SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE #09 May 15, 2009 DNR News (803) 667-0696
REQUIREMENTS CHANGE FOR SALTWATER RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSE
The recent session of the South Carolina General Assembly made changes to the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License effective July 1, 2009. License fees will not change.
The changes to the South Carolina Saltwater Recreational Fishing License will allow better access to information about recreational catch, which will lead to better management of South Carolina’s valuable marine resources. The changes also ensure that anglers in S.C. will simply need to purchase a single license to fish anywhere in both state and federal saltwaters. Revenue generated from Saltwater Recreational Fishing License sales will be used for the direct benefit of South Carolina’s marine recreational fisheries.
Currently a saltwater recreational fishing license is required for people:
* Harvesting oysters or clams
* Fishing for finfish from a private boat or transporting catch in a private boat.
The new legislation will require a saltwater recreational fishing license for people who also:
* Recreationally fish from shore (beach, bank, private dock, free public pier, etc.)
* Recreationally harvest shrimp and/or crab
You may purchase a license by telephone 24 hours a day 7 days a week by calling toll free 1-866-714-3611 or by going online at: www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html.
There are a few exceptions that will allow people to harvest marine resources without a saltwater recreational fishing license including, fishing off a licensed commercial public fishing pier, fishing off a licensed for-hire vessel (charter and headboats), fishing with 3 or fewer fold-up traps, fishing with 3 or fewer drop nets, fishing with 3 or fewer handlines with a single bait and no hooks (chicken necking) and taking shrimp over bait (still required to have Shrimp Baiting License).
A resident of South Carolina sixty four years
Bout time they get money from other people instead chargeing more. Always thought it was stupid to have to have it BECAUSE I got in a boat. After all, fish fresh and you better have a license no matter where you fish from. Still think they should combine them though and just have one fee.
what people need to understand, if you pay to fish the folly beach pier you don’t need a license because the fee is included in the price. I do know that dnr will make a killing on the beaches and from some of the small docks around charleston. because alot of people don’t know that the rules are changing.
This is a good thing. It will keep SC in line to avoid having to pay for a federal license. The deal is if SC can provide the federal government with accurate information then SC can be exempt from the federal license.
I personally am saddened to lose the RIGHT to fish in the sea without having to show “The Man” some freaking license. Hated it when the SWL came out in the first place. I understand how this is now necessary in SC due to the Federal regs., but it still sucks. I will NEVER understand how anyone could be happy about this.
I think it’s about the same way in NC. I fish the sound and surf at Hatteras and have to have NC salt water license. Since they started though, I don’t know what they done with the revenue. It hasn’t helped me catch anymore fishs.
Think of it like this the next time you go you want see all the illegal imagrants stealing every thing they can catch! on any given day you can go to the shell landing in M.I. and there will be 50 to 100 loading up the vans with small crabs and clams and oysters now they they will have to be legal in all departments! It is sickening to pay all the money we pay and them kill our resources not to mention use our trucks as a clothes line while we are out fishing!!!
Raggedy Azz 17ft Boat With A Blowed Up Motor But Still Wining Money!!!
