Senate adopts amendment to expand state management tools for snapper-grouper fisheries

The Senate adopted a committee amendment to S.219 on Feb. 26 that would give South Carolina additional statutory authority to manage and enforce rules for snapper-grouper fisheries in state waters and prepare for potential extension of state management beyond three nautical miles.

Sponsor remarks: The bill's sponsor explained the bill responds to perceived flaws in federal data collection under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and sought to give the state tools to manage species commonly grouped in the federal "snapper-grouper complex." The sponsor described the fisheries sector as a multibillion-dollar industry in South Carolina and said the amendment establishes a mechanism for state catch limits, creel and length limits, and enforcement if state waters are extended.

Committee amendment details: Where the original bill set a ceiling, the committee amendment provides a floor so that if federal limits change the state could increase its limits with them. The amendment also places enforcement mechanisms so state management could operate if state waters are later extended. The floor/ceiling language is intended to avoid conflicts with federal law.

Vote: The committee amendment was adopted by voice vote; the chair announced the ayes had it and the amendment was adopted.

Context: The sponsor said several coastal states and Gulf states are seeking expanded state management farther offshore; S.219 is designed to ensure South Carolina has statutory mechanisms and enforcement authority in place if and when state management is extended.