Bill 1389

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               1389
Ratification Number:       661
Act Number                 540
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Tarpon are gamefish; limits;
                           penalties

(A540, R661, S1389)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-540 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TARPON ARE GAMEFISH IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE A CATCH OR POSSESSION LIMIT, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

Tarpon are gamefish; limits; penalties

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 50-17-540. Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are gamefish. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take this species in the waters of this State, except by rod and reel, using hook and line. No person may have a tarpon in possession while transporting or using commercial fishing equipment and a tarpon taken by that type equipment must be returned to the water immediately. It is unlawful to buy, sell, or offer for sale a tarpon in this State.

It is unlawful for a person to take or have in possession more than one tarpon in any one day.

The penalty for conviction of violation of this section is as provided in Section 50-17-100, and each fish in possession, sold, offered for sale, or purchased in violation of this section is a separate offense."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 6th day of June, 1990.