A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1507, RELATING TO THE COMMERCIAL FISHING OF HERRING, SO AS TO REVISE THE SEASON FOR THE COMMERCIAL FISHING OF HERRING ON CERTAIN WATERS OF THIS STATE.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 50-5-1507 (c) and (d) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (c) Santee River below Wilson Dam including the Rediversion Canal below St. Stephen Dam, North Santee River and Bay, South Santee River, and all tributaries and distributaries as follows:

       (i) Santee River below the cable and buoys marking the seaward boundary of the Wilson Dam Sanctuary designated by the department seaward to Wilson Dam Boat Landing:

           (1) Season:  February 15 through April 30, for herring only;

           (2) Times:  Sunrise Monday to sunset Thursday, as locally published;

           (3) Methods and equipment:  Cast net and seine net. A seine may not exceed one hundred yards in total length. The mesh of the seine must not be less than one-half inch square. All fish except those used for live bait must be containerized in one bushel units before landing;

           (4) Size and take limits:  Ten U.S. bushels each boat each day including lawful incidental catch;  harvest must not be transferred between boats;  and an additional boat must not be used to increase a person's daily take.

       (ii) Rediversion Canal:

           (1) Season:  March 1February 15 through April 30;

           (2) Times:  7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST, or 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. DST;

           (3) Methods and equipment:  Circular drop nets with a maximum six-foot diameter, lift nets, and cast nets allowed;  other equipment prohibited;  nets must be operated by hand;  trawling prohibited;  culling prohibited;  all fish, except those used for live bait, must be containerized in units of one hundred pounds maximum weight before landing;  all fishing is prohibited within one hundred feet of the fish lift exit channel at St. Stephen Powerhouse, except with hook and line from March 1February 15 through April 1530;

           (4) Size and take limits:  Ten U.S. bushels each boat each day including lawful incidental catch;  harvest must not be transferred between boats;  and an additional boat must not be used to increase a person's daily take.

       (iii) Santee River seaward of Wilson Boat Landing:

       Season:  No open season.

    (d) Charleston Harbor System including Wando River and Cooper River seaward to the U.S. Highway 17 bridges, Charleston Harbor, Ashley River, and all tributaries and distributaries as follows:

       (i) Tailrace Canal from CSX Railroad Bridge to the Jefferies Power Plant Sanctuary line:

           (1) Season:  March 1February 15 through April 30;

           (2) Times:  Sunrise as locally published to 10:00 p.m.;

           (3) Methods and equipment:  Circular drop nets with a maximum six-foot diameter, lift nets, and cast nets allowed;  other equipment prohibited;  nets must be operated by hand;  trawling prohibited;  culling prohibited;  all fish, except those used for live bait, must be containerized in units of one hundred pounds maximum weight before landing;

           (4) Size and take limits:  Ten U.S. bushels each boat each day;  harvest must not be transferred between boats and an additional boat must not be used to increase a person's daily take.

       (ii) Cooper River from CSX Railroad to U.S. Highway 17 bridges:

       Season:  No open season.

       (iii) Charleston Harbor system excluding Tailrace Canal and Cooper River seaward to U.S. Highway 17 bridges:

           (1) Season:  February 15 through April 15;

           (2) Times:  No restrictions;

           (3) Methods and equipment:  Any lawful method and equipment;

           (4) Size and take limits:  No limits.

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

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