South Carolina General Assembly
104th Session, 1981-1982

Bill 2275

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2275
Ratification Number:       43
Act Number                 20
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Lawful size for gill nets-penalties
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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A20, R43, H2275)

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.