H*2275(Rat #0043, Act #0020 of 1981)  General Bill, By 
 House Agriculture and Natural Resources
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 50-17-1022 so as to provide for the mesh size of gill nets used in the
 Atlantic Ocean during the open season for shad fishing, to provide penalties
 and provide that possession of freshly caught shad during the closed season
 shall be prima facie evidence of violations.

   01/28/81  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-352
   02/03/81  House  Read second time HJ-457
   02/04/81  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-488
   02/04/81  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-8
   02/04/81  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-8
   03/05/81  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-14
   03/12/81  Senate Read second time SJ-29
   03/17/81  Senate Read third time and enrolled SJ-17
   03/24/81  House  Ratified R 43 HJ-1368
   03/26/81         Signed By Governor
   03/26/81         Effective date 03/26/81
   03/26/81         Act No. 20
   04/06/81         Copies available

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1973, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-1022 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MESH SIZE OF GILL NETS USED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN DURING THE OPEN SEASON FOR SHAD FISHING. TO PROVIDE PENALTIES AND PROVIDE THAT POSSESSION OF FRESHLY CAUGHT SHAD DURING THE CLOSED SEASON SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF VIOLATIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Lawful size for gill nets-penalties

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-17-1022. It shall he unlawful to use or set gill nets having a stretched mesh size between three and one-half inches and ten inches in the Atlantic Ocean From the shoreline seaward to the three mile territorial limit from noon Saturday until noon Monday during the open season for taking shad.

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided in Section 50-17-130. Any nets used in violation of the provisions of this section shall be seized and, upon conviction of the person from whom seized, may either be redeemed by the owner at the retail price set by the Division or sold by the Division at public auction. The possession of freshly caught shad during the closed seasons shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.