Bill 2612

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2612
Ratification Number:       167
Act Number:                115
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                        Closed seasons and size limit

(A115, R167, H2612)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-55, SO AS TO PROVIDE CLOSED SEASONS AND SIZE LIMITS IN STATE WATERS FOR SPINY LOBSTER, KING MACKEREL, SPANISH MACKEREL, RED SNAPPER, YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER, BLACK SEA BASS, RED GROUPER, NASSAU GROUPER, AND COBIA WHICH ARE COMPARABLE TO THOSE ESTABLISHED IN THE FISHERY CONSERVATION ZONE BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

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

Open and closed seasons - size limits

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-17-50. (1) It is unlawful to take, have in possession, land, or sell any spiny lobster (Panilurus argus) in the State:

(a) taken or harvested from April first to July twenty-fifth of each year;

(b) of less than three inches carapace length or five and one-half inches tail length;

in the U. S. Fishery Conservation Zone in accordance with federal regulations promulgated under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P. L. 94-265).

(2) It is unlawful to take, catch, have in possession, land or sell any king (Scomberomorus cavalla) or spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) during the times or seasons that are closed to fishing for these species in the U. S. Fishery Conservation Zone under federal regulation promulgated in accordance with the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P. L. 94-265). The provisions of this section apply only to king or spanish mackerel taken by the fishing gear or equipment specified in the same regulations.

(3) It is unlawful to take, catch, have in possession, land or sell any fish of the following species of less than the minimum size limit (and in accordance with any tolerance limits thereof) established by federal regulations under authorization of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P. L. 94-265) as follows: Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) - twelve inches total length; Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) - twelve inches total length; Black sea bass (Centropristes striata) - eight inches total length; Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) - twelve inches total length; Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striata) - twelve inches total length; Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) - twelve inches fork length; and Cobia (Rachycentron candadum) - thirty-three inches fork length.

The species named in this section, with the exception of Spanish mackerel and cobia, must be landed with the head and tail fins intact.

Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.