South Carolina § 50-5-500 - Use of nets; penalties.

§ 50-5-500. Use of nets; penalties.

(A) No net may be used in inshore salt waters except:

(1) trawl nets;

(2) gill nets for shad;

(3) gill and dip nets for herring;

(4) channel nets;

(5) shrimp seines;

(6) cast nets;

(7) drop nets;

(8) dip nets for landing or boating fish;

(9) elver nets; and

(10) gill nets not more than one hundred yards in length with a mesh size no smaller than three inches stretched mesh and up to five and one-half inches stretched mesh in those areas of the inlets, sounds, and bays having direct connection to the ocean and designated by the department.

(B) No net may be used in the Atlantic Ocean except:

(1) shad nets;

(2) sturgeon nets;

(3) trawl nets;

(4) shrimp seines;

(5) cast nets;

(6) drop nets;

(7) dip nets for landing or boating fish;

(8) gill nets not more than one hundred feet in length with a mesh size no smaller than three inches stretched mesh and up to, but not including, four and one-half inches stretched mesh; and

(9) haul seines.

(C) Nothing in this section shall authorize use of a net in a location or at a time otherwise prohibited by law.

(D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, SECTION 3.