S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-60 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-60
SECTION 50-15-60. Promulgation of regulations.
Status: repealed

The department shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-15-60 was titled Costs of programs; alligator products permits, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 28-734; 1974 (58) 2384; 1988 Act No. 460, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1264; 1994 Act No. 386, SECTION 2; repealed by 2008 Act. No. 179, SECTION 4, eff February 19, 2008. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 159, SECTION 1, substituted "article" for "chapter".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-235 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-235
SECTION 50-18-235. Application and issuance of aquaculture permits; permitted activities; factors considered for issuance; separate facilities; exemptions; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in subsections (F) and (G) a person must first apply for and obtain an annual aquaculture permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources: (1) to engage in commercial aquaculture; (2) to wholesale or retail a live aquaculture product; (3) to engage in aquaculture of an aquatic species not indigenous to this State, subject to the provisions of this title; (4) to engage in aquaculture, possess, or sell an aquatic species solely for the purposes of stocking; (5) to engage in aquaculture of hybrid striped bass; (6) to engage in aquaculture, or possess an aquatic species to provide sport fishing for a fee; (7) to sell or offer for sale annually in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars worth of an aquatic species harvested from a private pond, unless selling to a permitted resident aquaculturist; (8) to import an aquatic species taken and obtained lawfully in the jurisdiction of origin, for use as aquaculture brood stock; (9) to import an aquatic species taken and obtained lawfully in the jurisdiction of origin, for sale for stocking only private waters. (B) The Department of Natural Resources may grant an aquaculture permit and set conditions for aquaculture. (C) In considering issuance of a permit and setting permit conditions, the department must consider scientific and other available information regarding: (1) species to be cultured; (2) protection of ecosystems from detrimental species; (3) protection of critical habitat; (4) protection of water resources; (5) protection of plant and wildlife genetic integrity; (6) disease potential and protection of plant and wildlife health; (7) protection of natural resources from illegal harvesting and commercialization; (8) protection of natural resources from nuisance species; (9) security and welfare of the aquaculture industry of this State. (D) Application for permits must be made on forms prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources, which may require information necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (E) A permit may be granted only after the Department of Natural Resources considers the information specified in this section and determines that the proposed operations would not reasonably be expected to adversely impact the natural resources of the State or security or welfare of the aquaculture industry of this State. A separate application and permit are required for each aquaculture facility. The Department of Natural Resources must consider each facility separately, unless a single state and federal income tax is filed for the operation. The Department of Natural Resources may amend, suspend, or revoke a permit if it determines some aspect of the permitted aquaculture activity adversely impacts the natural resources of the State or the security or welfare of the aquaculture industry of this State. (F) An aquaculture permit is not required to engage in aquaculture of nongame fish, so long as the species cultured is indigenous to the State or already established in the waters of this State. To engage in commercial aquaculture of such fish, a person must first register the aquaculture facility with the department annually and provide the department any information necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (G) An aquaculture permit is not required to wholesale or retail: (1) nongame, indigenous species aquacultured in this State for use as bait, or (2) organisms legally sold in the pet or ornamental trade. (H) A person who fails to acquire a permit or to register a facility as required under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars and not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 50-9-310
SECTION 50-9-310. Program contents.
Status: in_force

The department shall establish programs in instruction on the safe use of firearms and archery tackle for hunting and hunter responsibility. The programs must include, but are not limited to, the selection, training, and certification of instructors, appropriate course materials and content, and criteria for successful course completion. The department shall authorize the issuance of a certificate of completion to persons successfully completing the course.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-20-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Article X / Section 50-20-30
SECTION 50-20-30. Appointment of Administrator; reciprocal recognition of suspension of privileges; regulations; amendment of compact.
Status: in_force

(A) The Director of the Department of Natural Resources shall appoint the Boating Compact Administrator for South Carolina. The Boating Compact Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. (B) The Department of Natural Resources must deny, suspend, or revoke the watercraft operating privileges or watercraft operator's license of any person in this State to the extent that the watercraft operating privileges or the watercraft operator's license have been denied, suspended, or revoked by another compact member under the provisions of this chapter. (C) The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (D) Any proposed amendment to the compact must be submitted to the General Assembly as an amendment to this act. In order to be endorsed by the State of South Carolina as provided by subsection (B) of Article IX of the compact, a proposed amendment to the compact must be enacted into law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-560 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 11 / Section 50-19-560
SECTION 50-19-560. Manner of fishing.
Status: in_force

Fishing permitted along such area, as herein provided, shall only be done by hook or line, which shall include poles, rods and reels and natural or artificial bait.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-730 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-730
SECTION 50-3-730. Source of assets for fund.
Status: in_force

The assets of the fund are derived from: (1) the proceeds of any gifts, grants, and contributions to the State which are designated specifically for inclusion; (2) the proceeds from the sale of all lifetime privileges; (3) any amount in excess of the statutory fee for a particular lifetime license which qualifies as a tax-exempt donation to the State; and (4) other sources specified by law. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in item (2), substituted "privileges" for "combination licenses"; deleted item (3) relating to proceeds from the sale of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses; and redesignated items (4) and (5) as items (3) and (4).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-750 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-750
SECTION 50-5-750. Crab trawling equipment restrictions; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to trawl for crabs with equipment with a mesh of less than four inches stretched, and chafing gear of any sort must not be more than one-half the circumference of the tailbag. 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 five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-4-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 4 / Section 50-4-10
SECTION 50-4-10. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the "South Carolina Solar Habitat Act".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-366 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-366
SECTION 50-5-366. Documents required to be in possession of persons selling shrimp; exceptions; conspiracies; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Between September 1 and December 15 a person or entity who sells or offers for sale shrimp must have in possession dated receipts, bills of sale, or similar documents showing: (1) the name of the licensed wholesale seafood dealer, or the licensed commercial fisherman if the seller is a licensed wholesale seafood dealer, from whom the shrimp were purchased or received; (2) the date on which the shrimp were purchased or received; and (3) the quantity of shrimp purchased or received. (B) Any person or entity violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than five thousand dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months, and the shrimp and its containers must be seized. (C) This section does not apply to a licensed commercial saltwater fisherman: (1) when selling his catch of shrimp to a licensed seafood dealer; or (2) who is a licensed wholesale seafood dealer. (D) Any person or entity who conspires with another to violate this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than two thousand dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for an additional twelve months.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-375 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-375
SECTION 50-5-375. Records of wholesale seafood dealers; inspection by department; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Every wholesale seafood dealer must keep and retain accurate records detailing the information required by the department for a period of not less than one year and shall open the records to the department for inspection upon reasonable demand. (B) Any wholesale seafood dealer who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. The provisions of this section do not supersede or replace any criminal sanctions for defrauding or attempting to defraud this State. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "Every wholesale seafood dealer" for "Every seafood dealer required to be licensed", and in subsection (B), inserted "wholesale" before "seafood dealer" in the first sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1130 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1130
SECTION 50-11-1130. Authorization for landowners to kill raccoons and squirrels destroying crops.
Status: in_force

Raccoons and squirrels may be killed by owners of property from July fifteenth to the regular open season on them if these animals are destroying crops.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-375 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-375
SECTION 50-23-375. Display of number or decal on watercraft or outboard motor other than that for which it was issued.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to display a registration number or a validation decal or an outboard motor title decal or sailboat title decal on any watercraft or outboard motor except on the watercraft or outboard motor for which it was issued.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 13 / Section 50-25-1310
SECTION 50-25-1310. Restrictions on the use of watercraft.
Status: in_force

On Lakes William C. Bowen and H. Taylor Blalock in Spartanburg County: (1) There is established a no wake zone within three hundred feet of all bridges and public docks. No wake zones must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the department. (2) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel may be operated, anchored, moored, docked, or otherwise may enter within five hundred feet of any pump station, water intake of a dam, or hydroelectric generator outfall, or spillway. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. Signs must be designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System. Boats, watercraft, and other vessels operated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, or dam maintenance and repair are exempted from this requirement. (3) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel may operate or anchor within one hundred fifty feet of public fishing piers. (4) No sailing craft with a mast height in excess of thirty feet is permitted to operate. (5) No wading, bathing, or swimming is permitted within two hundred feet of any public landing, bridge, or restricted area. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System. (6) The lake wardens, at their discretion, may limit entrance of boats, watercraft, or any other type of vessel onto the lakes via the public landings when conditions such as overcrowding or adverse weather create an unsafe boating environment. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, rewrote subsections (2), (3), (5), and (6).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1935 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 31 / Section 50-19-1935
SECTION 50-19-1935. Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Natural Resources to monitor bass fishery in Wateree-Santee riverine system.
Status: in_force

The Department of Health and Environmental Control, in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources shall, from the funds appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, monitor the striped bass fishery in the Wateree-Santee riverine system. Both departments shall have oversight responsibility for any studies which may be required as a condition of a DHEC permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-60 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-60
SECTION 50-13-60. Unlawful possession of fish; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to possess more than the legal limit of fish in any one day on the freshwaters of this State. (B) It is unlawful to possess any fish not of legal size. (C) Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to possess any game fish without head and tail fin intact and, where a length limit is imposed on any species, it is unlawful to possess that species without head and tail fin intact. (D) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. Each fish illegally possessed is a separate offense. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-60 was entitled "Department to declare closed season in streams on recommendation of county legislative delegations" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-577; 1952 Code SECTION 28-577; 1942 Code SECTION 1769-1; 1932 Code SECTION 1807; 1931 (37) 340; 1952 (47) 2179; 1955 (49) 463; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, in subsection (C), substituted "Except as otherwise provided, it" for "It".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-320
SECTION 50-23-320. Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) A vessel is not required to be numbered under this chapter if it is: (1) covered by a certificate of number in effect which has been issued to it pursuant to federal law; (2) a federally approved numbering system of another state. However, this vessel must not be held or used in this State for more than sixty consecutive days; (3) from a country other than the United States and temporarily using the waters of this State; (4) a vessel whose owner is the United States except recreational-type vessels; (5) a vessel whose owner is the United States, a state, or political subdivision to a state used for governmental purposes and which is clearly identifiable as such; (6) a vessel's lifeboat if the boat is used solely for lifesaving purposes; (7) a vessel's tender; (8) boats designed, constructed, and used for racing; (9) a vessel belonging to a class of boats which has been exempted from numbering by the department after the department has found that the federal government has exempted the vessel or class of vessels from their numbering provisions or as otherwise permitted by the federal government; (10) documented by the United States Coast Guard or a federal agency successor to it; (11) used under authority of a valid temporary certificate of number issued by the department or its agent; or (12) a sailboat or paddle boat when no propulsion machinery of any description is installed in or attached to the boat. (B) Nothing in this chapter prohibits the numbering of an undocumented vessel upon request by the owner even though the vessel is exempt from the numbering requirements of this chapter. Editor's Note 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2.T, provided for the transfer of the sections from Article 3, Chapter 21 where this section was numbered SECTION 50-21-320. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment created item (2) from the last part of item (1); redesignated items (2) to (5) as items (3) to (6); added items (7) and (8); and redesignated items (7) to (9) as items (10) to (12).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-290 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-290
SECTION 50-23-290. Obtaining clear title to watercraft or outboard motor without proper proof of ownership.
Status: in_force

Any person coming into possession of a watercraft or outboard motor without proper proof of ownership must apply to the department for a title using the form prescribed by the department. The application must be supported by an affidavit setting forth the circumstances under which the watercraft or outboard motor was acquired. The applicant must attempt to notify the last known titled or registered owner and any lienholder of record by certified mail of the application. The applicant must provide the department with proof of mailing. The applicant must publish an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of residence of the last known owner of record for three successive issues. If there is no prior owner of record, the advertisement must be published in the county where acquired. The advertisement must be as prescribed by the department in the application. Proof of advertising must be submitted to the department. Thirty days after the date of the last advertisement if no claim of interest or ownership is made and the item has not been reported stolen, the department shall issue a clear title. If the item is reported stolen, the department shall dispose of the item according to law. If there is a claim of interest adverse to the applicant, the department shall not issue a title until the issue is resolved. The parties may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment rewrote this section which previously provided for issuance of a conditional title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-90 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-90
SECTION 50-21-90. Boating safety and educational program.
Status: in_force

(A) The department must administer a boating safety education course and may approve of additional boating safety education courses. A list of approved courses must be provided on the department's website. (B) The following persons must be issued a South Carolina boating safety certificate in both physical and electronic forms by the department: (1) a person who successfully completes a boating safety education course administered or approved by the department; (2) a person who provides satisfactory proof to the department that the person was issued a boating safety certificate, or an equivalency, by another state; and (3) a person who provides satisfactory proof to the department that the person was issued a license to operate a vessel by the United States Coast Guard or was issued a merchant mariner credential by the United States Coast Guard. (C) The department must approve of one or more boat rental safety education courses to be taken by persons renting a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from businesses engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts. A person who completes a boat rental safety education course approved by the department must be issued a boat rental safety certificate in either electronic or physical form in the person's name. A boat rental safety certificate is valid for thirty days from the date of issuance and only while operating a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from a business engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts. (D) The department must maintain a database of all persons issued a South Carolina boating safety certificate. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 74, SECTION 2, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-580 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 11 / Section 50-19-580
SECTION 50-19-580. Article does not affect operations of Greenwood County Electric Power Commission.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall not affect in any manner the authority of the Greenwood County Electric Power Commission and the acts of the employees, agents, licensees and servants of the Commission in carrying on their duties and responsibilities in connection with the operation of such plant.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1830 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 29 / Section 50-19-1830
SECTION 50-19-1830. Unlawful to hunt or molest waterfowl or nests on certain waters of Wateree Lake.
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or molest in any manner any species of waterfowl or to molest any nests of any waterfowl on the waters of Wateree Lake between the Wateree Dam and Dutchman's Creek in Kershaw County. (2) Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1545 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1545
SECTION 50-5-1545. Removal of nets during off times and periods; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) During times and periods when taking of shad by net is not allowed, any net which could be used for taking shad must be removed from the waters. (B) During times and periods when taking of herring by net is not allowed, any net which could be used for taking herring must be removed from the waters. (C) During times and periods when taking of sturgeon by net is not allowed, any net which could be used for taking sturgeon must be removed from the waters. (D) Any nonmesh, net-related fishing apparatus, including leads, cables, anchors, signs, and buoys must be removed from the waters and banks of the streams or water courses no later than three days after the close of the respective season. Any net or part thereof, including leads, cables, anchors, signs, and buoys found in violation of this section is contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided by law. (E) Anchors with attached line and buoys may remain in lawful waters during weekly closed periods of the open season. (F) A person leaving a net or any part thereof, including any cables, leads, or anchors, in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-500 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-500
SECTION 50-5-500. Use of nets; penalties.
Status: in_force

(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.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-38 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-38
SECTION 50-11-38. Hunting migratory waterfowl on Lake Moultrie.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on Lake Moultrie within two hundred yards of a dwelling without written permission of the owner and occupant. As used in this section, Lake Moultrie means all waters impounded by the Pinopolis Dam, including the Diversion Canal and those waters of the Re-diversion Canal within the Santee Cooper project area. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. Code Commissioner's Note 2012 Act No. 196 added this section as 50-11-38, and 2012 Act No. 219 added this section as 50-11-36. As the text is identical, at the direction of the Code Commissioner the text was classified only to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-850 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 9 / Section 50-21-850
SECTION 50-21-850. Ski belt, life preserver, or similar equipment required; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) No person may water ski or ride on any object being towed by a motorized watercraft unless he is wearing a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V. Each personal flotation device must be fastened properly, in good and serviceable condition, and the proper size for the person wearing it. (B) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this section: (1) participants in scheduled water ski tournaments or shows sponsored by a recognized water ski club; (2) persons holding ratings of first class or higher in the American Water Ski Association; (3) windsurfers, surfboarders, and sailboarders.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-515 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-515
SECTION 50-11-515. Use of wild turkey feathers in art.
Status: in_force

