Section 27-4-196 - Distribution and transplanting of wild oyster shells and culch material by permittee(a) It shall be unlawful for any permittee authorized pursuant to Code Section 27-4-190 to gather wild oysters for commercial purposes from intertidal water bottoms other than those leased from the state to fail to do one of the following each year: (1) Distribute upon areas designated by the department at least 33 1/3 percent by volume of oyster shells taken by the permittee or taken under authorization by the permittee during the immediately preceding harvest season;(2) Transplant at least such amount by volume of oysters from unapproved growing areas in accordance with the requirements of this article; or(3) Distribute or transplant at least such amount by volume of culch material.(b) It shall be unlawful for any permittee or permittee's authorized agent taking wild oysters from intertidal water bottoms leased from the state to fail to return culch amounts by volume as are specified in the lease agreement.(c) Such shell deposition, oyster transplanting, or deposition of culch material shall be done under the direction or supervision of the department and shall require prior notification to the department of any such proposed action.Amended by 2019 Ga. Laws 217,§ 1, eff. 3/1/2020.