(a) Any provision of this title to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who has a sport bait shrimping license may use a power-drawn net in accordance with this Code section, such net not to be larger than a ten-foot net as defined in paragraph (71.1) of Code Section 27-1-2 and to be constructed of mesh not smaller than one inch when stretched, for the purpose of taking shrimp to be used for live bait in this state, provided that the shrimp are not to be sold. In addition to the general provisions of this Code section, the Board of Natural Resources is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations establishing the gear and methods allowed for sport bait shrimping. It shall be unlawful to engage in the taking of shrimp to be so used at any time except between the hours of one-half hour before official sunrise and one-half hour after official sunset. It shall also be unlawful to engage in the taking of shrimp pursuant to this Code section except in those rivers or creeks or portions thereof opened to such taking. The determination of whether to open or close a river or creek or portion thereof shall be made by the commissioner or his or her designee in accordance with current, sound principles of wildlife research and management as provided in Code Section 27-4-130. No person taking shrimp under this subsection shall possess more than two quarts of bait shrimp at any time, no more than one-half pint of which may be dead; but any such person may take a maximum of four quarts of bait shrimp during any 24 hour period. When two or more persons taking shrimp under this subsection occupy the same boat, at least one such person must have a sport bait shrimping license; and there may be no more than four quarts of bait shrimp on board the boat at any time, no more than one pint of which may be dead; but the persons occupying the boat may take a maximum of eight quarts of bait shrimp during any 24 hour period. Possessing or taking more than the limits prescribed in this subsection shall be unlawful. Possessing more than these limits shall be prima-facie evidence that the shrimp were taken for some purpose other than to be used as live bait.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of, for human consumption, any shrimp caught pursuant to this Code section or to possess such shrimp for the purpose of sale or other distribution for human consumption or personally to consume such shrimp. Possession of shrimp with heads off shall be prima-facie evidence that the shrimp are to be sold for human consumption or are personally to be consumed.

(c)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in recreational bait shrimp cast netting to use any cast net other than a recreational bait shrimp cast net as such term is defined in Code Section 27-1-2 and in compliance with Code Section 27-4-13.

(2) The salt waters of the state shall be open to recreational bait shrimp cast netting at any time of the year; provided, however, that any person taking shrimp under this paragraph shall possess no more than two quarts of bait shrimp at any time, all of which may be dead; and provided, further, that any such person may take a maximum of four quarts of bait shrimp during any day. When two or more persons taking shrimp under this subsection occupy the same boat, there may be no more than four quarts of bait shrimp on board the boat at any time, all of which may be dead; and the persons occupying the boat may together take a maximum of eight quarts of bait shrimp during any day.