(A) An American Indian artist, who is a member of a tribe recognized by (1) Public Law 101-644, the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act, and (2) the state's Commission on Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40, may use wild turkey feathers in arts and crafts that are offered for sale and sold to the general public if the artist has on his person a tribal identification card demonstrating his authorization pursuant to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act. (B) This section does not authorize the sale of other parts of wild turkeys, whether taken lawfully or unlawfully, including, but not limited to, capes, beards, and fans. Editor's Note Both 2008 acts enacted identical versions of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-500 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 50-15-500
SECTION 50-15-500. Legislative findings; alligator management program.
Status: in_force

(A) The General Assembly finds that the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was reclassified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from endangered or threatened to "threatened due to similarity of appearance throughout the remainder of its range" pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531) and the regulations issued to implement that act. American alligators may now be taken under federal law in compliance with 50 C.F.R. 17.42(a)(2)(ii). Therefore, in order to create more opportunity for hunting and for the controlled harvest of the alligator, the General Assembly finds it in the best interest of the State to allow the taking of the alligator under strictly controlled conditions and circumstances and in compliance with federal law. (B)(1) The department must establish an alligator management program that allows for hunting and for selective removal of alligators in order to provide for the sound management of the animals and to ensure the continued viability of the species. The department must set the conditions for taking, including the size, methods of take, areas, times and seasons, disposition of the parts, and other conditions to properly control the harvest of alligators and the disposition of parts. The department may allow alligators to be taken at any time of the year, in any area, including sanctuaries, as part of its alligator management program. All alligators taken under the alligator management program must be taken pursuant to permits and tags and under conditions established by the department in accordance with state and federal law. All alligators taken must be tagged. Except for those persons operating under authority of depredation permits, a person who hunts, takes, or attempts to take an alligator must have a hunting license. It is unlawful for a depredation permit holder or his or her designee to sell, barter, or trade or offer to sell, barter, or trade the privilege to take an alligator under the authority of a depredation permit. (2) The department may establish an alligator hunting season. The department may issue alligator permits and tags to allow hunting and taking of alligators in any game zone where alligators occur. A person desiring to hunt and take alligators must apply to the department. (3) A landowner or lessee of property on which alligators occur may apply to the department for a permit to participate in the Private Lands Alligator Program. On those private lands, the season for hunting and taking alligators is from September first through May thirty-first. On those lands in the private lands program only, unsecured alligators may be taken by firearms, provided no alligator may be taken by use of rim fire weapons or shotguns. Unsecured alligators may be taken only by firearms from thirty minutes before sunrise until thirty minutes after sunset. A person who takes an alligator by use of firearms must make a reasonable effort to recover the carcass at the time of taking or for the next ensuing forty-eight hours. A person using a firearm to take an alligator must have a gaff or grappling hook or other similar device to immediately locate and recover the carcass. (4) The department may designate alligator control agents who demonstrate by training and experience that they possess the skills to remove alligators. Those persons designated serve at the discretion of the department. The department may require periodic demonstrations of skill or require periodic training. Alligator control agents function under the general guidance and supervision of the department for the capture and removal of nuisance alligators including the disposition of the alligator or its parts. (C) It is unlawful to feed, entice, or molest an alligator except as permitted under state and federal law. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one hundred fifty dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. The magistrates court retains jurisdiction over this offense. (D) A person who hunts or takes an alligator, or allows an alligator to be hunted or taken, or possesses or disposes of alligator parts, except as allowed by this section and the implementing regulations, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. The magistrates court retains jurisdiction over this offense. In addition, the court may order restitution for any animal or part of an animal taken, possessed, or transferred in violation of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-540 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-540
SECTION 50-5-540. Use of seine or gill net in state park; shrimp net exception.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to use a seine or gill net in a lagoon, impoundment, or lake within the boundaries of a state park, except that lawful shrimp seines and cast nets for the taking of shrimp are allowed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-275 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-275
SECTION 50-23-275. Watercraft not previously titled.
Status: in_force

A watercraft not previously required to be titled for which a title is required by this chapter must be titled at the time of renewal of the registration of the watercraft or transfer of the watercraft whichever occurs first. An owner of such a watercraft must secure a title for the watercraft within three years from the effective date of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1102 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 50-5-1102
SECTION 50-5-1102. Persons who may not obtain or hold shrimp baiting license; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) Effective July 1, 2000, the following may not obtain or attempt to obtain a shrimp baiting license: (1) any person who, or officer of a corporation which, owns a vessel specified on a trawl license; (2) any person named as master of a vessel specified on a trawl license application; (3) any person licensed to use a channel net; (4) any person licensed to use a cast net for a commercial purpose; or (5) any person who, or officer of a corporation which, is licensed as a wholesale seafood dealer. (B) No person holding a shrimp baiting license may be a person specified in subsection (A). (C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1260 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1260
SECTION 50-11-1260. Continued release of pen-raised mallards and turkeys pursuant to license in effect as of December 31, 2005.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the limitations of Section 50-11-1250, a shooting preserve operator licensed as of December 31, 2005, to release pen-raised mallards or pen-raised turkeys may continue this privilege. All other provisions of this article shall apply. Once the current shooting preserve operator chooses not to release pen-raised mallards or pen-raised turkeys, the privilege is revoked. If the current shooting preserve operator does not choose to apply for renewal of a shooting preserve license, the privilege is revoked. The current license may not be transferred in any form or manner at any time to anyone. The current license cannot increase or decrease current acreage.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1370 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1370
SECTION 50-11-1370. Commercial quail breeder's license.
Status: in_force

A commercial quail breeder's license first must be obtained from the department. The license may be purchased at any time and is good only for the fiscal year, July first through June thirtieth, in which it is issued. The license fee is five dollars, and each license must be numbered by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1610 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 27 / Section 50-19-1610
SECTION 50-19-1610. Establishment of Catawba Lake Fishing Area.
Status: in_force

That body of backwater lying above the India Hook Dam on the Catawba River in York County, and extending to the North Carolina state line, together with the waters of the streams tributary thereto from the points at which such tributaries empty into the lake to the points where the flow of such streams is normal and the water level not raised by the impounding of the backwaters of the lake, are hereby set apart as the Catawba Lake Fishing Area, such tributary limits to be clearly marked with signs by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-120
SECTION 50-5-120. Boarding of vessel by law enforcement officers; penalty for failure to allow boarding and to cooperate.
Status: in_force

(A) The operator and crew of any watercraft operating in state waters are required to heave to when signaled or hailed, and allow boarding by law enforcement officers or U.S. Coast Guard personnel. (B) The operator, crew, and passengers of any watercraft operating in state waters are required to cooperate with law enforcement officers or U. S. Coast Guard personnel. (C) Any operator, crew member, or passenger, of any watercraft violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-530 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-530
SECTION 50-11-530. Authority to promulgate emergency regulations relating to harvest of wild turkeys in game zones.
Status: in_force

The department may promulgate emergency regulations considered necessary and expedient for the proper control of the harvesting of wild turkeys in the game zones. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 41, SECTION 3, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-275 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-275
SECTION 50-18-275. Freshwater game fish acquired for brood stock.
Status: in_force

Freshwater game fish may be acquired for brood stock for aquaculture from the freshwaters of this State only as allowed by this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-830 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-830
SECTION 50-11-830. Unlawful to sell or have in possession for sale plumage, skin, or body of protected bird.
Status: in_force

No part of the plumage, skin, or body of any bird protected by Section 50-11-820 may be sold or had in possession for sale whether the bird was captured or killed within or without the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-930 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 50-3-930
SECTION 50-3-930. Expenditures; limitations and restrictions.
Status: in_force

The fund constitutes a special trust derived from a contractual relationship between the State and the members of the public whose investments contribute to the fund. In recognition of the special trust, the following limitations and restrictions are placed on expenditures from the fund: (1) Any limitations or restrictions specified by the donors on the uses of the income derived from the gifts, grants, and voluntary contributions are respected but are not binding. (2) After applying income received and accruing from the investments of gifts, grants, and contributions, the board of trustees of the fund may liquidate and expend principal of the fund. (3) The income received and accruing from the investments of the fund must be spent only to acquire additional real property complementary to or protective of the Jocassee Gorges and in furthering the operation and maintenance of the Jocassee Gorges.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-930 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-930
SECTION 50-11-930. Unlawful to trap, hunt, or molest ducks or geese or molest their nest on certain waters or tidelands; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person to trap, hunt, or molest in any manner any species of duck or geese, or to molest any duck or goose nest, on any water or tideland owned by the State within the following boundary: Beginning at the westernmost tip of the Isle of Palms at the base of the bridge across Breach Inlet and running a course of 343 degrees true to a unnamed marsh island; thence following the low-water mark of the unnamed island in a northeasterly direction to the Intracoastal Waterway; thence across the Intracoastal Waterway to the north bank of the intersection of Swinton Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway; thence in a northeasternly direction along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway to Hamlin Creek; thence 300 yards up the west bank of Hamlin Creek; thence across to the east bank of Hamlin Creek and following the creek bank to the westernmost tip of Goat Island at the Intracoastal Waterway; thence running in a northeasternly direction along the high-water mark of Goat Island to a point at latitude 32 degrees 48.5'N. and longitude 79 degrees 45.5'W.; thence running a course of 151 degrees true across the Intracoastal Waterway to the high-water mark of the Isle of Palms; and, thence following the high-water mark of the Isle of Palms to the westernmost tip of the island at the base of the bridge across Breach Inlet. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-40 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-40
SECTION 50-5-40. Unauthorized tagging or marking and releasing of saltwater fish; penalty.
Status: in_force

Unless authorized by the department, no person may tag or mark and release saltwater fish or promote such activity. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, in the first sentence, moved "unless authorized by the department" from the end to the beginning of the sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-770 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-770
SECTION 50-5-770. Shrimp trawl requirements; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A shrimp trawl made in part or in whole of any webbing less than two and one-half inches stretched mesh and exceeding a head rope length of sixteen feet used in the waters of this State must contain one or more department-approved, properly installed bycatch reduction devices. (B) It is unlawful to have on board a vessel or to trawl with any trawl or trawls having a total foot rope length greater than two hundred twenty feet, not including the foot rope length of: (1) a single trawl not greater than sixteen feet when used as a try net, or (2) any trawl bundled and stored below deck or secured in a locked bin or container on deck. (C) When a vessel is underway, this section applies to trawls attached to trawl doors. (D) When a vessel is moored at a dock or anchored, this section applies to trawls attached to trawl doors or hung in the vessel's rigging. (E) The department may exempt trawls utilized by persons holding a valid scientific collection permit granted by the department. (F) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, and any such trawl may be seized. (G) A person who violates subsection (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, and any trawl on board may be seized.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-530 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 11 / Section 50-19-530
SECTION 50-19-530. Fishing beyond fence line.
Status: in_force

No fishing shall be allowed beyond such fence toward the floodgate on the south side of the plant, nor shall any person be allowed beyond this point, either on the land or on the water, by boat or otherwise, except that any person fishing may cast or fish above the fence toward the floodgates of the hydroelectric plant if he does not go beyond the fence line to be established in accordance herewith.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 50-9-510
SECTION 50-9-510. Hunting and fishing licenses.
Status: repealed

(A) For the privilege of hunting: (1) a resident must purchase: (a) an annual statewide hunting license for twelve dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) a three year statewide hunting license for thirty-six dollars, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) a lifetime statewide hunting license for three hundred dollars at designated licensing locations; or (d) any other license which grants statewide hunting privileges; (2) a resident who meets the qualifications as an apprentice hunter must purchase an annual statewide apprentice hunting license for twelve dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (3) a nonresident must purchase: (a) a three day temporary statewide hunting license for forty dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) a ten day temporary statewide hunting license for seventy-five dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) an annual statewide hunting license for one hundred twenty-five dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (d) any other license which grants statewide hunting privileges; (4) a nonresident who meets the qualifications as an apprentice hunter must purchase a three-day temporary statewide apprentice hunting license for fifty dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain. (B) For the privilege of hunting big game: (1) a resident must purchase in addition to the required hunting license: (a) an annual big game permit for six dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) a three year big game permit for eighteen dollars, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (c) any other license which grants big game privileges; (2) a nonresident must purchase in addition to the required hunting license: (a) an annual big game permit for one hundred dollars, two dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (b) any other license which grants big game privileges. (C) For the privilege of hunting on wildlife management areas: (1) a resident must purchase in addition to the required hunting license: (a) an annual wildlife management area permit for thirty dollars and fifty cents, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) a three year wildlife management area permit for ninety-one dollars and fifty cents, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (c) any other license which grants wildlife management area privileges; (2) the department may issue residents temporary wildlife management area permits from the department's designated licensing locations for department specified hunting events for five dollars and fifty cents, fifty cents of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (3) a nonresident must purchase in addition to the required hunting license: (a) a wildlife management area permit for seventy-six dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (b) any other license which grants wildlife management area privileges. (D) For the privilege of hunting migratory game birds, in addition to the required hunting license: (1) a resident must obtain an annual migratory game bird permit at no cost; (2) a nonresident must obtain an annual migratory game bird permit at no cost. Text of (E) effective until December 31, 2027. See, also, text of (E) effective January 1, 2028. (E) For the privilege of hunting migratory waterfowl, in addition to the required hunting license and permits and any required federal stamp or permit: (1) a resident must purchase a migratory waterfowl permit for fifteen dollars and fifty cents, fifty cents of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (2) a nonresident must purchase a migratory waterfowl permit for fifteen dollars and fifty cents, fifty cents of which the issuing sales vendor may retain. Text of (E) effective January 1, 2028. See, also, text of (E) effective until December 31, 2027. (E) For the privilege of hunting migratory waterfowl, in addition to the required hunting license and permits and any required federal stamp or permit: (1) a resident must purchase a migratory waterfowl permit for five dollars and fifty cents, fifty cents of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (2) a nonresident must purchase a migratory waterfowl permit for five dollars and fifty cents, fifty cents of which the issuing sales vendor may retain. (F) For the privilege of hunting only the authorized released species on a licensed shooting preserve, in lieu of a hunting license, an individual may purchase an annual statewide shooting preserve license for eight dollars and fifty cents, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain. Sunset 2022 Act No. 147, SECTION 5, provides: "SECTION 5. The amendments contained in SECTIONS 3 and 4 of this act are repealed on December 31, 2027, and the text of these SECTIONS therefore shall revert back to the language as contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 1, 2020." Editor's Note Prior laws: 1919 (31) 269; 1920 (31) 1117; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 741; 1924 (33) 942; 1927 (35) 277; 1929 (36) 282; 1932 Code SECTIONS 1758, 1759, 1761; 1935 (39) 242; 1936 (39) 1317; 1937 (40) 198, 303, 586; 1938 (40) 1659, 1688, 1763, 1814; 1939 (41) 531; 1942 Code SECTIONS 1767, 1778; 1947 (45) 190; 1952 (47) 2179; 1952 Code SECTION 28-556; 1957 (50) 593; 1962 Code SECTION 28-556; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, SECTION 2; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, SECTIONS 12 to 14, 48; 2000 Act No. 387, Part II, SECTION 26; 2005 Act No. 83, SECTION 1; 2008 Act No. 263, SECTION 2; 2008 Act No. 268, SECTION 2; 2008 Act No. 353, SECTION 2, Pt 8A.1. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment rewrote subsections (A), (B), (C), and (E). 2020 Act No. 155, SECTION 2, in (A)(4), substituted "a three-day temporary" for "an annual" and "fifty dollars" for "one hundred twenty-five dollars". 2022 Act No. 147, SECTION 3, in (E), in (1) and (2), substituted "fifteen dollars" for "five dollars".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-255 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-255
SECTION 50-18-255. Wholesale aquaculture licenses; license year; cost; exemption for individuals holding current aquaculture permits; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) To engage in processing or the wholesale marketing of nonliving aquaculture products, regardless of where cultured, a person must first apply for and obtain an annual wholesale aquaculture license from the department. For purposes of this subsection, a license year is July first through June thirtieth of the following year. (B) A person may acquire an annual wholesale aquaculture license at a cost of one hundred dollars for the year in which issued and twenty-five dollars for each continuous year or part thereof that the license is renewed. A person holding a current aquaculture permit is not required to obtain a wholesale aquaculture license to engage in processing or wholesale or retail marketing of aquaculture products produced under the aquaculture permit. (C) It is unlawful to engage in activities requiring a license under this section without first acquiring a license. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each product sold or offered for sale in violation of this section may constitute a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-400 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-400
SECTION 50-23-400. Notice of change of address.
Status: in_force

Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department in writing within thirty days if his address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and, as part of the notification, shall furnish the department with his new address. Editor's Note 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2T, provided for the transfer of the sections from Article 3, Chapter 21 where this section was numbered as SECTION 50-21-400. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment substituted "thirty days" for "fifteen days" and made nonsubstantive language changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1100 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 50-5-1100
SECTION 50-5-1100. Lawful and unlawful taking of shrimp; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to catch or take shrimp by any means for commercial purposes outside the General Trawling Zone or outside the legal channel net zones as established by the department, other than for sale as live bait, or in or near any waters or bottoms which have been baited by placing, depositing, or scattering any material to attract or lure shrimp toward the bait or to cause shrimp to congregate in the area where the bait is placed. Furthermore, it is unlawful to take or attempt to take shrimp by the use of a shrimp trap or shrimp pot. (B) The department shall establish annually a sixty-day open season between September 1 and November 15 for taking shrimp over baited areas. The sixty days may but are not required to be consecutive. It is unlawful for anyone to take, or attempt to take, shrimp over bait during the closed season for taking shrimp over bait. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to anyone taking or attempting to take shrimp over bait by the use of a drop net from a pier, dock, or other structure permanently affixed to the high land. (C) It is unlawful for a resident or nonresident of this State to take shrimp by cast net over bait during the open season unless he first obtains from the department a shrimp baiting license and associated tags, except that a resident possessing the required license and associated tags, while shrimping from a boat may be assisted in casting by other resident individuals in the boat with him and those individuals are not required to have a license or associated tags. Upon receipt of application and fees, the department shall issue the license along with ten marking device tags bearing the corresponding license number. Each licensee while shrimping over bait shall carry on his person his baiting license and upon demand shall show it to an enforcement officer. (D) It is unlawful for a person to borrow, loan, or exchange a baiting license or tags with another person. In addition to the penalties set forth in this section, he shall forfeit any right to any baiting license and tags issued to him. In addition, he is prohibited from procuring another baiting license and tags for the season for which the baiting license and tags so borrowed, exchanged, or loaned were issued. (E) The fee for a resident shrimp baiting license and associated tags is twenty-five dollars. The fee for the issuance of the nonresident shrimp baiting license and associated tags is five hundred dollars. The department may issue duplicate baiting licenses or tags upon affidavit from the licensee that he has lost his baiting license or tags. The duplicate license or tags must be labeled "Duplicate". The fee for the issuance of a duplicate shrimp baiting license is twenty-five dollars for residents and one hundred dollars for nonresidents. The fee for the issuance of each duplicate tag is one dollar for residents and four dollars for nonresidents. All monies derived from the issuance of all licenses and tags authorized in this section are retained by the department for the purposes of administration and enforcement of this section and article and to conduct an annual survey of the fishery. (F)(1) It is unlawful for a person to catch or take shrimp over a baited area unless each bait deposit is marked by a pole not to exceed one inch in diameter which is driven into the ground and with the department-issued tag securely attached to it. (2) It is unlawful for a person to catch or take shrimp over a baited area unless each pole is plainly marked with reflective tape. (3) There is a ten-pole limit a boat a day. Additional boats in tow may not be used to increase the number of authorized poles. (4) There is a ten-pole limit for each person who is shrimping over a baited area if no boat is being used. (5) If more than one pole is being used, the distance between the first and the last pole may not exceed one hundred yards. (6) The minimum distance between each set of poles may not be less than twenty-five yards. (7) No pole or set of poles may be left unattended, and if the licensee is not located in the immediate vicinity, the poles must be confiscated by the department. (8) The licensee is allowed to shrimp over only those poles bearing his corresponding license number. It is unlawful during the closed season for taking shrimp over bait to have aboard any boat, any poles, or material that can be used to attract, lure, or cause shrimp to congregate. It is unlawful to set poles within fifty yards of a dock or public landing or boat ramp. Nothing in this subsection prevents the owner of a private dock or anyone with his written permission from taking shrimp over bait from the dock as long as the department-issued license tag is clearly displayed upon the dock in lieu of the pole required in this section. (G) The provisions of subsection (F) do not apply to anyone taking or attempting to take shrimp by the use of a drop net over bait from a pier, dock, or other structure permanently affixed to the high land. (H) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars and not more than five thousand dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than thirty days and the shrimp baiting privilege must be suspended for two years. The boat, motor, trailer, rigging, coolers, nets, fishing devices, and catch are contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. (I) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and the boat, motor, trailer, rigging, coolers, fishing devices, and catch are contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. In addition, his privilege to catch shrimp over bait will be suspended for a period of two years from the date of conviction. (J) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (C) or (D) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and the catch is contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. A person who violates subsection (C) or (D) for a second or subsequent offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and the boat, motor, trailer, rigging, coolers, fishing devices, and catch are contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. (K) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (F) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars, and the catch is contraband and may be seized and if seized must be disposed of as provided in this chapter. (L) Each quart of shrimp taken in violation of the provisions of this section is a separate offense. (M) No part of the minimum fines provided in this section may be suspended.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-15 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 50-9-15
SECTION 50-9-15. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this title: (1) "License sales vendor" means a business, not for profit entity, or unit of state or local government that has entered into an agreement with the department to offer for sale hunting and fishing licenses. (2) "License year" means the period beginning July first and ending June thirtieth.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-565 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-565
SECTION 50-11-565. Archery equipment defined.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, archery equipment means a bow and arrow, a long bow, a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a crossbow. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2480 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2480
SECTION 50-11-2480. Persons not required to obtain fur buyer's license.
Status: in_force

The following persons are not required to obtain a fur buyer's license: (1) a person who acquires not more than five furs, pelts, hides, or whole animals for his own personal use during one season and not for barter, exchange, or sale; (2) a person licensed as a fur processor; (3) a taxidermist who possesses a fur, pelt, hide, or whole furbearing animal legally owned by another person which he is holding temporarily solely for the purposes of processing; (4) a person acquiring furbearing animal carcasses without hides; (5) an owner or enclosure operator of a permitted fox and coyote hunting enclosure who purchases live foxes or coyotes for release into the enclosure.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1630 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 11 / Section 50-13-1630
SECTION 50-13-1630. Importing, possessing, or selling certain fish unlawful; special permits for research; Department to issue rules and regulations; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A person may not possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring, cause to be brought or imported into this State, or release in this State the following species at any stage of its life cycle: (1) carnero or candiru catfish (Vandellia cirrhosa); (2) freshwater electric eel (Electrophorus electricus); (3) white amur or grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella); (4) walking catfish or a member of the clariidae family (Clarias, Heteropneustea, Gymnallabes, Channallabes, or Heterobranchus genera); (5) piranha (all members of Serrasalmus, Rooseveltiella, and Pygocentrus genera); (6) stickleback; (7) Mexican banded tetra; (8) sea lamprey; (9) rudd (Scardinius erythrophtalmu-Linneaus); (10) snakehead (all members of family Channidae); (11) rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus); and (12) other nonindigenous species not established, except by permit, exclusive of the recognized pet trade species. (B) The department may issue special import permits to qualified persons for research and education only. (C)(1) The department may issue permits for the release or the stocking of sterile white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrids in this State. The permits must certify that the permittee's white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrids have been tested and determined to be sterile. The department may charge a testing fee of one dollar for each white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrid that measures five inches or longer or twenty-five cents for each white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrid that measures less than five inches. The fee collected for sterility testing must be retained by the department and used to offset the costs of the testing. (2) The department is authorized to promulgate regulations to establish a fee schedule to replace the fee schedule contained in item (1) of this subsection. Upon these regulations taking effect, the fee schedule contained in item (1) of this subsection no longer applies. (D) The department may issue permits for the importation, breeding, and possession of nonsterile white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrids. The permits must be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Aquaculture Enabling Act in Article 2, Chapter 18 of this title. Provided, however, that no white amur, grass carp, or grass carp hybrids imported, bred, or possessed pursuant to this subsection may be stocked in this State except as provided in subsection (C) of this section. (E) It is unlawful to take, harm, or kill grass carp from public waters. Any grass carp taken must be returned immediately to the water from which it was taken. (F) The department shall prescribe the qualifications, methods, controls, and restrictions required of a person or his agent to whom a permit is issued. The department shall condition all permits issued under this section to safeguard public safety and welfare and to prevent the introduction into the wild or release of nonnative species of fish or other organisms into this State. The department may promulgate regulations necessary to effectuate this section and specifically to prohibit additional species of fish from being imported, possessed, or sold in this State when the department determines the species of fish are potentially dangerous. A violation of the terms of the permit may result in revocation and a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars. An appeal is pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, Chapter 23, Title 1 (the Administrative Procedures Act). (G) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days, or both. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in subsection (C), designated paragraph (1) and in the first sentence substituted "sterile" for "nonreproducing" and added the second to fourth sentences and paragraph (2); added subsection (D); and redesignated subsections (D) and (E) as subsections (E) and (F). The 2012 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "anywhere in" for "into the waters of", and "species at any stage of its life cycle" for "fish or eggs of the fish"; added subsections (A)(11) and (A)(12); in subsection (C)(1) substituted "permits" for "special permits"; rewrote subsections (D), (E) and (F); added subsection (G); and made other nonsubstantive changes. 2016 Act No. 169, SECTIONS 1, 2, in (A), deleted "or" before "cause to be brought", added a comma following "into this State" and deleted "anywhere" before "in this State"; in (C), substituted "the release or the stocking of" for "stocking" in the first sentence, inserted "testing" before "fee" in the third sentence; in (C) and (D), inserted "grass carp" throughout; and in (F), substituted "to prevent" for "prevent", and "into this State" for "into the waters of this State" in the second sentence, and substituted "Article 3" for "Article 2" in the last sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1310
SECTION 50-11-1310. Permit to operate quail call pen trap.
Status: in_force

A licensed shooting preserve operator may apply to the department for a permit to operate a quail call pen trap during the shooting preserve season for the purpose of recovering any quail that are not killed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-100 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-100
SECTION 50-5-100. Knowingly obtaining saltwater fishery product taken or sold unlawfully.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person knowingly to obtain or to attempt to obtain a saltwater fishery product taken, produced, cultured, or sold unlawfully.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1160 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1160
SECTION 50-11-1160. Authority of certain Federal employees to trap predatory animals.
Status: in_force

The employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and those employees of the United States or the agencies thereof in charge of any national park, game reserve, or game refuge also have the right to trap predatory animals within the confines of such national park, game reserve, or game refuge.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2400 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2400
SECTION 50-11-2400. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this article: (a) "Fur bearing animal" includes red and gray fox, coyote, raccoon, opossum, muskrat, mink, skunk, otter, bobcat, weasel, or beaver. (b) "Fur buyer" means any person who purchases any whole fur bearing animal, raw or green furs, pelts, or hides. (c) "Take" means to shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect. (d) "Commercial purposes" means taking or possessing any fur, pelt, hide, or whole animal for exchange, sale, trade, or barter and taking or possessing more than five furs, pelts, hides, or whole animals. (e) "Trapper" means any person who takes or attempts to take animals by trapping. (f) "Trap" means any device, other than a weapon, designed or constructed for taking animals. (g) "Foot-hold trap" means a steel-jawed, spring-loaded device designed to capture the animal by the foot. (h) "Live trap" means any box or cage designed for capturing and holding any animal unharmed. (i) "Processor" means any person engaged in tanning or dressing furs, pelts, or hides of fur bearing animals for commercial purposes. (j) "Transfer" includes selling, bartering, exchanging, and transporting. (k) "Owner" means an individual or entity that owns property or equipment. (l) "Agent" means an individual or entity appointed by the owner to act in his place. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment inserted "coyote," in item (a); removed "is taking for commercial purposes" from item (d); added items (k) and (l); and made other nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1520 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1520
SECTION 50-5-1520. Herring catch limits.
Status: in_force

A person not licensed as a commercial saltwater fisherman taking or attempting to take herring by cast net or by hook and line, including rod and reel, may take or possess no more than an aggregate of one bushel of herring in any one day. In freshwaters, a person must hold a freshwater fishing license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-70 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-70
SECTION 50-5-70. Sale of confiscated device; redemption by owner.
Status: in_force

The department shall sell any confiscated device not used or destroyed by the department at public auction for cash to the highest bidder in the county where it was seized, after having given ten days' public notice of the sale. When the device is of greater value than one thousand dollars, the owner may at any time before sale redeem it by paying to the department one thousand dollars. When the device is of lesser value than one thousand dollars, the owner may at any time before the sale redeem it by paying to the department the retail market value.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-270 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 2 / Section 50-13-270
SECTION 50-13-270. Season for unlawful possession of lure or bait in certain waters.
Status: in_force

(A) From November first through May fourteenth inclusive, it is unlawful to use or possess any lure or bait except single hook artificial lures in the following waters; (1) that portion of the Chattooga River beginning at S.C. State Highway 28 upstream to its confluence with Reed Creek (Rabun County, GA ); (2) that portion of Cheohee Creek that runs through the Piedmont Forestry Center; (3) Devils Fork Creek; Howard Creek from its confluence with Corbin Creek upstream to its confluence with Limberpole Creek; and Corbin Creek upstream from its confluence with Howard Creek to S.C. State Highway S-37-130 (Whitewater Road) in Oconee County; (4) Chauga River from S.C. State Highway S-37-290 (Cassidy Bridge Road) upstream to its confluence with Bone Camp Creek in Oconee County; and (5) Eastatoe River from the backwaters of Lake Keowee upstream to S.C. State Highway S-39-143 (Roy Jones Road) in Pickens County. (B) It is unlawful to use or possess any lure or bait except artificial lures in the following waters: (1) Whitewater River; (2) Matthews Creek from Asbury Drive Bridge at Asbury Methodist Camp upstream including all tributaries and headwaters; (3) Middle Saluda River from the foot bridge at Jones Gap Natural Area Office upstream to U.S. Highway 176 in Greenville County; and (4) Eastatoe Creek on Eastatoe Heritage Preserve in Pickens County. (C) It is unlawful to use or possess corn, cheese, fish eggs, or imitations of them on Lake Jocassee. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-270 was entitled "Creel limits not applicable to private ponds" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-594.3; 1959 (51) 296; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, in subsection (B)(4), substituted "Eastatoe Creek" for "Eastatoe River".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-10
SECTION 50-1-10. Wild birds, wild game, and fish are property of State.
Status: in_force

All wild birds, wild game, and fish, except fish in strictly private ponds and lakes and lakes entirely segregated from other waters or held and grown in bonafide aquaculture operations are the property of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1920 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1920
SECTION 50-11-1920. Sale of exotic farm-raised venison; permits; inspection of premises and records; violations; punishment.
Status: in_force

