Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3349 Ratification Number:90 Act Number:44 Primary Sponsor:Cork Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Sea trout and red drum Date Bill Passed both Bodies:Apr 17, 1991 Computer Document Number:JIC/5260.HC Governor's Action:S Date of Governor's Action:Apr 29, 1991 Introduced Date:Jan 29, 1991 Date of Last Amendment:Mar 26, 1991 Last History Body:------ Last History Date:Apr 29, 1991 Last History Type:Act No. 44 Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Cork Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
---- ------ ------------ ------------------------------ ---
3349 ------ Apr 29, 1991 Act No. 44
3349 ------ Apr 29, 1991 Signed by Governor
3349 ------ Apr 25, 1991 Ratified R 90
3349 House Apr 17, 1991 Ordered enrolled for
ratification
3349 Senate Apr 16, 1991 Receded from its amendments
3349 House Apr 10, 1991 Non-concurrence in Senate
amendment
3349 Senate Mar 27, 1991 Read third time, returned
with amendment
3349 Senate Mar 26, 1991 Amended, read second time
3349 Senate Mar 21, 1991 Committee Report: Favorable 07
with amendment
3349 Senate Feb 26, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 07
referred to Committee
3349 House Feb 21, 1991 Read third time, sent to
Senate
3349 House Feb 20, 1991 Reconsidered vote whereby
Amendment No. 1 was adopted
February 19
3349 House Feb 20, 1991 Amended, read second time
3349 House Feb 20, 1991 Reconsidered vote whereby
read second time
3349 House Feb 19, 1991 Amended, read second time
3349 House Feb 13, 1991 Committee Report: Favorable 20
3349 House Jan 29, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 20
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A44, R90, H3349)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-520, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SPOTTED SEA TROUT AND RED DRUM, SO AS TO REDUCE THE LEGAL CATCH LIMITS FOR SPOTTED SEA TROUT FROM TWENTY TO FIFTEEN A DAY AND FOR RED DRUM FROM TWENTY TO FIVE A DAY, TO EXTEND THE CLOSED SEASON FOR GIGGING FOR THESE FISH BY ONE MONTH, TO PROVIDE A CATCH OR POSSESSION LIMIT OF TWENTY A DAY FOR FLOUNDER, AND TO PROVIDE FOR EMERGENCY REGULATIONS BECAUSE OF NATURAL OR MAN-INDUCED PHENOMENA.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Catch limits reduced
SECTION 1. Section 50-17-520 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 50-17-520. Spotted sea trout (winter trout), Cynoscion nebulosus, and red drum (channel bass), Sciaenops ocellatus, are game fish. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take either species in the waters of this State, except by cane pole, using hook and line, rod and reel, or by gigging. It is unlawful to gig for spotted sea trout or red drum between December first and March first. It is unlawful for a person to have in possession a red drum or spotted sea trout while fishing or transporting a gill net, seine, or other commercial fishing equipment. A fish of either species caught in the devices must be returned to the water immediately. Bona fide mariculture operations may collect spotted sea trout and red drum with commercial fishing equipment or import either species for brood stock or culture purposes under special permit from the Marine Resources Division.
A wholesale or retail seafood dealer or other business who imports red drum or spotted sea trout from another state or country where the taking and sale of the fish is lawful shall have in possession a bill of sale or other proof of origin for each lot or shipment of the fish received before the fish may be sold. Red drum or spotted sea trout grown in mariculture operations may be sold in this State if the fish are marked and identified properly.
It is unlawful for a person to take or have in possession more than fifteen spotted sea trout or five red drum in any one day. It is unlawful for a person to have in possession more than twenty flounder (Paralichthys species) taken by means of gig, spear, hook and line, or similar device in any one day. The possession limit does not apply to mariculture operations or to the sale of properly identified fish imported by seafood dealers as provided in this section. The species named in this section must be landed with the head and tail fins intact. The Marine Resources Division may promulgate emergency regulations for size and catch limits on red drum, spotted sea trout, and flounder in the event of natural or man-induced phenomena which threaten the future status of the resource.
The penalties for convictions of violations of this section are as provided in Section 50-17-100 and each fish possessed, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or attempted to be 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 29th day of April, 1991.