S*0392(Rat #0294, Act #0204 of 1987)  General Bill, By J.M. Waddell

Similar(H 2268)
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 50-17-56 so as to designate spotted sea trout and red drum as game fish, to
 regulate their taking and sale, and to provide penalties for violations.

   02/17/87  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-542
   02/17/87  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-542
   02/18/87  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-572
   02/19/87  Senate Read second time SJ-583
   02/24/87  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-634
   02/25/87  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-715
   02/25/87  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources HJ-715
   04/16/87  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Agriculture and Natural Resources HJ-1957
   04/22/87  House  Objection by Rep. Barfield, Holt & Washington HJ-2077
   05/05/87  House  Objection withdrawn by Rep. Barfield & Holt HJ-2427
   05/05/87  House  Debate adjourned until Thursday, May 7, 1987 HJ-2428
   05/07/87  House  Amended HJ-2568
   05/07/87  House  Read second time HJ-2570
   05/12/87  House   Read third time HJ-2624
   05/12/87  House  Returned HJ-2624
   05/19/87  Senate Non-concurrence in House amendment SJ-1958
   05/19/87  House  House insists upon amendment and conference
                     committee appointed Reps. Holt, Pearce &
                     Washington HJ-2885
   05/21/87  Senate Conference committee appointed Sens. Waddell,
                     Drummond, and McConnell SJ-2097
   05/26/87  House   Rep. Pearce resigned as conferee-Rep. Bennett
                     appointe HJ-3133
   05/27/87  House   Rep. Holt resigned as conferee-Rep. Winstead
                     appointed HJ-3256
   06/04/87  Senate Conference report received SJ-2803
   06/04/87  Senate Conference report adopted SJ-2804
   06/04/87  House  Conference report received HJ-3752
   06/04/87  House  Debate interrupted HJ-3753
   06/25/87  House  Conference report adopted
   06/25/87  Senate Ordered enrolled for ratification SJ-2955
   06/25/87         Ratified R 294
   06/30/87         Signed By Governor
   07/23/87         Effective date 06/30/87
   07/23/87         Act No. 204
   07/23/87         Copies available

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-56 SO AS TO DESIGNATE SPOTTED SEA TROUT AND RED DRUM AS GAME FISH, TO REGULATE THEIR TAKING AND SALE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

Spotted sea trout and red drum game fish; taking and sale regulated; penalties

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-17-56. Spotted sea trout (winter trout), Cynoscion nebulosus, and red drum (channel bass), Sciaenops ocellatus, are game fish. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take either species in the waters of this State, except by cane pole, using hook and line, rod and reel, or by gigging. However, it is unlawful to gig for spotted sea trout or red drum between January first and March first. It is unlawful for any person to have in possession any red drum or spotted sea trout while fishing or transporting any gill net, seine, or other commercial fishing equipment. Any fish of either species caught in the devices must be returned to the water immediately.

Bona fide mariculture operations may collect spotted sea trout and red drum with commercial fishing equipment or import either species for brood stock or culture purposes under special permit from the Marine Resources Division.

Any wholesale or retail seafood dealer or other business who imports red drum or spotted sea trout from another state or country where the taking and sale of the fish is lawful must have in possession a bill of sale or other proof of origin for each lot or shipment of the fish received before the fish may be sold. Red drum or spotted sea trout grown in mariculture operations may be sold in this State if the fish are properly marked and identified.

It is unlawful for any person to take or have in possession more than twenty spotted sea trout or twenty red drum in any one day. The possession limit does not apply to mariculture operations or to the sale of properly identified fish imported by seafood dealers as provided in this section. The species named in this section must be landed with the head and tail fins intact.

The penalty for convictions of violations of this section are as provided in Section 50-17-130 and each fish possessed, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or attempted to be purchased in violation of this section is a separate offense."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.