(A) The proprietor of a permitted food service establishment may purchase and sell exotic farm-raised venison which is processed through an official establishment, certified by the State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission or the United States Department of Agriculture. The food service establishment first must obtain a permit from the department, at no cost, and must maintain adequate records to provide department personnel, law enforcement officers, and other food service inspectors information as to the source of the venison. The premises of the permitted food service establishment must be open for inspection by enforcement officers, department personnel, and food service inspectors at reasonable times or whenever employees are present. (B) The owner of a permitted food service establishment is responsible for compliance with the terms of the permit and with this section. If the food service establishment or its employees violate the terms of the permit or this section, the permit is invalid, and the owner of the food service establishment is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (C) An official establishment or a wholesale food distributor may obtain a permit, at no cost, to buy and sell exotic farm-raised venison to a permitted food service establishment. A permittee must maintain adequate records to provide department personnel, law enforcement officers, and other food service inspectors information as to the source of the venison. The premises must be open for inspection at reasonable times or whenever employees are present. If the permittee or its employees violate the terms of the permit or this section, the permit is invalid, and the permittee is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (D) The sale of whitetail deer, wild or farm raised, is prohibited. (E) The Department of Natural Resources may promulgate regulations to enforce the provisions of this section. (F) The provisions of this section do not apply to the sale or purchase of exotic farm-raised venison products that are fully cooked or preserved in a manner allowing for human consumption with no further preparation. Any product offered pursuant to this paragraph must bear official marks of inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture or the State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission. Official marks of inspection must be maintained on the product or product package until removed by the consumer. Any product offered pursuant to this paragraph must be referred to as being from exotic farm-raised venison or similar designation indicating the origin of the product. (G) The provisions of this section also do not apply to the sale or purchase of already processed and packaged pet foods or pet treats containing imported exotic farm-raised venison. Any product offered pursuant to this subsection must have an official product registration issued by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Any product offered pursuant to this subsection also must be referred to as being from exotic farm-raised venison or with a similar designation indicating the origin of the product. (H) The provisions of this section do not apply to the retail sale of white-tailed deer organ meat, packaged as pet treats, by official establishments certified by the State Livestock-Poultry Health Division, Clemson University, or the United States Department of Agriculture. The official establishment first must obtain an annual permit from the department, at no cost. For the purposes of this subsection organ meat is defined as white-tailed deer heart, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen. Any product offered for sale pursuant to this subsection must bear the name of the official establishment and have an official product registration as required by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment add subsection (G) relating to pet foods or treats containing imported exotic farm-raised venison. 2024 Act No. 118, SECTION 1, added (H).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-35 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-35
SECTION 50-23-35. Watercraft title issuance; tax payment proof required; exceptions.
Status: repealed

(A) No title for a watercraft or outboard motor may be issued by the department if currently titled in this State or titled or registered in another state unless it is accompanied by a receipt from the applicant's appropriate county official stating payment of ad valorem taxes due for the tax year in which the ownership was initiated has been paid. Applications submitted more than one year after ownership was initiated must be accompanied by paid tax receipts for all subsequent years up to the date the application was accepted by the department. (B) A title for a watercraft or outboard motor sold by a permitted marine dealer is exempt from the requirement for a paid tax receipt and may be titled by the department without the receipt indicating ad valorem taxes have been paid. The department must transmit daily a list of the titles and certificates of registration issued under this exemption to the respective county official for collection of ad valorem taxes. (C) No receipt is required for a watercraft or outboard motor designated as exempt from ad valorem taxes by the appropriate county official, provided that each county makes such a determination when a watercraft or outboard motor is titled in their respective county. SECTIONS 50-23-40, 50-23-50. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 344, SECTION 30, eff 6 months after approval (approved June 11, 2008). Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-23-40 was entitled "Sale or purchase without certificate of title prohibited" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 70-295.104; 1971 (57) 915; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1270. Former SECTION 50-23-50 was entitled "Certificate as prerequisite to acquisition of right or title; recognition of right or title by courts" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 70-295.105; 1971 (57) 915; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1270.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-950 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-950
SECTION 50-11-950. Certain lands owned by Brookgreen Gardens declared wildlife sanctuary.
Status: in_force

The lands owned by Brookgreen Gardens, as an eleemosynary corporation for southeastern flora and fauna, in Georgetown County and all streams, creeks, and waters, fresh, salt or mixed, entering into the lands are established as a sanctuary for the protection of game, other birds, and animals, and any hunting, shooting, fishing, or trespassing on the lands or waters is prohibited, except such hunting and shooting as may be carried on by permission of the trustees of Brookgreen Gardens, granted at an annual meeting of the trustees. Permission for hunting and shooting is not granted by the trustees unless it is apparent to them that there is an excess of deer or other game which may cause damage to the gardens or other property owned by the trustees. The public is allowed to fish in the Atlantic Ocean from the beaches of the area and in the saltwater creeks entering into it, under such regulations as may be promulgated by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism having due regard for the safety of bathers and convenience of other users of the park. The trustees of the Brookgreen Gardens Corporation or the State Commission of Forestry shall post signs along the outer boundaries of the land and at the mouths of all streams and creeks notifying the public that the area is a sanctuary and closed to hunting and fishing, except as authorized by the terms of this section. Nothing herein abridges or curtails the rights of the department to control and permit the oyster bottoms in the area under its jurisdiction. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not exceeding thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-705 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-705
SECTION 50-5-705. Trawling Zone established.
Status: in_force

The following General Trawling Zone is established: Based on National Ocean Service (NOS) chart 11513 (22nd edition, July 12, 1997), that area seaward of a line, termed the inshore trawl boundary, beginning at the point of intersection of the north jetty (Oyster Bed Island Training Wall) of the Savannah River and the shoreline ("shoreline" herein defined as the line of Mean High Water) of Oyster Bed Island at latitude 32° 02.35' N, longitude 080° 53.05' W; thence following the shoreline of Oyster Bed Island to the point at the mouth of the Wright River at latitude 32° 02.92' N, longitude 080° 54.62' W; thence following a straight line northeasterly to the southernmost point of Turtle Island at latitude 32° 03.08' N, longitude 080° 54.42' W; thence following the shoreline of Turtle Island to the point at the mouth of the New River at latitude 32° 04.80' N, longitude 080° 52.97' W; thence following a straight line easterly to the southernmost point of Daufuskie Island (Bloody Point) at latitude 32° 04.92' N, longitude 080° 52.60' W; thence following the shoreline of Daufuskie Island to the point at latitude 32° 07.30' N, longitude 080° 50.40' W; thence following a straight line easterly across Calibogue Sound to the point on Hilton Head Island at latitude 32° 07.30' N, longitude 080° 49.50' W; thence following the shoreline of Hilton Head Island and crossing the mouths of Folly and Coggin Creeks to the northernmost point of Hilton Head Island at latitude 32° 16.26' N, longitude 080° 43.72' W; thence following a straight line westerly to a green square beacon marked "5" at latitude 32° 16.10' N, longitude 080° 44.14' W; thence following a straight line northerly to a red triangular beacon marked "4" at latitude 32° 16.38' N, longitude 080° 44.14' W; thence following a straight line easterly to a red nun or conical buoy marked "2" at latitude 32° 16.40' N, longitude 080° 42.40' W; thence following a straight line easterly to the point on Parris Island Spit at latitude 32° 16.72' N, longitude 080° 40.00' W (approximate location of flashing red day marker No. 246); thence following a straight line easterly to a red nun or conical buoy marked "26" at the mouth of the Beaufort River at latitude 32° 16.75' N, longitude 080° 39.20' W; thence following a straight line easterly to the point at the mouth of Station Creek at latitude 32° 16.72' N, longitude 080° 38.55' W; thence following the shorelines of Bay Point and St. Phillips Islands and crossing the mouth of Morse Island Creek to the point on St. Phillips Island at latitude 32° 17.00' N, longitude 080° 35.30' W; thence following a straight line easterly across Trenchards Inlet to the point at latitude 32° 17.00' N, longitude 080° 34.75' W; thence following the shorelines of Capers and Pritchards Islands and crossing the mouths of Capers, Pritchards, and Skull Inlets to the southernmost point of Fripp Island at latitude 32° 18.40' N, longitude 080° 30.05' W; thence following the shoreline of Fripp Island to its easternmost point at latitude 32° 19.35' N, longitude 080° 27.18' W; thence following a straight line northerly across Fripp Inlet to the southernmost point of Hunting Island at latitude 32° 20.32' N, longitude 080° 27.28' W; thence following the shoreline of Hunting Island to its northernmost point at the mouth of Johnson Creek at latitude 32° 23.50' N, longitude 080° 25.80' W; thence following a straight line northerly to the point on Harbor Island at latitude 32° 24.10' N, longitude 080° 25.63' W; thence following the shoreline of Harbor Island to the eastern end of the U.S. Highway 21 swing bridge at Harbor River at latitude 32° 24. 20' N, longitude 080° 27.00' W; thence to the center of the swing span of the bridge at latitude 32° 24.26' N, longitude 080° 27.16' W; thence following a straight line northerly to the beacon on Combahee Bank at latitude 32° 28.07' N, longitude 080° 26.06' W; thence, based on NOS chart 11521 (22nd edition, January 20, 1996), following a straight line northeasterly to the point on Otter Island at the mouth of the Ashepoo River at latitude 32° 29.25' N, longitude 080° 25.15' W; thence following the shoreline of Otter Island to the point at the mouth of Fish Creek at latitude 32° 29.00' N, longitude 080° 23.24' W; thence following a straight line easterly across the South Edisto River to the southernmost point (Bay Point) of Edisto Beach at latitude 32° 28.66' N, longitude 080° 20.18' W; thence following the shorelines of Edisto and Edingsville Beaches and Botany Bay Island and crossing the mouths of Jeremy, Frampton, and Townsend Inlets to the point on Botany Bay Island at latitude 32° 33.50' N, longitude 080° 12.00' W; thence following a straight line easterly across the North Edisto River to the southernmost point on Seabrook Island at latitude 32° 33.55' N, longitude 080° 10.50' W; thence following the shorelines of Seabrook and Kiawah Islands and crossing the mouth of Captain Sams Inlet to the point on Kiawah Island (Sandy Point) at latitude 32° 37.18' N, longitude 079° 59.65' W; thence following a straight line northeasterly across Stono Inlet to the southernmost point of Folly Island at latitude 32° 38.40' N, longitude 079° 58.36' W; thence following the shoreline of Folly Island to its easternmost point at latitude 32° 41.10' N, longitude 079° 53.17' W; thence following a straight line northerly across Lighthouse Inlet to the Morris Island lighthouse (abandoned) at latitude 32° 41.70' N, longitude 079° 53.03' W; thence following a straight line on a geodetic azimuth of 285 degrees to the shoreline of Morris Island; thence following the shoreline of Morris Island northerly to its point of intersection with the south jetty for Charleston Harbor at latitude 32° 43.91' N, longitude 079° 52.18' W; thence following the submerged jetty easterly to the point where its emergent portion begins at latitude 32° 43.85' N, longitude 079° 50.92' W; thence following a straight line northeasterly across the Charleston Harbor channel to the point where the emergent north jetty begins at latitude 32° 44.57' N, longitude 079° 50.00' W; thence following the submerged north jetty northerly to its point of intersection with Sullivans Island at latitude 32° 45.46' N, longitude 079° 50.40' W; thence following the shoreline of Sullivans Island, the seaward edge of the Breach Inlet bridge, and the shoreline of the Isle of Palms to its easternmost point at latitude 32° 48.90' N, longitude 079° 43.09' W; thence following a straight line northerly across Dewees Inlet to the point on Dewees Island at latitude 32° 49.65' N, longitude 079° 43.27' W; thence following the shoreline of Dewees Island to the point at latitude 32° 50.70' N, longitude 079° 42.03' W; thence following a straight line northerly across Capers Inlet to the southernmost point of Capers Island at latitude 32° 51.10' N, longitude 079° 41.87' W; thence following the shoreline of Capers Island to the point at latitude 32° 52.57' N, longitude 079° 39.30' W; thence following a straight line easterly across Price Inlet to the southernmost point of Bull Island at latitude 32° 52.57' N, longitude 079° 38.95' W; thence, based on NOS chart 11531 (19th edition, April 19, 1997), following the shoreline of Bull Island to its northernmost point at latitude 32° 55.98' N, longitude 079° 34.48' W; thence following a straight line northeasterly to the point at latitude 33° 00.38' N, longitude 079° 29. 43' W; thence following a straight line in a northeasterly direction along Raccoon Key, thence crossing the mouth of Raccoon Creek to the point at latitude 33° 01.00' N, longitude 079° 25.25' W; thence following a straight line easterly across Key Inlet to the point of Cape Island at latitude 33° 00.46' N, longitude 079° 24.49' W; thence following the shoreline of Cape Island to the point at latitude 33° 00.61' N, longitude 079° 21.90' W (accretion in this area not shown on the nautical chart); thence following a straight line northeasterly to the point at latitude 33° 02.21' N, longitude 079° 21.04' W, thence following a straight line northeasterly across Cape Romain Harbor to the point on Murphy Island at latitude 33° 05.46' N, longitude 079° 19.72' W; thence following the shoreline of Murphy Island northeasterly to the point at latitude 33° 07.00' N, longitude 079° 16.97' W; thence following a straight line easterly across the South Santee River to the southwesternmost point of Cedar Island at latitude 33° 07.00' N, longitude 079° 16.58' W; thence following the shoreline of Cedar Island to the point at latitude 33° 08.36' N, longitude 079° 14.71' W; thence, based on NOS chart 11532 (18th edition, June 1, 1996), following a straight line northerly across the North Santee River to the southernmost point of Cane Island at latitude 33° 08.92' N, longitude 079° 14.92' W; thence following the eastern shoreline of Cane Island and crossing the mouth of an unnamed creek to the easternmost point of Crow Island at latitude 33° 10.04' N, longitude 079° 15.34' W; thence following a straight line northeasterly across North Santee Bay to the point on South Island at the south side of the mouth of Beach Creek at latitude 33° 10.43' N, longitude 079° 14.60' W; thence following the shoreline of South Island to its southernmost point (Santee Point) at latitude 33° 08.06' N, longitude 079° 14.38' W; thence following the shorelines of South and Sand Islands to the point of intersection with the south jetty for Winyah Bay at latitude 33° 11.43' N, longitude 079° 11.00' W; thence following the shorelines of Sand and South Islands to the point on South Island at latitude 33° 13.82' N, longitude 079° 12.16' W; thence following a straight line easterly passing approximately through the charted positions of a green light buoy marked "15" and a red nun or conical buoy marked "16" to the point on North Island at latitude 33° 14. 00' N, longitude 079° 11.32' W; thence following the shoreline of North Island southerly and easterly to its intersection with the north jetty for Winyah Bay at latitude 33° 12.53' N, longitude 079° 10.43' W; thence, based on NOS chart 11535 (11th edition, April 18, 1992), following the shoreline of North Island to the point at latitude 33° 19.03' N, longitude 079° 09.57' W; thence following a straight line northerly across North Inlet to the point on the south end of Debidue DeBordieu Island at latitude 33° 19.98' N, longitude 079° 09.60' W; thence following the shorelines of Debidue DeBordieu Island, Pawley's Island, Litchfield Beach, and Magnolia Beach and crossing the mouths of Pawley's Inlet and Midway Inlet to the point on the south jetty for Murrells Inlet at latitude 33° 31.60' N, longitude 079° 01.90' W; thence following a straight line northerly across Murrells Inlet to the point of intersection with the north jetty at latitude 33° 31.96' N, longitude 079° 01.77' W; thence following the shoreline northeasterly and crossing the mouths of Singleton Swash, White Point Swash, and Hog Inlet to the point of intersection with the south jetty for Little River on the eastern end of Waites Island at latitude 33° 50.91' N, longitude 078° 33.21' W; thence following a straight line easterly across Little River Inlet to the point on the north jetty on Bird Island at latitude 33° 50.97' N, longitude 078° 32.62' W; thence following the shoreline of Bird Island to its intersection with the South Carolina-North Carolina boundary line at latitude 33° 51.09' N, longitude 078° 32.50' W. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment revised the boundaries of certain trawling zones.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-170 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-170
SECTION 50-23-170. Serial number or hull identification number.
Status: in_force

