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TO ESTABLISH A MORATORIUM FROM JULY 1, 2003 TO JUNE 30, 2004, LIMITING THE NUMBER OF LICENSES FOR COMMERCIAL BLUE CRAB TRAPS THAT MAY BE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) A moratorium is established on the number of licenses issued for commercial blue crab traps by the Department of Natural Resources. Unless extended, the effective period of the moratorium is July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004.
(B) During the effective period of this moratorium the department may not issue commercial blue crab trap licenses in excess of the number allowed by this joint resolution.
(C) A license may be issued only to a person holding a blue crab trap license during the period beginning July 1, 2002 and ending on the fifth business day after the effective date of this joint resolution.
(D) A person eligible for a license under subsection (C) may not be issued an allowance to use more blue crab traps, including peeler traps, than were licensed to him during the period specified in subsection (C).
SECTION 2. The Department of Natural Resources shall work with the blue crab fishing community of this State during the effective period of this moratorium to examine the feasibility and desirability of limitations on entry into and harvest effort in the commercial blue crab fisheries. If the department determines additional time is necessary or desired to properly involve the blue crab community or to acquire information needed to comply with this joint resolution, the department may declare that the effective period of this moratorium is extended through June 30, 2005.
SECTION 3. The Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a community study as to whether limitations on and management of the blue crab fishing effort are warranted, consider information and input from the blue crab fishing industry and other knowledgeable sources, make findings of fact based on the community study and prepare recommendations as to the institution of limitations on and management of fishing effort in the blue crab fisheries of this State. The department shall present its findings and recommendations to the governing board of the Department of Natural Resources and the General Assembly not later than December 31, 2004.
SECTION 4. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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