Information

Marine - Shellfish Culture Permits

No permits available at this time.

SCDNR may grant permits to any state resident for the exclusive use of state bottoms or waters for commercial shellfish culture.

A person or entity desiring to acquire a Shellfish Culture Permit for any bottoms or waters must make written application to the department on a form provided by the department.

SCDNR reviews applications and determines whether and to whom to issue a culture permit based on:

and other factors that may be relevant.

These requirements are paraphrased from the SC Code of Laws - The actual code can be found SC Code of Laws, Title 50 Chapter 5 (Article 9, Shellfish).

Culture Permit Areas Available

Applications are now being accepted for the Culture Permit Areas listed below.

Applications must be received by March 5, 2012. A separate application must be submitted for each area of interest.

Applications must be accompanied by a $25 non-refundable application fee.

Application for Shellfish Culture Permit is in the Adobe PDF format. Companies applying for a culture permit must also complete the Company Information for Mariculture/Culture Permits (PDF) form. Successful applicants will be required to complete an Affidavit for Sale of Molluscan Shellfish (PDF) form.

Application forms may also be obtained at these locations:

  1. DNR License Offices (Columbia, Florence and Charleston)
  2. DNR Commercial License Agents (Beaufort, Georgetown and Little River)
  3. DNR Marine Permit Office, 217 Ft. Johnson Rd, Charleston

Maps and additional information may also be obtained by calling the DNR Shellfish Management Section (843) 953-9841 or 953-9391 or the DNR Marine Fisheries Permitting Office (843) 953-9311.

Annual rental fees ($5/acre) and planting quotas (50 bushels/acre) will be based on the listed acreage, which is subject to update annually as new information is received.

Currently Available Permits