(A) If a watercraft contains a permanent identification number placed on it by the manufacturer, the manufacturer's serial number must be used as the builder's hull number. If there is no manufacturer's serial number, if the manufacturer's serial number has been removed or obliterated, or if the watercraft is homemade, the department, upon application, shall assign a permanent identification number which must be used as the builder's hull number for the watercraft. This assigned number must be affixed permanently to or imprinted by the applicant at the place and in the manner designated by the department upon the watercraft for which the builder's hull number is assigned. "Homemade watercraft or outboard motor" means a watercraft or outboard motor which is built by an individual for personal use from raw materials which does not require the assignment of a federal hull identification number or serial number by a manufacturer pursuant to federal law. An individual may build or furnish raw materials to a builder under a contract to build a homemade watercraft or outboard motor to desired specifications. A copy of the contract, specifications, and bill of sale for raw materials must accompany registration and title application. The person furnishing materials under a contract may be considered the builder. A rebuilt or reconstituted watercraft or outboard motor must not be construed to be homemade. Every homemade watercraft must be certified as meeting safety standards of the United States Coast Guard before it can be sold by the builder. Certification must be furnished to the purchaser and a copy accompany applications for transfer to the department. (B) Every outboard motor must have a permanent identification number placed on it in at least two locations by the manufacturer. This number must be used as the serial number. If there is no manufacturer's serial number or if the manufacturer's serial number has been removed for a valid reason or obliterated, the department, upon a prescribed application, may assign a serial number for the outboard motor. This assigned serial number must be affixed permanently to or imprinted by the applicant at the place and in the manner designated by the department upon the outboard motor for which the serial number is assigned. (C) No newly-manufactured watercraft or outboard motor may be sold or offered for sale by a person in this State unless the watercraft or outboard motor has a hull identification number or serial number permanently affixed, and the number also must be affixed permanently in a hidden place. (D) Manufacturer's serial numbers or hull identification numbers for watercraft must be imprinted clearly in the stern transom knee or other essential hull member near the stern by stamping, impressing, or marking with pressure or for an inboard watercraft on the main inside beam. In lieu of imprinting, the manufacturer's serial number or hull identification number may be displayed on a plate in a permanent manner. In addition to being permanent the number must be accessible. Hull identification or serial numbers must be installed according to United States Coast Guard regulations. If the serial number or hull identification number is displayed in a location other than on or near the stern transom, the department must be notified by the manufacturer as to the location. (E) No person may destroy, remove, alter, cover, or deface the manufacturer's serial number or hull identification number or part of it, or plate bearing the number, or a serial number or hull identification number or part of it assigned by the department or be in possession of an affected watercraft or outboard motor unless authorized in writing by the department and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-15 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-15
SECTION 50-5-15. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this title pertaining to saltwaters: (1) "Anadromous" identifies fish which undertake adult migration from brackish or salt waters into freshwaters to spawn, except striped bass or rock fish and hybrid bass, and includes landlocked stocks of those fish. (2) "Bang stick" means a device containing a charge mounted on a spear, pole, or other contrivance which is activated in order to stun or kill fish or other marine resource. (3) "Board" means the South Carolina Board of Natural Resources. (4) "Bottoms" are all of the lands within this State covered at mean high water from the freshwater/saltwater dividing line seaward to the seawardmost limits of the territorial sea. (5) "Bull rake" means a rake having a basket and a width greater than twelve inches. (6) "Bushel" means one U.S. bushel. (7) "Cast net" means nonbaited circular webbing having a weighted peripheral line which is thrown by hand and retrieved by a central line connected to radiating tuck lines attached to the peripheral line. (8) "Catadromous" identifies fish which undertake adult migration from freshwater into brackish or salt water to spawn. (9) "Channel net" means any conical-shaped, fixed, or stationary net used for taking shrimp which: (a) is attached to poles, stakes, anchors, buoys, or other fixed objects; and (b) has a mesh size of less than two and one-half inches when the mesh is stretched; and is also known as a set net. (10) "Charter fishing vessel" means a vessel used to transport recreational saltwater fishermen for hire and includes charter, party, and head boats. (11) "Commercial equipment" means: (a) any trawl, haul seine, gill net, channel net, bull rake, seed fork, grabs, escalator, or dredge; and (b) any net, seine, trap, pot, tongs, rake, fork, trotline, or other device or appliance when used for taking or attempting to take fish for a commercial purpose. (12) "Commercial purpose" means: (a) being engaged in buying or selling fish; (b) taking or attempting to take fish in order to derive income or other consideration; (c) using commercial equipment; and (d) otherwise being engaged in the fisheries industry with the intent to derive income. (13) "Conservation of fisheries" means management, regulation, data collection and analysis, permitting, public interactions, enhancement and protection of fisheries stocks and habitat, law enforcement, and research. (14) "Conviction" or "convicted" means adjudication at trial or civil hearing and includes the entry of a plea of guilty, or nolo contendere, or the forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court. (15) "Crustacean" means all forms of crabs, shrimp, crayfish, stone crabs, lobsters, and other motile fish having a chitonized shell excluding snails and horseshoe crabs. (16) "Culch" means oyster shell or other substrate which is purposely placed for propagation of oysters through the attachment of oyster larvae. (17) "Cultured live rock" means a type of live rock which has been produced as a result of cultivation under controlled conditions, as in aquaculture operations. Live rock culture specifically entails the deposition of substrate materials for the express purpose of removing the material at a later date for use, sale, or trade as live rock. (18) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources unless otherwise stated. (19) "Dredge" means equipment used for harvesting bottom dwelling aquatic life which is not a trawl and is powered by mechanical means, and is designed to contact the bottom when in operation. (20) "Drop net" means a net mounted to a rigid frame with its diameter or diagonal width being eight feet or less and designed to be fished vertically by hand. (21) "Elver" means all American eels (Anguilla rostrata) less than or equal to six inches in total length. (22) "Fish" means finfish, shellfish including mollusks, crustaceans, horseshoe crabs, whelks (conchs), turtles, and terrapin or products thereof. (23) "Fishing" means all activity and effort involved in taking or attempting to take fish. (24) "Fishery and fisheries" mean the interactions within and between: (a) the populations of fish or marine resources being harvested; (b) the populations of fishermen; (c) the method, equipment, and effort involved in taking or attempting to take fish; (d) the processing, transporting, offering for sale, or selling of fish or marine resources; and (e) the natural resources supporting that interaction. (25) "Fold up trap" means a pyramid-shaped plastic or wire meshed collapsing trap, with a square base panel and triangular-shaped side panels, that opens outward to occupy a single plane when placed on the water bottom. It is baited in the center of the base panel and encloses crabs when retrieved by means of a cord drawing together the topmost points of the side triangles. (26) "Fork length" means the length of a fish laid flat and measured from the tip of the closed mouth (snout) to the center of the fork of the tail. It is a straight line measure, not over the curvature of the body. (27) "Gig" means a device used to spear fish by hand; to take fish by hand by use of a prong, spear, or similar device and includes bow and arrow. (28) "Gill net" means a net which is designed to hang vertically and capture fish by entanglement usually of the head, gill covers, or preopercles, and does not include gill net for taking shad unless specified. (29) "Haul seine" means a net of twine no smaller than #9 with a stretched mesh size no smaller than two inches and no larger than two and seven-eighths inches, one end of which is anchored to the shore and the other end is moved through the water by a vessel to take fish by encircling the fish and then being mechanically drawn to the shore. (30) "Herring" means all life stages of the river herrings being blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) and alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus). (31) "Inshore salt waters" means those salt waters of this State between the landward limit of the Atlantic Ocean connected by COLREG demarcation lines, and the freshwater/saltwater dividing line. (32) "Landed" or "to land" means to take and retain possession while afloat or to take and bring ashore. (33) "Live rock" means living saltwater organisms or an assemblage of them attached to a hard substrate including dead coral or rock. Living saltwater organisms associated with hard bottoms, banks, reefs, and live rock include, but are not limited to: (a) sea anemones (Phylum Cnidaria: Class Anthozoa: Order Actinaria); (b) sponges (Phylum Porifera); (c) tube worms (Phylum Annelida) including fan worms, feather duster worms, and Christmas tree worms; (d) bryozoans (Phylum Bryozoa); (e) sea squirts (Phylum Chordata); and (f) marine algae including mermaid's fan and cups (Udotea spp.), corraline algae, green feather and green grape algae (Caulerpa spp.), and watercress (Halimeda spp.). (34) "Mariculture" means controlled cultivation in confinement of marine and estuarine organisms in salt waters. (35) "Marine resource" means any live, fresh, processed, or frozen whole, part, or portion of any marine organism, anadromous fish, or catadromous fish, to include shell deposits occurring upon or within state-owned bottoms and those lying above the mean high water mark if created by processes of natural accretion upon state-owned lands or bottoms. (36) "Mile" means one nautical mile, being six thousand seventy-six feet. (37) "Minnow trap" means a trap having no opening which has a dimension greater than one inch only when used for taking small finfish for bait. (38) "Mollusk" or "molluscan" means a member of the phylum Mollusca. (39) "Peeler crab" means a hard crab of the blue crab species (Callinectes sapidus) which has a fully formed soft shell beneath the exterior hard shell and exhibits molt signs in the form of red, pink, or white lines just inside the exterior margin of the rear paddle (swimming) legs. (40) "Peeler trap" means a trap constructed of one inch or smaller hexagonal wire which is: (a) unbaited; or (b) baited with only one live male crab and may have one single piece of fish having no dimension greater than three inches. (41) "Pot" has the same definition as "trap" herein contained. (42) "Protected species" means a species with which man's interaction is legally controlled, restricted, or prohibited either continually or periodically. (43) "Public fishing pier" means piers open to the public which charge a fee to fish. (44) "Recreational fishermen" means persons taking or attempting to take saltwater fish for recreation only, and not for commercial purposes. (45) "Salt waters" mean all waters of the rivers and their tributaries, streams, and estuaries lying seaward of the dividing line between salt water and freshwater and all impounded waters seaward of the dividing line between salt water and freshwater which are intermittently filled or drained by the action of the tide. (46) "Saltwater gamefish" means a species of saltwater fish designated as a saltwater gamefish in this title. (47) "Saltwater privileges" mean the privilege of participating or assisting in the taking or attempting to take or to buy, receive, handle, pack, process, ship, consign, sell, barter, or trade a saltwater fish or marine resource and includes the privilege to hold any license, permit, or stamp authorizing such activity. (48) "Seed fork" means a fork manufactured having seven or more straight or slightly curved tines or having a tine greater than eight inches in length. All tines must be at least one inch apart unless utilized for mariculture harvest. (49) "Shad" means American or white shad (Alosa sapidissima) and hickory or skip-jack shad (Alosa mediocris). (50) "Shellfish" means oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and all nonmotile molluscan fish having shells. (51) "Shoreline" means the line of mean high water along that portion of a land mass which is in direct contact with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. (52) "Shrimp seine" means an unanchored net having a stretched mesh of not less than one inch but no greater than one and three-quarters inches, the webbing of which does not exceed forty feet in length or six feet in depth, which is continually moved through the water by human and not mechanical power, and which has no tail bag or cod. (53) "Shrimp trawl" means a trawl with netting having a stretch mesh size of less than two and one-half inches. (54) "Sponge crab" means a female blue crab bearing visible eggs. (55) "State resident" has the same meaning as prescribed in Chapter 9 of this title unless otherwise indicated. (56) "State waters" extend to the seaward limit of the territorial sea. (57) "Stretch" as used to describe the measure of mesh of nets means that the material is pulled snugly but not to the point of lengthening the single or multistrand line of the netting. Measurement is made across the widest dimension of the mesh when pulled. (58) "Striker" means a person, other than a licensed saltwater commercial fisherman, who under immediate supervision assists a licensed commercial saltwater fisherman, but does not use separate commercial equipment on a vessel which is engaged in commercial fishing. (59) "Take" means to harass intentionally, hunt, capture, gather, harvest, remove, catch, wound, or kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, gather, harvest, remove, catch, wound, or kill. (60) "Territorial sea" means that portion of the Atlantic Ocean under the jurisdiction of the State of South Carolina. (61) "Total length" means the length of a fish laid flat and measured from the closed mouth (snout) to the tip of the tail fin when pinched together. It is a straight line measure, not over the curvature of the body. (62) "Trap" is an enclosed device used for taking fish, constructed to facilitate entry but prohibit or restrict exit of fish and is also called "pot". (63) "Trawl" means a net, other than a haul seine, towed behind a boat. (64) "Trawler" means a vessel rigged for towing a trawl. (65) "Trawling" means fishing with a trawl or having part of a trawl door in the water. (66) "Trotline" means a single line or wire having numerous hooks or baits and is also called long line. (67) "Southern Cobia Management Zone" means all waters of this State south of 032° 31.0' N latitude, the approximate latitude of Jeremy Inlet, Edisto Island. (68) "Shellfish mariculture" means the controlled cultivation of shellfish in confinement from seed size until harvest. (69) "Shellfish seed" means any shellfish that does not exceed one inch in height or maximum dimension. Effect of Amendment The 2009 amendment in the introductory statement substituted "title pertaining to saltwaters" for "chapter except as specified in Article 19"; added definitions of "drop net" and "fold up trap", deleted the definition of "skim-bow net", and renumbered as necessary for the items to be alphabetical; in the definition of "landed" substituted "retain possession while afloat or to take and bring ashore" for "bring a saltwater fish ashore"; in the definition of "shrimp seine" deleted from the end of the first sentence and the beginning of the second "unanchored net having a stretched mesh of not less than one inch but no greater than one and three quarters inches, the webbing of which does not exceed forty feet in length or six feet in depth, which is continually moved through the water by human and not mechanical power. Beginning on the date three years following the effective date of this definition, 'shrimp seine' means"; in the definition of "territorial sea" deleted from the end "as depicted on charts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its successor agency"; and made nonsubstantive changes throughout. The first 2013 amendment added subsection (61), the definition of "total length", and redesignated accordingly. The second 2013 amendment added subsection (26), the definition of "fork length", and redesignated accordingly. 2016 Act No. 166, SECTION 1, added (67), relating to the Southern Cobia Management Zone. 2017 Act No. 30, SECTION 1, added (68), relating to shellfish mariculture, and added (69), relating to shellfish seed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2715 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 27 / Section 50-5-2715
SECTION 50-5-2715. Records, reports, and recommendations.
Status: in_force

The Compact Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before the tenth day of December in each year, setting forth in detail the transactions conducted by it during the preceding calendar year, and shall make recommendations for any legislative action it considers advisable, including amendments to the statutes of this State which may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of the compact between the signatory states.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-390 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-390
SECTION 50-5-390. Denial of or limitations on nonresident licenses.
Status: in_force

The department may deny issuance of any license or permit for commercial fishing equipment or activities to residents of any coastal state which denies the same privilege to South Carolina residents. The department may limit the type of fishing equipment used, seasons, and areas where nonresidents may fish in accordance with comparable limitations placed upon South Carolina fishermen by the nonresident's state.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-525 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-525
SECTION 50-5-525. Unlawful deployment of net; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to use or deploy any net or similar device or any part thereof including line and attached devices so that any part thereof extends more than one-half the width of any saltwater creek, stream, channel, slough, or other salt water regardless of the stage of the tide, river stage, or method of net deployment. (B) 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.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-325 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-325
SECTION 50-5-325. Commercial equipment licenses and fees; specification of vessel on which used; tagging of equipment; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Commercial equipment, excluding vessels, used in the salt waters of this State and in fisheries for anadromous and catadromous species in any waters of this State must be licensed by the department. The owner and operator are responsible for obtaining a license: (1) to use a trawl or trawls, and the cost is one hundred twenty-five dollars for residents and three hundred dollars for nonresidents; (2) to use traps other than traps for taking blue crab, and the cost is twenty-five dollars for fifty traps and one dollar for each trap thereafter for residents, and one hundred twenty-five dollars for fifty traps and five dollars for each trap thereafter for nonresidents; (3) to use traps for taking blue crab, and the cost is two dollars for each trap for residents and ten dollars for each trap for nonresidents; (4) to use a channel net for taking shrimp, and the cost is two hundred fifty dollars for each net; (5) to use a gill net for taking shad, herring, or sturgeon, and the cost is ten dollars per one hundred net yards or a fraction thereof for residents and fifty dollars per one hundred net yards or a fraction thereof for nonresidents, and to use any other gill net or haul seine the cost is ten dollars per one hundred net feet or a fraction thereof for residents and fifty dollars per one hundred net feet or a fraction thereof for nonresidents; (6) to use hand-held equipment to take shellfish, including tongs, rakes, and forks, at no cost; (7) to use a drag dredge, and the cost is seventy-five dollars for residents and three hundred seventy-five dollars for nonresidents; (8) to use other mechanically operated or boat-assisted equipment, other than equipment used to set or retrieve licensed equipment, and the cost is one hundred twenty-five dollars for residents and six hundred twenty-five dollars for nonresidents; (9) to use trotlines with baits or hooks, and the cost is ten dollars for residents and fifty dollars for nonresidents for each line having not more than fifty baits or hooks per line; (10) to use any other commercial equipment, and the cost is ten dollars for each type for residents and fifty dollars per type for nonresidents. (B) The vessel on which a trawl or trawls is to be used must be specified on an application to the department and maintained current. The owner of a trawling vessel must furnish the name and address of the vessel master. Failure by the owner to supply or update the information required for the application so as to keep the information current at all times is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in this section. (C) No person under the age of sixteen years may operate a trawler as master. (D) No person may hold or apply for a separate license resulting in avoidance of a license fee differential specified in this section. (E) Each net required to be licensed must be licensed separately. (F) Other than vessels solely transiting the State in interstate commerce, any vessel on or from which commercial equipment is used or transported must display on its port and starboard sides current identification decals provided by the department. (G) The department may require an owner or operator who uses commercial equipment without being present to affix an identification number and tag issued by the department to each piece of commercial equipment while the commercial equipment is in use. The owner and operator are responsible for assuring the number and tag are affixed. (H) Only those types of commercial equipment specifically allowed by this chapter may be used for commercial purposes; provided, the department may grant permits for additional equipment types as stated in Section 50-3-340. (I) A person who violates subsection (A)(1), (A)(3), (A)(7), or (H) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months. (J) A person who violates subsection (A)(2), (A)(4), (A)(6), (A)(8), (A)(9), (D), (E), (F), or (G) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (K) A person who violates subsection (A)(5), (B), or (C) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (L) Any commercial equipment which is used while not properly licensed, permitted, or tagged or any equipment used for commercial purposes not specifically allowed for commercial purposes by this chapter is considered contraband and must be seized by the department and disposed of as provided by law. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Upon approval of this act by the Governor, a moratorium on the issuance of new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab takes effect, at which time the department must not issue any new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab. This moratorium expires on June 15, 2025. Commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab in effect for the 2023-2024 license year are extended and do not expire until June 30, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 3, in (A), in (2), inserted "other than traps for taking blue crab" and substituted "for" for "per" in two places, inserted (3) and redesignated former (3) to (9) as (4) to (10) and made a nonsubstantive change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-140 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-140
SECTION 50-21-140. Division to furnish information on collisions and numbering of vessels to officials or agencies of United States.
Status: repealed

