Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:421 Primary Sponsor:Drummond Committee Number:20 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Catch limits reduced on certain fish Residing Body:House Computer Document Number:JIC/5054.HC Introduced Date:Jan 09, 1991 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Feb 13, 1991 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Drummond Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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421 House Feb 13, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 20
referred to Committee
421 Senate Feb 13, 1991 Read third time, sent to House
421 Senate Feb 12, 1991 Read second time, notice of
general amendments
421 Senate Feb 07, 1991 Committee Report: Favorable 07
421 Senate Jan 09, 1991 Introduced and read first 07
time, referred to Committee
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COMMITTEE REPORT
February 7, 1991
S. 421
S. Printed 2/7/91--S.
Read the first time January 9, 1991.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 421), to amend Section 50-17-520, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to spotted sea trout, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
JOHN DRUMMOND, for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-520, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SPOTTED SEA TROUT AND RED DRUM, SO AS TO REDUCE THE LEGAL CATCH LIMITS FOR SPOTTED SEA TROUT FROM TWENTY TO TEN A DAY AND FOR RED DRUM FROM TWENTY TO FIVE A DAY, TO EXTEND THE CLOSED SEASON FOR GIGGING FOR THESE FISH BY ONE MONTH, TO PROVIDE A CATCH OR POSSESSION LIMIT OF TWENTY A DAY FOR FLOUNDER, AND TO PROVIDE FOR EMERGENCY REGULATIONS BECAUSE OF NATURAL OR MAN-INDUCED PHENOMENA.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 50-17-520 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 50-17-520. 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 It is unlawful to gig for spotted sea trout or red drum between January December first and March first. It is unlawful for any a person to have in possession any a red drum or spotted sea trout while fishing or transporting any a gill net, seine, or other commercial fishing equipment. Any A 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 A 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 shall 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 a person to take or have in possession more than twenty ten spotted sea trout or twenty five red drum in any one day. It is unlawful for a person to have in possession more than twenty flounder (Paralichthys species) taken by means of gig, spear, hook and line, or similar device 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 Marine Resources Division may promulgate emergency regulations for size and catch limits on red drum, spotted sea trout, and flounder in the event of natural or man-induced phenomena which threaten the future status of the resource.
The penalty penalties for convictions of violations of this section are as provided in Section 50-17-100 and each fish possessed, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or attempted to be purchased in violation of this section is a separate offense."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.