summary
Introduced
01/11/2024
01/11/2024
In Committee
04/09/2024
04/09/2024
Crossed Over
04/04/2024
04/04/2024
Passed
Dead
05/09/2024
05/09/2024
Introduced Session
125th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 50-5-400 So As To Establish The Limited Commercial Blue Crab License And The Requirements For Obtaining The License; By Amending Section 50-5-325, Relating To Commercial Equipment Licenses And Fees, So As To Revise The Fee Structure For The Commercial Trap License; By Amending Section 50-5-350, Relating To The Transferability Of Licenses, So As To Exempt The Limited Commercial Blue Crab License From The General Transfer Prohibition; By Amending Section 50-5-360, Relating To Licenses To Engage In Shedding Peeler Crabs, So As To Require That An Applicant's Or Licensee's Business Premises Be Capable Of Peeler Shedding Operations; By Amending Section 50-5-545, Relating To Traps For Taking Blue Crab, So As To Provide For The Material, Dimensions, And Escape Vent Requirements Of The Traps; By Adding Section 50-5-1302 So As To Establish A Recreational Limit Of One-half Bushel Of Blue Crabs Per Person Per Day Not To Exceed One Bushel Per Boat; By Adding Section 50-5-1345 So As To Prohibit The Use Of Crab Traps In The Waters Of This State From January 16 Through January 29 Of Each Year; By Amending Section 50-5-330, Relating To Recreational Equipment Limits, So As To Increase The Number Of Traps That May Be Used For Recreational Purposes From Two To Ten With A Recreational Crab Trap Endorsement; And By Amending Section 50-9-540, Relating To Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licenses So As To Provide For The Cost Of The Recreational Crab Trap Endorsement.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a limited commercial blue crab license in South Carolina and revises various regulations related to the commercial and recreational harvesting of blue crabs. Key provisions include:
- Creating a limited commercial blue crab license with eligibility requirements and a cap on the number of traps that can be used
- Increasing the number of recreational crab traps that can be used from 2 to 10 with a recreational crab trap endorsement
- Establishing a recreational limit of 0.5 bushel of blue crabs per person per day, not to exceed 1 bushel per boat
- Prohibiting the use of crab traps in state waters from January 16 through January 29 each year
- Revising the fee structure for commercial crab trap licenses
- Allowing limited commercial blue crab licenses to be transferred to other individuals
- Requiring peeler crab licensees to have business premises capable of peeler crab shedding operations
- Specifying the material, dimensions, and escape vent requirements for crab traps
The bill aims to better manage the state's blue crab fishery by balancing commercial and recreational interests while also improving conservation efforts.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Debate adjourned (on 05/08/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...