In accordance with any request duly made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the department pursuant to Sections 50-21-310 and 50-21-130 shall be transmitted to the official or agency of the United States for analytical and statistical purposes. SECTIONS 50-21-142 to 50-21-145. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 321, SECTION 6, eff 6 months after approval (approved June 16, 2008). Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-21-142 was entitled "Cooper River no wake zone established" and was derived from 2001 Act No. 21, SECTION 1. Former SECTION 50-21-143 was entitled "Little Chechessee Creek no wake zone established" and was derived from 1998 Act No. 364, SECTION 1. Former SECTION 50-21-144 was entitled "Cat Creek no wake zone established" and was derived from 1998 Act No. 364, SECTION 2. Former SECTION 50-21-145 was entitled "No wake and no swimming zones on Lakes Keowee and Jocassee" and was derived from 1984 Act No. 512, Part II, SECTION 60; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1269.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1990 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 13 / Section 50-13-1990
SECTION 50-13-1990. Penalties for fishing or trespassing upon fish sanctuaries; jurisdiction of magistrates.
Status: in_force

A person fishing or trespassing upon any property or waters so established as a sanctuary by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not exceeding two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. In cases where magistrates have countywide territorial jurisdiction, the magistrate closest to the sanctuary where the offense occurred shall have jurisdiction of the case. In counties where magistrates are given separate and exclusive territorial jurisdiction the case must be tried as provided in Section 22-3-530. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment substituted "shall" for "must" throughout the section and made other, nonsubstantive, changes. SECTION 50-13-1995. Fish culture and scientific investigations by the federal government. The department may permit the federal government to conduct fish culture and scientific investigations in the waters of this State in connection with hatchery operations or management of those species under federal jurisdiction. Effect of Amendment This section was added by both 2012 Act Nos. 113 and 114. The text is identical as provided by each act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-910 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 50-9-910
SECTION 50-9-910. Revenue from fines and forfeitures.
Status: in_force

(A) Revenue from fines and forfeitures for violations of Chapters 1 through 16 must be transmitted to the treasurer of the county where the revenue was collected. The treasurer shall transmit the revenue to the department accompanied by a statement showing the names of persons fined, the amount of each fine, the summons or warrant number, and the court in which each fine was collected. The revenue must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to the County Game and Fish Fund subaccount for the county from which the revenue was collected. (B) Revenue from fines and forfeitures for violations on wildlife management area lands must be used for the management and the procurement of wildlife management area lands. (C) Unless otherwise specified, revenue from the fines and forfeitures for violations of other sections of this title and for all other offenses investigated or prosecuted by the department must be used exclusively for law enforcement operations and any remaining balances must be retained and carried forward by the department and used for the same purposes. Editor's Note Prior laws: 1996 Act No. 372, SECTION 2; 1998 Act No. 419, Part II, SECTION 15A; 2008 Act No. 263, SECTION 3.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-535 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-535
SECTION 50-5-535. Placement of fishing equipment near public fishing pier or man-made jetty equipped with fishing walkway.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to set any fishing equipment within six hundred feet of a public fishing pier or man-made jetty equipped with a fishing walkway in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The provisions of this section apply only to a fishing pier open to the public or man-made jetty equipped with a fishing walkway open to the public.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-114 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-114
SECTION 50-21-114. Chemical test or analysis of breath, blood, or urine; implied consent; presumptions arising from blood alcohol content levels.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) A person who operates a water device is considered to have given consent to chemical tests or analysis of his breath, blood, or urine to determine the presence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, if arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was operating or directing the operation of a water device while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. A test given must be administered at the direction of the arresting law enforcement officer. At the direction of the arresting officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the alcohol concentration of his blood. If the person is physically unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because he has an injured mouth, is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by licensed medical personnel, a blood sample may be taken. If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is under the influence of drugs other than alcohol, the officer may order that a urine sample be taken for testing. If the breath analysis reading is eight one-hundredths of one percent or above by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, the officer may not require additional tests of the person as provided in this chapter. (2) The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), using methods approved by SLED. The arresting officer may administer the tests if testing is done in conformity with the standards set out by SLED. Blood and urine samples must be taken by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, or other medical personnel trained to take the samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood samples or urine samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by SLED. No tests may be administered or samples taken unless the person has been informed that he does not have to take the test or give the samples, but that his privilege to operate a water device must be suspended or denied for one hundred eighty days if he refuses to submit to the tests. (3) A hospital, physician, qualified technician, chemist, or registered nurse who takes samples or conducts the test or participates in the process of taking the samples or conducting the test in accordance with this section is not subject to a cause of action for assault, battery, or any other cause alleging that the drawing of blood or taking of samples at the request of the arrested person or a law enforcement officer was wrongful. This release from liability does not reduce the standard of medical care required of the person taking the samples or conducting the test. This qualified release also applies to the employer of the person who conducts the test or takes the samples. No person may be required by the arresting officer, or by any other law enforcement officer, to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine. (4) The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional tests at his expense and must be notified of that right. A person's failure to request additional blood or urine tests is not admissible against the person in a criminal trial. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples taken at the direction of the law enforcement officer. (5) The arresting officer must provide reasonable assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct additional tests. (6) SLED must administer the provisions of this subsection and may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions. The cost of the tests administered at the direction of the law enforcement officer must be paid from the general fund of the State. A fee of fifty dollars must be assessed at the time of the sentencing against persons convicted of, pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeiting bond for violating Section 50-21-112 or Section 50-21-113. This fee must be forwarded by the county treasurer to the State Treasurer and credited to the general fund of the State to defray any costs incurred by SLED and individuals and institutions obtaining the samples forwarded to SLED. (B) In any criminal prosecution where a test or tests were administered pursuant to this chapter, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time of the alleged violation, as shown by chemical analysis of the person's breath or other body fluids, gives rise to the following inferences: (1) If there was at that time five one-hundredths of one percent or less by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it is presumed conclusively that the person was not under the influence of alcohol. (2) If there was at that time in excess of five one-hundredths of one percent but less than eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, this fact does not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but this fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person. (3) If there was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol. (C) The provisions of this section may not be construed as limiting the introduction of other competent evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them. Refusal, resistance, obstruction, or opposition to testing pursuant to this section is admissible as evidence at the trial of a person charged with the offense that precipitated the request for testing. (D) A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (A). (E) If a person under arrest refuses, upon the request of a law enforcement officer, to submit to chemical tests provided in subsection (A), none may be given, but the department, on the basis of a report from the law enforcement officer that the arrested person was operating a water device within this State while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them, and that the person had refused to submit to the tests, must suspend his privilege to perform the above-mentioned activities for one hundred eighty days. The one hundred eighty-day period of suspension begins with the day after the date of the notice required to be given, unless a hearing is requested as provided, in which case the one hundred eighty-day period begins with the day after the date of the order sustaining the suspension. The report of the arresting officer must include what grounds he had for believing the arrested person was conducting the above-mentioned activity while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them. (F) Upon suspending the operating privilege of a person, the department immediately shall notify the person in writing and upon his request give him an opportunity for a hearing as provided in Article 3, Chapter 23, Title 1 of the 1976 Code. The review must be scheduled by the Administrative Law Court in accordance with the division's procedural rules. The scope of the hearing is limited to the issues set out by the Administrative Procedures Act and the division's procedural rules. Upon order of the administrative law judge, the department either shall rescind its order of suspension or continue the suspension of the privilege. (G) If a boating accident or marine casualty involves a fatality, the coroner having jurisdiction shall direct that a chemical blood test be performed on the deceased, within forty-eight hours of receiving notification of the death, to determine blood alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs, and that the results of the test be recorded properly in the coroner's report. (H) The suspensions under this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other civil remedies or civil penalties which may be assessed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1506 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1506
SECTION 50-5-1506. Zones, seasons, times catch limits, size limits, methods, and equipment for taking shad.
Status: reserved

In addition to other provisions of law, the following provisions govern seasons, times, methods, equipment, size limits, and take limits in commercial fishing for shad in the waters of this State specified below: (a) Black River, Great Pee Dee River, Little Pee Dee River, Lynches River, Waccamaw River from Big Bull Creek to Winyah Bay, Winyah Bay, and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (i) Pee Dee River and tributaries above U.S. Highway 701 and Black River: (1) Season: January 15 through April 15; (2) Times: noon Monday through noon Saturday; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (ii) Remainder of Winyah Bay system including all of Big Bull Creek and Waccamaw River with tributaries below the entrance of Big Bull Creek: (1) Season: January 15 through April 1; (2) Times: Monday noon to Saturday noon, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: No restriction provided drift nets of not more than nine hundred feet in length are allowed in Waccamaw River between Butler Island and U.S. Highway 17 during lawful times; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (b) 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 thereto as follows: (i) Rediversion Canal from St. Stephen Dam seaward to the seaward terminus of the northern dike of the Rediversion Canal: Season: No open season; (ii) Rediversion Canal from the seaward terminus of the northern dike of the Rediversion Canal seaward to Santee River: (1) Season: January 15 through April 15; (2) Times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday and Thursday; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (iii) Wilson Dam seaward to U.S. Highway 52 bridge: Season: No open season. (iv) U.S. Highway 52 bridge seaward to S.C. Highway 41 bridge: (1) Season: January 15 through April 15; (2) Times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday and Thursday; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (v) S.C. Highway 41 bridge seaward: (1) Season: January 15 through March 15; (2) Times: Monday noon to Saturday noon, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (c) Wando River and Cooper River seaward to the U.S. Highway 17 bridges, Charleston Harbor, Ashley River, and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (i) Tailrace Canal from Wadboo Creek to the Jefferies Power Plant: Season: No open season. (ii) Cooper River from Wadboo Creek to U.S. Highway 17: Season: No open season. (iii) Ashley River seaward to its confluence with Popper Dam Creek: (1) Season: No open season; (2) Reserved (3) Reserved (4) Reserved (iv) Remainder of the Charleston Harbor system: (1) Season: No open season; (2) Reserved (3) Reserved (4) Reserved (d) Edisto River Estuary, Edisto River, North and South Branches (Forks) of the Edisto River, and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (i) Above U.S. Highway 15 bridge: (1) Season: February 1 through March 30; (2) Times: Tuesday noon to Saturday noon, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (ii) Seaward of U.S. Highway 15 bridge and above U.S. Highway 17 bridge: (1) Season: February 1 through March 30; (2) Times: Tuesday noon to Saturday noon, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (iii) Seaward of U.S. Highway 17 bridge: (1) Season: February 1 through March 30; (2) Times: Wednesday noon to Friday midnight, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (e) Ashepoo River and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (1) Season: No open season; (2) Reserved (3) Reserved (4) Reserved (f) Combahee River and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (i) Tributaries and distributaries, except main stems of Salkehatchie Rivers: Season: No open season. (ii) Main river including main stems of Salkehatchie Rivers: (1) Season: February 1 through March 15; (2) Times: For anchored nets, Tuesday noon to Friday noon, local time; for driftnets, Monday noon to Saturday noon, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (g) Coosawhatchie River and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: Season: No open season. (h) South Carolina portions of Savannah River and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (i) Main river below U. S. Highway 301 and above U. S. Interstate Highway 95: (1) Season: January 1 through April 15; (2) Times: 7:00 a.m. Wednesday to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (ii) Tributaries and distributaries above U.S. Interstate Highway 95 bridge: Season: No open season. (iii) Seaward of U.S. Interstate Highway 95 bridge. (1) Season: January 1 through March 31. Taking or attempting to take shad with anchored nets is prohibited at all times in the Savannah River's Little Back River, Back River and the north channel of the Savannah River downstream from the New Savannah Cut; (2) Times: 7:00 a.m. Tuesday to 7:00 p.m. Friday, local time; (3) Methods and equipment: Any lawful method and equipment; (4) Size and take limits: No limits. (i) Atlantic Ocean territorial sea as follows: (1) Season: No open season; (2) Reserved (3) Reserved (4) Reserved (j) Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion, Diversion Canal, Intake Canal of Rediversion Canal, and all tributaries and distributaries thereto as follows: (1) Season: No closed season; (2) Times: No restrictions; (3) Methods and equipment: Cast net and lift net for bait; (4) Size and take limits: Two hundred fifty pounds per boat per day combined catch of herring and shad. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-27 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-27
SECTION 50-11-27. Hunting and baiting on Lake Murray; violations and penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this section: (1) "Lake Murray" means and includes the area from Lake Murray Dam to one-half mile upstream of Harmon's Bridge on Secondary Road 41-44 and upstream to Kempson's Ferry Bridge on Highway 395, excluding tributaries; (2) "bait" means shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn; wheat or grain; salt; or other feed that would constitute a lure, attraction, enticement, or bait to waterfowl; (3) "to bait" or "baiting" means placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering bait. (B) It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on that portion of Lake Murray lying within Newberry and Saluda Counties within two hundred yards of a dwelling or marina without written permission of the owner and occupant. (C) It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on that portion of Lake Murray lying within Lexington and Richland Counties within three hundred fifty yards of a dwelling or marina without written permission of the owner and occupant. (D) From November 1 to February 1 of the following year, it is unlawful to bait, assist in, or cause to be baited any of the waters of Lake Murray below the lakefront property line. Provided, nothing in this section makes it unlawful to casually feed foodstuffs to waterfowl or to fill and use bird and other wildlife feeders. (E) A person who violates subsections (B) and (C) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. (F) A person who violates subsection (D) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-420 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 50-9-420
SECTION 50-9-420. Requirements for taking shad, herring, or eels for commercial purposes.
Status: in_force

A person taking shad, herring, or eels for commercial purposes: (1) in the salt waters of this State, must obtain a commercial saltwater fishing license and a commercial saltwater equipment license and related permits; (2) in the freshwaters of this State, must obtain a commercial freshwater license and a commercial saltwater equipment license and related permits. Section 50-9-430. The cost for a scientific collection permit is ten dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-2020 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 13 / Section 50-13-2020
SECTION 50-13-2020. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 114, SECTION 6, eff July 1, 2012.
Status: in_force

Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-13-2020 was entitled "Management control of department with respect to lakes and ponds it owns or leases; approval and publication of terms and conditions; violations and penalties" and was derived from 1986 Act No. 496, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-285 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-285
SECTION 50-18-285. Tampering, damaging, vandalizing, poisoning, or stealing of aquaculture products or facilities; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) No person may tamper with, damage, vandalize, poison, steal, or attempt to tamper with, damage, vandalize, poison, or steal the products or facilities utilized in aquaculture or aquaculture businesses of a person permitted, registered, or licensed under this chapter. (B) No person may cast or cause to be cast poison, impurities, or other substances that are injurious to aquatic species into the waters or water supply of any permitted or registered aquaculture facility. (C) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year. For a second or subsequent offense and, upon conviction, must be fined five thousand dollars, no part of which may be suspended, or imprisoned for one year, or both. Equipment, vessels, and vehicles used in a second or subsequent violation must be seized and forfeited to the department. (D) For any violation of this section in addition to other penalties, the person convicted must pay restitution to the victim as determined by the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-230 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 2 / Section 50-13-230
SECTION 50-13-230. Striped and hybrid bass limits.
Status: repealed

(A) In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system except the lower reach of the Saluda River; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from June sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or to possess striped and hybrid bass. Striped and hybrid bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came. (B) On the lower reach of the Saluda River from June sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take or possess striped and hybrid bass. Striped and hybrid bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came. When fishing with live or dead bait fish or bait fish parts in the Lower Saluda River between June sixteenth and September thirtieth, hook gap, the distance from hook to point to shank, must not exceed three eighths of an inch (nominally #6 hook) for all hook types except inline, nonstainless steel circle hooks. All sizes of inline, nonoffset, nonstainless steel circle hooks are allowed. (C) In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from October first through June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess more than three striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day. (D) In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from October first through June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess a striped or hybrid bass less than twenty-six inches in total length. (E) In the Santee River system from October first through June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess a striped or hybrid bass less than twenty-three inches or greater than twenty-five inches, provided that one striped or hybrid bass taken or possessed may be greater than twenty-six inches. (F) On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River it is unlawful to possess more than five striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day. From June first through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than five striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day. (G) On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River from October first through May thirty-first, it is unlawful to possess a striped or hybrid bass less than twenty-one inches in total length. From June first to September thirtieth there is no minimum length. (H) On Lakes Hartwell and Thurmond it is unlawful to possess more than ten striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day and only three may be over twenty-six inches in total length. (I) On Lake Richard B. Russell and the Lake Hartwell tailwater it is unlawful to possess more than two striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day, and only one may be over thirty-four inches in total length. (J) On the lower reach of the Savannah River it is unlawful to possess more than two striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass, or a combination of these. Any of these fish taken from the lower reach of the Savannah River must be at least twenty-seven inches in total length. (K) It is unlawful to land striped or hybrid bass unless the head and tail fin are intact. (L) The department shall establish the daily possession and size limits for striped bass on all other waters of this State, provided, limits must not be set by emergency regulation. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the amendments to (B) made by 2024 Act No. 143 and 2024 Act No. 154 were read together. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-230, was entitled "Authority to change daily creel limits on striped bass or rockfish" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-593; 1961 (52) 152; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263; repealed by 2008 Act No. 237, SECTION 5. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote this section. 2018 Act No. 164, SECTION 3, in (A), in the first sentence, inserted "Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County);" following "Thoroughfare Creek;", and substituted "June sixteenth through" for "June first to"; in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "June sixteenth through" for "June first to"; in (C) and (D), inserted "Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County);" following "Thoroughfare Creek;", and substituted "June fifteenth" for "May thirty-first"; inserted (E), and redesignated (E) to (L) as (F) to (M); in (M), substituted "January 2022" for "January, 2015"; and made a nonsubstantive change. 2024 Act No. 143, SECTION 1, in (A) and (B), in the first and second sentences, inserted "and hybrid" following "striped"; in (C), substituted "striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day" for "striped bass a day"; in (D), inserted "or hybrid" following "striped"; in (E), inserted "or hybrid" following "striped" in two places; in (F), in the first and second sentences, substituted "striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day" for "striped bass a day"; in (G), in the first sentence, inserted "or hybrid" following "striped"; in (K), inserted "or hybrid" following "striped"; deleted (M), which required the department to make a study of the striped bass fishery on the Santee and Cooper River systems; and made a nonsubstantive change. 2024 Act No. 154, SECTION 1, in (B), added the third and fourth sentences.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-24 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-24
SECTION 50-11-24. Hunting migratory fowl in Gills Creek watershed in Lancaster County without permission; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl in the Gills Creek watershed in Lancaster County within two hundred yards of a dwelling without written permission of the owner or occupant. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-640 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-640
SECTION 50-13-640. Possession of blue catfish.
Status: repealed

(A) It is unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) greater than thirty-two inches in length in any one day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, or the upper reach of the Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways. (B) It is unlawful to take more than twenty-five blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) a day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, the upper reach of the Santee River, and all other state waterways. (C) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. Editor's Note 2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 5, provides as follows: "SECTION 5. This act takes effect April 1, 2015, and shall be automatically repealed on June 30, 2018, unless reauthorized by a joint resolution for that specific purpose." 2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "SECTION 3. The Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a study of the blue catfish fishery in the Santee and Cooper river systems and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the fishery on or before January 1, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 1, in subsection (A), substituted "two blue catfish" for "one blue catfish", substituted "thirty-two inches" for "thirty-six inches", and inserted "River" following "Santee"; added subsections (B) and (C), relating to daily possession limits and a study of the blue catfish fishery; and redesignated former subsection (B) as (D). 2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 1, in (A), substituted "two blue catfish" for "one blue catfish", "thirty-two inches" for "thirty-six inches", and "Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways" for "Santee, and the Congaree and Wateree Rivers"; inserted (B); and redesignated former (B) as (C).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1230 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 50-13-1230
SECTION 50-13-1230. Construction of certain fishways or ladders.
Status: in_force

All persons who have erected or may hereafter erect artificial dams across the inland creeks, rivers, streams or waterways of this State which prevent migratory fish from ascending the same, unless excused by the governing body of the county, shall construct proper fishways or ladders over the same, to be approved by the governing body of the county in which such dam is situated and should such persons refuse or fail so to do within thirty days after notice from the governing body of the county they shall be liable to a fine or penalty of five thousand dollars, recoverable by the county in which such dam has been or may be erected in a court of competent jurisdiction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2225 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 10 / Section 50-11-2225
SECTION 50-11-2225. Trespass on closed area; penalties.
Status: in_force

A person who enters a closed area or who remains on an area after being instructed by a law enforcement officer, the manager, or department custodial personnel to leave is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned up to thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-717 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-717
SECTION 50-11-717. Use of artificial lights at night; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) The use of artificial lights for the purpose of observing or harassing wildlife is unlawful, except that a property owner, or person with permission from the property owner, may use artificial lights to observe wildlife prior to 11:00 p.m. This section does not prohibit: (1) a property owner from using artificial lights for the purpose of protecting the property; (2) a person or group, with permission of the property owner, from observing wildlife with the use of artificial lights, while engaged in research or documentary filming; (3) a person from using artificial lights to night hunt pursuant to this article; or (4) a person from using remote trail monitors or cameras on a property. (B) A person who violates this section, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1130 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 50-3-1130
SECTION 50-3-1130. Funding.
Status: in_force

The Conservation Grant Fund shall consist of any monies appropriated to it by the General Assembly and other monies received from public or private sources.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1230 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 12 / Section 50-25-1230
SECTION 50-25-1230. Violations.
Status: in_force

The operator of a motorboat who violates any of the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined for a: (1) first offense not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days; (2) second offense not less than one hundred nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days; (3) third or subsequent offense not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-60 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-60
SECTION 50-23-60. Application for certificate; late penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) Every person who acquires a watercraft or outboard motor required to be titled under this chapter shall apply to the department within thirty days of the date of acquisition for a certificate of title for the watercraft or outboard motor accompanied by the required fee and on forms required by the department. The application must be signed by the person who acquires the watercraft or outboard motor and shall contain: (1) the applicant's name, domiciled address, including the county, date of birth, and the county where the watercraft is principally located, state-issued identification number, and state of issue; (2) for watercraft, a description of the watercraft, including its make, model, model year, length, the principal material used in construction, hull number, and the manufacturer's engine serial number if an inboard; for an outboard motor, its make, model, model year, or year of manufacture, and horsepower, and manufacturer's serial number; (3) the date of acquisition by the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the watercraft or outboard motor was acquired, and the names and addresses of persons having a security interest in the order of their priority; (4) a bill of sale; (5) further information reasonably required by the department to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the watercraft or outboard motor; (6) when a Transfer of Death (TOD) beneficiary is designated, each TOD beneficiary's name, domiciled address, including the county, date of birth, state-issued identification number, and state of issue; and (7) in the case of one or more TOD beneficiaries receiving the title and registration to a watercraft or outboard motor, a bill of sale shall not be required for the department to issue a title, but such TOD beneficiaries shall establish the death of all owners of the watercraft or outboard motor. (B) Every dealer selling or exchanging a watercraft or outboard motor subject to titling under this chapter shall complete the application for a new title in the name of the purchaser before delivering the watercraft or outboard motor to the purchaser. The application shall contain the name and address of a lienholder and the date of the security agreement. It must be signed by the dealer showing the assigned dealer permit number, as well as by the owner, and the dealer shall submit the application to the department within thirty days of the sale. However, permitted marine dealers are not required to obtain titles for new vessels and outboard motors held in their inventory for sale until they are sold or exchanged as long as a proper manufacturer's or importer's statement of origin is held by the dealer. The fees for title and registration may not exceed those required by this article and if requested must be itemized on the bill of sale to the new owner. This does not prohibit a dealer from charging an administrative fee for processing title and registration. (C) If a dealer buys or acquires a used watercraft or outboard motor for resale and the watercraft or outboard motor is already covered by a certificate of title which is surrendered to him by the owner or lienholder at the time of delivery of the watercraft or outboard motor, the dealer need not send the certificate to the department at that time. Upon transferring the watercraft or outboard motor to another person, other than by creation of a security interest, within thirty days of sale he shall execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the name and address of the transferee and a lienholder and the date of his security agreement, in the spaces provided, on the certificate to the department with the transferee's application for a new certificate. (D) If application for certificate of title is made for a watercraft or outboard motor last owned in another state or foreign country, the application shall contain or be accompanied by: (1) the certificate of title issued by the other state or foreign country if any; (2) other information or documents the department reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the watercraft or outboard motor and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in it; or (3) if the state or foreign country in which the watercraft or outboard motor was last owned does not issue certificates of title, a bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership or evidence of ownership required by the law of the state or foreign country from which the watercraft or outboard motor was brought into this State, and proof of registration plus other information or documents the department reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the watercraft or outboard motor and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in it. (E) An application except those from permitted marine dealers presented after thirty days is subject to a late penalty of fifteen dollars. (F) An application presented after sixty days is subject to a late penalty of thirty dollars. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 200, SECTION 30, provides as follows: "SECTION 30. SECTIONS 1-21 of this act take effect upon approval by the Governor and their provisions shall apply to all applicable actions, proceedings, and matters filed on and after the effective date; SECTIONS 22-29 of this act take effect on July 1, 2025." Effect of Amendment The 2007 amendment, in paragraph (A)(1), substituted "date of birth, and state-issued identification number and state of issue" for "and social security number". the 2008 amendment rewrote this section and added subsection (F) imposing a late penalty. 2024 Act No. 200, SECTION 23, in (A), inserted (6) and (7), and made nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-360 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-360
SECTION 50-5-360. Wholesale seafood dealer, peeler crab, and molluscan shellfish licenses; display of license; roadside vendors; brood stock exception; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in subsection (G), a person or entity who buys, receives, or handles any live or fresh saltwater fish or any saltwater fishery products landed in this State regardless of where taken and packs, processes, ships, consigns, or sells such items at other than retail, and not solely as bait, must first obtain a wholesale seafood dealer license. A person who buys or receives such product solely from licensed wholesale seafood dealers is not required to obtain a wholesale seafood dealer license. The fee for a resident wholesale seafood dealer license is one hundred dollars, and the fee for a nonresident license is five hundred dollars. Each location at which products are to be packed, processed, shipped, consigned, or bought, or to be sold at wholesale must be a permanent, nonmobile establishment, and must be separately licensed. The department may require applicants to specify the activities in which the applicant intends to engage. The department may provide information provided in the application to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (B) In order to engage in shedding peeler crabs, a person or entity must first be a licensed wholesale seafood dealer, must be licensed for peeler crabs, and the person's or entity's business premises must be capable of peeler shedding operations. The fee for a resident peeler crab license is an additional seventy-five dollars, and the fee for a nonresident license is an additional three hundred seventy-five dollars. Persons holding this license and engaged in shedding peeler crabs are authorized to receive, possess, and sell peeler crabs regardless of size. The department may inspect the business premises of a person or entity applying for a peeler crab license and of a peeler crab licensee to ensure the applicant's or licensee's business premises are capable of peeler shedding operations. (C) A person or entity required to obtain a wholesale seafood dealer license who receives molluscan shellfish must first be licensed for molluscan shellfish. The fee for a resident to acquire a molluscan shellfish license is an additional ten dollars, and the fee for a nonresident is an additional fifty dollars. Prior to obtaining a molluscan shellfish license, a person or entity must complete any shellfish training required by regulations promulgated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control pursuant to Section 44-1-140. (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. (E) The original or a legible copy of the wholesale seafood dealer license must be displayed where a wholesale seafood dealer or his agent is selling or offering for sale saltwater fisheries products. Any wholesale seafood dealer who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (F) Roadside vendors, transient dealers, or peddlers operating from vehicles, roadside stands, or other temporary locations who sell or offer for sale saltwater fishery products are retail dealers who must comply with the retail license and tax requirements of state and local law. The person or entity must be a licensed wholesale seafood dealer or must have received or purchased the products from licensed wholesale seafood dealers or other licensed retailers and must comply with the requirements of Section 50-5-365 (A). (G) A person or entity that solely produces fish or fishery products reared as offspring from brood stock in captivity, or purchases such fish or fishery products solely is not required to have a wholesale seafood dealer license. (H)(1) Persons licensed under this section upon a fourth conviction within a period of three years of provisions related to: (a) possession of undersized fishery products; (b) improper marking or tagging of fishery products; (c) failure to report or maintain records; or (d) unlawful purchase of fishery products shall have his privilege to hold a wholesale seafood dealer license suspended for a period of twelve months. (2) Any person convicted of selling or offering for sale fish or fishery products while under suspension is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined no less than one thousand dollars but not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have all his saltwater privileges suspended for three years. (3) For the purposes of this section, a conviction must occur on a separate date from other unlawful acts named in this section to be considered a prior offense. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Upon approval of this act by the Governor, a moratorium on the issuance of new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab takes effect, at which time the department must not issue any new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab. This moratorium expires on June 15, 2025. Commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab in effect for the 2023-2024 license year are extended and do not expire until June 30, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 30, SECTION 2, in (C), added the third sentence, relating to completion of shellfish training required by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 4, in (B), in the first sentence, substituted ", must be licensed for peeler crabs, and the person's or entity's business premises must be capable of peeler shedding operations" for "and be licensed for peeler crabs", and added the fourth sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-45 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-45
SECTION 50-21-45. Administration of oaths; acknowledgment of signatures.
Status: in_force

