SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – New regulations are splashing into the shellfish industry in Georgia this summer, allowing commercial farmers to harvest oysters during previously restricted warmer months.

WRDW’s sister station, WTOC, learned how local oyster farmers are feeling about these changes.

In the past, farmers were unable to harvest oysters between the end of May and beginning of October.

With new regulations in place, farmers can continue working through those previously restricted months.

Oyster farmers say this change is great, but there’s still a catch.

An extended season but reduced operating time is part of this new deal for the area’s oyster farmers.

The summer southern heat is a breed ground for potentially harmful Vibrio bacteria which in the past has halted the harvest.

To reduce the risk of contamination and allow for year-round harvesting, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources established strict time and temperature controls.

Tybee Oyster Company owners Laura and Perry Solomon say they want their product to be safe, but one challenge they’ve run into is tight turn around times for harvest-to-refrigeration.

Laura says they have to sprint in order to get everything done in just two hours.

“We’re fortunate that our facility is close to the boat house, but you know, for farms that have to travel a long distance that travel time is built into your harvest-to-refrigeration time,” said Solomon.

Other states, like South Carolina and Florida, have a longer window of time to complete their daily harvests. Which poses the question as to why Georgia can’t follow suit.

Charlie Phillips, president of the Georgia Shellfish Growers Association, says this regulation is too strict.

“I mean if South Carolina can have three-and-a-half hours and Florida can have three-and-a-half or four hours, whatever they’ve got, we need the same thing. It’s hard to compete when you’re not on a level playing field,” said Phillips.

Local oyster farmers say the new regulations are a step in the right direction for the industry, but they’re also hoping more changes are on the horizon.

“We’re very grateful that it’s happening this summer. We’re optimistic that we’re going to be able to implement it with no hitches, and we look forward to future summers maybe having a little bit more time,” said Solomon.

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App State Baseball conceded five runs in the top of the first and was unable to overcome the early deficit in a 20-10 loss to Georgia State on Friday at Smith Stadium.

As a result, Saturday’s season finale between App State (22-30, 12-17) and Georgia State (26-29, 11-18) will serve as an elimination game, with the winner claiming the final spot in next week’s Sun Belt tournament.

Tyler Lichtenberger hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning and Kameron Miller belted a three-run shot in the ninth as the duo combined for seven hits and six RBIs in the contest. Riley Luft also added two hits and drove in three runs.

Georgia State hit five home runs in the ballgame and scored five runs in three different innings to help the visitors put the game away late.

On the mound, Conner Barozzino paced the Mountaineers, allowing just a run in 3.1 innings in relief while striking out two.

The 2025 App State baseball season is presented by Chick-fil-A.

{Information provided by Appalachian State Athletics}

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are the 2025 ACC Regular Season Champions! With a dominating win over Duke today to win the series and a little bit of help elsewhere, Georgia Tech has won the regular season title in the ACC.

Georgia Tech finished the regular season at 39-16 (19-11 ACC) and won back-to-back series against ranked ACC teams to get it done. Last weekend, Georgia Tech overcame a bad game one performance to beat Louisville and this weekend, they took game one and game three vs Duke to seal the deal in Danny Hall’s last season.

The big goals lay ahead for Georgia Tech though. They will now be the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament and there is a path to them hosting a regional if they are not a one-and-done next week.

The win today came courtesy of some timely home runs and a great bullpen performance from Jaylen Paden.

Burress was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second before he was brought in by Schmidt to make it 1-0. It was the only run of the inning, but Georgia Tech was on the board.

After Duke tied it up, the Yellow Jackets got the lead back for good in the 4th. A pair of singles from Hernandez and Lackey put two runners on and then a 2-RBI double from Kerce gave Georgia Tech a 3-1 lead. Baker flew out and Rogers struck out to end the inning, but the Yellow Jackets were back in front.

A homerun in the 4th cut Georgia Tech’s lead in half, but they did not take long to respond. Hernandez and Lackey singled to put two runners on base and then a sac fly from Lodise got the lead to 4-2 and that was the lead heading to the bottom of the 5th

Baker singled and Rogers walked to put two runners on and then an RBI double from Burress pushed the lead to 5-2. Schmidt popped out and Lodise struck out to end the inning, but the Yellow Jackets stretched their lead

Jaylen Paden was fantastic in this game. He pitched four innings of scoreless baseball and kept the Yellow Jackets in front, striking out three batters in the process. Burress and Hernandez added a pair of homers to make it 8-2 and that was the final score. Georgia Tech captured the ACC regular season and will now head in as one of the favorites to win the Tournament.