Current Status Bill Number:3875 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970409 Primary Sponsor:Campsen All Sponsors:Campsen, Loftis, Rodgers, Mack, Young, Woodrum and Limehouse Drafted Document Number:gjk\20466sd.97 Companion Bill Number:668 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Com 20 HANR Subject:Shrimp trawling licenses, Natural Resources Department to limit sale for two-year period; Fish and Game
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19970409 Introduced, read first time, 20 HANR
referred to Committee
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TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO LIMIT THE SALE OF SHRIMP TRAWLING LICENSES FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD AND TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A LIMITED ENTRY FISHERY THEREAFTER.
Whereas, the shrimp trawl fishery is the most important commercial fishery in South Carolina; and
Whereas, there are indications that the commercial shrimp trawl fishery is overcapitalized, that is, that there are more boats in the fishery than necessary to harvest the shrimp crop each year which leads to economic inefficiencies; and
Whereas, a capping of the shrimp trawl fleet size at its current level or a reduction in the size of the fleet would help to stabilize or reduce biological problems resulting from the fishery including the catching of nontarget species and stranding of sea turtles; and
Whereas, members of the General Assembly are concerned about the influx of additional fishermen and boats into the fishery as other types of fisheries are restricted in states along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The Department of Natural Resources, working in cooperation with the South Carolina shrimp trawl industry, is directed to develop a procedure to limit the sale of shrimp trawling licenses to the number sold during 1996 for a period of two years, effective July first of the year of the effective date of this act, with preference for receiving a license going to those residents and nonresidents who held a valid South Carolina trawlers license during the 1996 season.
SECTION 2. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is directed to work closely with the South Carolina shrimp trawl industry to examine the feasibility and desirability of creating a limited entry fishery thereafter.
SECTION 3. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly during its next regular session after this two-year moratorium period.
SECTION 4. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.