A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-2730, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL FISHING REGULATIONS IN STATE WATERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEASON, CATCH LIMITS, AND MINIMUM SIZES FOR CERTAIN SPECIES UNDER THE SNAPPER-GROUPER FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 50-5-2730 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 50-5-2730. (A) Unless otherwise provided by law, any regulations promulgated by the federal government under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (PL 94-265) or the Atlantic Tuna Conservation Act (PL 94-70) which establishes seasons, fishing periods, gear restrictions, sales restrictions, or bag, catch, size, or possession limits on fish are declared to be the law of this State and apply statewide including in state waters.

    (B) This provision does not apply to:

       (1) black sea bass (Centropristis striata) whose lawful catch limit is five fish per person per day or the same as the federal limit for black sea bass, whichever is higher.  The lawful minimum size for black sea bass is thirteen inches total length and there is no closed season;  or

       (2) red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) whose lawful catch limit is two fish per person per day.  The lawful minimum size for red snapper is twenty inches total length and there is no closed season.; or

       (3) all other species under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The lawful catch limits and lawful minimum sizes for those species are the bag limits and size limits, respectively, as published in the 2024-2025 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide. There is no closed season.

 

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

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