Officers and employees of the Department engaged in the work of administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter may administer oaths and acknowledge signatures and must do so without fee.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-26-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 26 / Section 50-26-30
SECTION 50-26-30. Unlawful use of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) by child; safety certificate required; helmet and eye protection required; enforcement.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a parent or legal guardian of a person less than six years of age to knowingly permit that person to operate an ATV. (B) It is unlawful for a parent or legal guardian of a person without a motor vehicle driver's license and less than sixteen years of age to knowingly allow that person to carry a passenger while operating an ATV. (C) As used in this section "ANSI/SVIA" means American National Standards Institute/Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and "FMVSS" means Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. (D) It is unlawful to remove from an ATV the manufacturer Age Restriction Warning Label required by ANSI/SVIA. (E) It is unlawful for a parent or legal guardian of a person less than sixteen years of age to knowingly allow that person to operate an ATV in violation of the Age Restriction Warning Label affixed by the manufacturer as required by standard ANSI/SVIA 1-2007. (F) Effective July 1, 2011, every person fifteen years old and younger who operates an all-terrain vehicle must possess a safety certificate indicating successful completion of "hands-on" all-terrain vehicle safety course approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute. (G) A person fifteen years of age or younger also may not operate, ride, or otherwise be propelled on an all-terrain vehicle within this State unless the person wears a safety helmet meeting standard FMVSS #218 and eye protection. (H) A law enforcement officer enforcing the provisions of this section in regard to private lands must have probable cause, based on a plain view observation or incident to an investigation resulting from an all-terrain vehicle accident, to believe a violation of this section occurred before he may enter upon private land to charge a violation of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-615 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-615
SECTION 50-13-615. Nongame fishing devices and methods which may be used for taking nongame fish in freshwaters.
Status: in_force

The following are the only lawful nongame fishing devices and methods that may be used for taking nongame fish in the freshwaters of this State and only in those waters in which these devices and methods are authorized: (1) archery equipment; (2) cast net; (3) crayfish trap; (4) eel pot; (5) elver fyke net; (6) gig; (7) gill net; (8) hand grabbing; (9) hoop net; (10) jug fishing device; (11) minnow seine; (12) minnow trap; (13) pump net; (14) seine; (15) set hook; (16) skimbow net; (17) spear; (18) trap; (19) trotline. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 35 / Section 50-19-2250
SECTION 50-19-2250. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, except Section 50-19-2210, or any of the rules or regulations adopted and promulgated under the authority thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-112 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-112
SECTION 50-21-112. Operation of moving motorized water device or water device under sail while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol; offense; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to operate a moving motorized water device or water device undersail upon the waters of this State while under the: (1) influence of alcohol to the extent that the person's faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired; (2) influence of any other drug or a combination of other drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired; or (3) combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs, or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to operate are materially and appreciably impaired. For purposes of this section "drug" means illicit or licit drug, a combination of licit or illicit drugs, a combination of alcohol and an illicit drug, or a combination of alcohol and a licit drug. (B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished: (1) for a first offense, by a fine of two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when it does not interfere with the offender's regular employment under terms and conditions, as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the minimum sentence; (2) for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item may not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand dollars. Instead of service of imprisonment, the court may require that the individual complete an appropriate term of public service employment of not less than ten days upon terms and conditions the court considers proper. Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside; (3) for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. (C) Any person convicted of operating a water device in violation of subsection (A), in addition to any other penalties, must be prohibited by the department from operating any water device within this State for six months for the first conviction, one year for the second conviction, and two years for the third conviction. Only those violations, which occurred within ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation, shall constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section. A person whose privilege is suspended under the provisions of this section must be notified by the department of the suspension and of the requirement to enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Office of Substance Use Services prior to reinstatement of the privilege. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem, if any, of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed based upon the assessment. Entry into and successful completion of the services, if such services are necessary, recommended in the plan of education or treatment, or both, developed for the applicant is a mandatory requirement of the restoration of privileges to the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant has successfully completed the services. The Office of Substance Use Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment. The cost of services must be within the limits set forth in Section 56-5-2990(C). No applicant may be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant has successfully completed services. If the applicant has not successfully completed the services as directed by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within one year of enrollment, a hearing must be provided by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and if further needed by the Office of Substance Use Services. The department and the Office of Substance Use Services shall develop procedures necessary for the communication of information pertaining to reinstating the privilege, or otherwise. The procedures must be consistent with the confidentiality laws of this State and the United States. A person convicted under this section, in addition to any other penalties, shall be required by the department to attend and complete a boating safety education program approved by the department. The person required to attend the program shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program. The person's privilege to operate a water device within this State shall be suspended until successful completion of the required program. (D) The suspension penalties assessed under this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other civil remedies or criminal penalties which may be assessed. No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. (E) For the purposes of this chapter any conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere or forfeiture of bail, for the violation of any law or ordinance of this or any other state or any municipality of this or any other state that prohibits any person from operating a vessel or water device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both constitutes a prior offense for the purpose of any prosecution for any subsequent violation of this section. Only those offenses which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last offense constitutes prior offenses within the meaning of this section. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 50-9-340
SECTION 50-9-340. Shooting preserves.
Status: in_force

A certificate of completion is not required for a hunting license to be used solely for hunting game on a specific shooting preserve of over ten thousand contiguous acres and including onsite hunting instruction and supervision provided for in Article 7, Chapter 11 of Title 50. A license issued under this section must be marked clearly by the authorized hunting license agent from whom it is bought as being valid only on that specific preserve.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-340
SECTION 50-5-340. Permits; use for commercial purposes and disposition of proceeds; violations and penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may grant permits for taking, holding, and propagating fish or other marine resources excluding any marine mammals for: (1) exploratory; (2) experimental; (3) scientific; (4) educational; or (5) commercial display purposes. These permits may authorize activities which would otherwise be unlawful. These permits expire at the pleasure of the department, but permits granted for exploratory or experimental commercial purposes are limited to no more than two years and may not be renewed. Permits granted pursuant to this section may include conditions as to the areas, times, seasons, types of fishing equipment, species to be taken, catch reporting requirements, disposition of the catch, and other conditions the department determines necessary. No permittee may take fish or marine resources in violation of permit conditions. (B) The department may permit marine resources collected pursuant to exploratory, experimental, or commercial display permits to be used for commercial purposes. Marine resources collected pursuant to scientific or educational permits may not be used for personal consumption, but the resource or the proceeds of its sale may be used by the department for marketing and promotional purposes. Any product in excess of department needs may be disposed of according to law. The department may condition permits to allow sale of marine resources for public display. (C) A person who violates this section for a commercial purpose is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (D) A person who violates this section for other than a commercial purpose is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-10
SECTION 50-11-10. Adoption of Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act; prohibitions concerning hunting of waterfowl; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its implementing regulations are the law of this State. However, the board annually may set seasons, bag limits, and methods for hunting and taking migratory birds consistent with federal law. A violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or its implementing regulations or a violation of regulations set by the board is a misdemeanor. (B) In addition, it is unlawful to: (1) trespass while hunting waterfowl; (2) take or attempt to take waterfowl over bait; (3) take or attempt to take waterfowl more than fifteen minutes before or after regularly designated hunting hours; (4) possess more than one waterfowl over the legal limit; (5) hunt waterfowl out of season. (C) A person who violates a provision of subsection (A), with the exception of those provisions specified in subsection (B), is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense. A person who violates a provision of subsection (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1820 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 29 / Section 50-19-1820
SECTION 50-19-1820. Fishing above Wateree Dam in Kershaw County.
Status: in_force

It shall not be unlawful for anyone to fish from the banks of the watercourse above the Duke Power Company Wateree Dam in Kershaw County within one hundred feet from the dam, but it shall be unlawful to fish from any structure or abutment erected by Duke Power Company. Nothing in this section or SECTION 50-25-320 shall be construed to prohibit fishing in waters within one hundred feet of the dam from a boat which is further than one hundred feet from the dam.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-870 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-870
SECTION 50-11-870. Bird sanctuaries declared in certain areas; hunting waterfowl on Lake Wylie.
Status: in_force

The following areas are declared to be bird sanctuaries: (1) Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County; (2) Highlands of Otranto Subdivision in Berkeley County; (3) the Town of Bonneau in Berkeley County; (4) St. James Estates, Spring Hill, Devonshire, Raintree, and Harbor Lakes Subdivisions in Berkeley County; (5) The subdivision of Clear View on James Island, Charleston County; (6) James Island water district in Charleston County; (7) the subdivision of Lee-Jackson-McCalls Corner on James Island, Charleston County; (8) St. Phillips Parish, St. Michaels Parish, and North Charleston Public Service District, Charleston County; (9) Melrose, Longbranch, and Shaftesbury Subdivisions in Charleston County as bounded on the South by Highway 17, on the West by Long Branch Creek, on the North by Magwood property line, and on the East by the property line of Castlewood Subdivision; (10) Forest Lakes Subdivision located in the City and County of Charleston; (11) Winnsboro Mills in Fairfield County bounded on the North by the city limits of Winnsboro, on the South by the intersection of Highways 321, 34, and 215, on the West by the by-pass of Highway 321, and on the East by Golf Course Road; (12) Avondale Forest as recorded at plat book RR page 186, and plat book BBB page 36, in the office of the Registrar of Mesne Conveyances for Greenville County; (13) Lake Forest and Lake Forest Heights in Greenville County, bounded on the North by Edwards Road, on the East by Shannon Drive, on the South by Old Spartanburg Road, and the West by Highway 291; (14) Botony Woods, Greenville County; (15) Heritage Lakes in Greenville County; (16) the City of Ocean Drive Beach, Horry County; (17) Windy Hill Beach, Horry County; (18) Briarcliff Acres in Horry County as bounded on the North by Highway 17, on the East by the Holmes property, on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the West by the Patterson property; (19) Kirkover Hills near Camden in Kershaw County; (20) Sunnyhills Subdivision near Camden in Kershaw County; (21) the area between the Western city limits of Camden and the Seaboard Railroad tracks, Kershaw County; (22) that area bounded by the Haile Street Extension, U.S. Highway No. 1, and Lake Shore Drive near Camden, Kershaw County; (23) Saluda Gardens, Saluda Terrace, Westover Acres, and Saluda Hills Subdivisions in Lexington County; (24) Town of Arcadia Lakes, Richland County; (25) Community of Belvedere in Richland County; (26) Deerfield Plantation, Berkeley County; (27) City of Tega Cay, York County; (28) the area in York County, embracing the Country Club Estates, the Rock Hill Country Club, the Oakdale School property, a portion of the Drennan property, and being bounded on the North by the Fewell property, on the East by the Fewell and Parrish properties, on the South by the old Mount Holly Road, and on the West and North by State Highway No. 72; (29) the area in York County consisting of all waters and tributaries impounded by the Lake Wylie Dam located within the boundaries of the State of South Carolina. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, waterfowl may be hunted during any appropriate migratory waterfowl season on all waters of Lake Wylie with the following restrictions: it is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on Lake Wylie within two hundred yards of a dwelling, school or business without written permission of the owner and occupant; (30) the area known as the community of River Hills Plantation, Inc., in York County; (31) the Town of Pawleys Island in Georgetown County; (32) the area in Clarendon County consisting of that portion of Tawcaw Creek, adjacent to Goat Island, lying Southeast of County Road 38, and extending into Lake Marion to the extent of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge boundaries lying East and West of that portion of Lake Marion; (33) Rolling Green Retirement Community in Greenville County; (34) the grounds of the Presbyterian Home of South Carolina located on Highway 56 in the Town of Clinton in Laurens County. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment removed "River Hills Plantation, York County" from item (26); rewrote item (28); inserted item (29) and redesignated items (29) through (33) as items (30) through (34), and made other nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-55 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-55
SECTION 50-15-55. Nonnative reptiles; regulations; unlawful acts; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to release wildlife that is not native to this State from captivity in this State. (B) The department may promulgate regulations to prohibit or otherwise restrict certain species of nonnative wildlife in this State, including species that: (1) have the potential to become established in this State in sufficient numbers so as to become a nuisance; and (2) pose a demonstrable deleterious and widespread threat to wildlife, agriculture, or human health and safety. (C) Sanitary and safe disposal of dead wildlife is not a violation of this section. (D) The provisions of this section do not apply to the release of foxes and coyotes pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 11, Title 50 and to the release of other nonnative species from captivity if authorized by law. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-15-55 was titled Criteria of designating land as certified management area for endangered species; review and revision, and had the following history: 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, SECTION 95. Omitted by 2014 Act No. 159, SECTION 1, eff April 14, 2014. See, now, SECTION 50-15-50.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2100 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 9 / Section 50-11-2100
SECTION 50-11-2100. Field trials; Department to promulgate regulations to permit field trials; penalties.
Status: repealed

(A) Subject to the provisions in this section, the department shall promulgate regulations to permit and regulate field trials during the year including the closed season. (B) A person violating the provisions of this section or regulations promulgated pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each offense. (C) A participant in any field trial permitted by the department is not required to obtain a hunting license or a wildlife management area permit if the participant is not carrying a weapon typically used for hunting and no game is taken. (D) There shall be no field trials conducted on wildlife management areas outside of the regular season, except as permitted by the department. Editor's Note 2010 Act No. 174, SECTION 2, provides: "Any regulations in conflict with the provisions of this act are repealed." Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-150 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 4 / Section 50-25-150
SECTION 50-25-150. Operation of certain motorboats on Louther's Lake prohibited; signs posted; penalties.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for anyone to operate a motorboat on Louther's Lake near the Town of Mechanicsville in Darlington County when the boat has onboard a motor which has a manufacturer's advertised horsepower greater than ten. It shall be the responsibility of the department to post and maintain at each major landing on Louther's Lake a three foot by four foot sign, visible to users of the landings, on which the foregoing prohibition shall be plainly lettered. Anyone operating a boat in violation of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-2-50 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 2 / Section 50-2-50
SECTION 50-2-50. Forestry operation as nuisance; established date of operation; local ordinance making forestry operation nuisance null and void.
Status: in_force

(A) No established forestry operation is or may become a nuisance, private or public, if the forestry operation adheres to best management practices as promulgated by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. This section does not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent, improper, or illegal operation of a forestry operation. (B) For the purposes of this chapter, the established date of operation is the date on which the forestry operation commenced operation. If the operation is expanded subsequently or new technology adopted, the established date of operation for each change is not a separately and independently established date of operation and the commencement of the expanded operation does not divest the forestry operation of a previously established date of operation. (C) An ordinance of a county or municipality that makes a forestry operation following best management practices as promulgated by the South Carolina Forestry Commission a nuisance or providing for abatement as a nuisance in derogation of this chapter is null and void. The provisions of this section do not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent, illegal, or improper operation of a forestry operation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1200
SECTION 50-11-1200. Operating licenses for privately owned shooting preserves.
Status: in_force

The department may grant operating licenses for shooting preserves which are privately owned and operated under the terms and provisions as provided in this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1150 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1150
SECTION 50-11-1150. Authority of department to trap predatory animals.
Status: in_force

When directed by the department, its employees may trap, by the use of steel or other traps, fox, wildcat, bobcat, wolf, coyote, skunk, raccoons, and any other predatory animals on any lands owned by the State or any of its boards, commissions, officers, institutions, or agencies and on cooperative wildlife management areas within the United States Forest Service lands.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2490 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2490
SECTION 50-11-2490. Fur buyers and processors to keep daily register; register sheets to be submitted to department monthly; furs, pelts, or hides not properly tagged declared contraband.
Status: in_force

All fur buyers and processors, other than retailers, shall keep a daily register on forms provided by the department showing the name and address of each person from whom any furs are purchased, the number of the seller's commercial fur license, and the number and types of furs, pelts, or hides purchased. Not later than the tenth day of each month, all buyers and processors shall furnish the department all of the daily register sheets for the previous month. Any fur, pelt, or hide not properly tagged or logged as provided in this chapter when examined by the department is declared contraband and must be confiscated by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-380 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 50-3-380
SECTION 50-3-380. Search for and seizure of game and fish possessed unlawfully.
Status: in_force

A duly commissioned enforcement officer, upon making an affidavit before a magistrate or in any court of the State that there exist reasonable grounds to believe that birds, fish or game are in the possession of any person or any common carrier in violation of the law, may procure a search warrant and open and enter and examine all cars, warehouses and receptacles of common carriers in the State where he has reason to believe any game or fish taken or held in violation of law is and, when any such game or fish are found, may seize them.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1740 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1740
SECTION 50-11-1740. Limits on number of game birds or animals that may be shipped to private address in State.
Status: in_force

It is lawful for a person to ship during any one week not over the bag limit for two days, as provided by law, of any domestic game birds or animals to any private address in this State when he has conformed to the regulations prescribed by the department under Section 50-11-1750.