From 10/18/01</font id=blue>
Governor Visits Charleston For Red Drum Ceremony, Releases Live Oversized Fish
Governor Hodges visited Charleston for a ceremonial signing of House Bill H3599. The governor conducted a press conference at the Marine Resources Division of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address the benefits of the bill, and to thank those who helped make the bill a reality. Two large (40+ pounds) red drum were released on site by Governor Hodges and DNR biologists. Several members of the S.C. General Assembly, the DNR and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of South Carolina were also present. The governor presented the DNR and the CCA with a framed letter of appreciation and signed copies of the bill.
“I am extremely pleased to be here today to participate in what I believe to be an extremely important conservation effort,” said Gov. Jim Hodges. “The citizens of South Carolina should be very appreciative of the efforts of the S.C. General Assembly, the Department of Natural Resources, and all the private fishing clubs and individual recreational fishermen in South Carolina, and especially along the coast. In many ways, the health of red drum reflects the health of our coast, and we have accomplished much here today.”
The bill reduces the possession limit for red drum from five fish per person per day to two fish per person per day, and adjusts the size limit from a minimum of 14 inches and a maximum of 27 inches to a minimum of 15 inches and a maximum of 24 inches. Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), one of the state’s most popular recreational saltwater fish, are found throughout South Carolina coastal waters, and are also known as spottail bass, channel bass and redfish. Studies conducted by the DNR over the past 15 years clearly demonstrate a decline in the number of red drum in South Carolina waters.
"The new regulations will allow the red drum population to recover from increased fishing pressure, and at the same time continue to provide enjoyabl