercial quality of intertidal oyster meats declines significantly during the summer months. 

This closure does not apply to subtidal mariculture oyster farms operated by certified Master Harvesters who have received explicit permission from the DNR. These operations must comply with stringent harvest, handling, and cold-chain management requirements outlined in Georgia’s recently implemented Vibrio control plan and shellfish mariculture regulations. 

Oyster harvesting in Georgia will reopen at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, when cooler temperatures improve both product safety and quality. For more information, contact the Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218.

• The agreement lets Georgia Power charge customers later for storm damage — without public hearings.
• Georgia Power has increased its customer rates three times in the last six years.
• Watch the video to hear from neighbors about the impact storm damage hikes does to their income.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

Georgia Power says it won’t raise your base rates for three years, but a proposed deal with state regulators could still mean higher bills.

Under a proposed agreement announced Monday, Georgia Power would skip its usual rate case this summer — and lock in base rates through 2027.

Spokesman Jacob Hawkins says the company is working to “balance the affordability needs of our customers while ensuring Georgia Power remains equipped to continue its support of our state’s incredible growth.”

But consumer advocates like the Southern Environmental Group warn that the deal lets Georgia Power charge customers later for storm damage — with no public hearing.

That’s a big concern in Valdosta, where nearly a third of families live in poverty and where some customers saw bills double after Helene.

“It’s been going up a lot like during the hurricane. You know you still have a balance because you have to pay for the service for having the service, so it makes it go up.”

Pamela Frazier’s monthly charges jumped from under $60 to over $130 — despite little change in her usage. She relies on Georgia Power’s prepaid app to keep afloat, but rising rates won’t help her catch up.

“For myself, paying has been a job — especially without having a job,” said Frazier. “So it’s been kind of hard. But when you got help, it’s OK. It’s a little help.”

Georgia Power has increased its customer rates three times in the last six years.

The Public Service Commission has until July 1 to approve or reject the deal.

In Valdosta, I’m Malia Thomas, reporting for ABC27.

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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Law enforcement served up safety this Memorial Day weekend, from the waters to the roads.

“Safety first, we try to be as safe as possible,” said Shafer Harrington, who visited Lake Allatoona over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said they have seen a “noticeable increase” in driving under the influence (DUI) arrests and distracted driving violations. The department counted 11 car travel related deaths as of Monday evening, including the three young rising adults with ties to Metro Atlanta and who went to Stillman College in Alabama.

Officials said the single-car fatal crash happened Saturday on I-75 Southbound in Clayton County near the exit ramp for Tara Boulevard.

3 from Alabama college with ties to metro Atlanta killed in crash

Officials said their preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle veered out of its lane and went into a nearby ditch. Shortly after the crash, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames, said officials.

Officials said the occupants of the vehicle were unable to escape and died at the scene.

At Lake Allatoona, the Department of Natural Resources arrested a man for boating under the influence, or BUI. The DNR says the man returned to Harbor Town Marina following strong thunderstorms, struck the dock and another vessel.

According to the DNR, The officers interviewed the man and determined that he was under the influence. The DNR said officers arrested the man for BUI and transported him to the Cherokee County Jail.

“It can be frightening, it can be frightening,” said Eric Coleman, who has been coming to Allatoona for the past two decades.

“A lot of them don’t know the seriousness of handling the boat and drinking,” added Coleman.

Coleman said he has been coming to Allatoona to teach the community about water safety, especially during holidays and high occupancy at the lake.

Coleman said he has a boating group with friends, called Over The Top Motor Sports, who have water vessels to allow people to use one of the many jet skis or boats.

Coleman said they have one very important rule for people using the water equipment, “they know that when they start drinking they are done with the water, they are not on the water at all anymore,” said Coleman.

The DNR said they have had four BUI arrest so far this year, at Lake Allatoona. That statistic is not sitting well for some lake goers.

“It sucks, it sucks honestly. They are drunk and doing thing when they shouldn’t be doing it, I wish it gets better,” said Hailly Alameida, who visited Lake Allatoona for the holiday weekend.

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