Seabrook committee backs swimmer zones, asks EWC to draft enforceable shark‑fishing limits

The Seabrook Island committee discussed fishing rules and agreed the town can enact narrowly tailored limits for swimmer safety, even though fisheries management is generally a state matter. Legal guidance shared with the group clarified the town may regulate fishing to protect swimmers and public safety (rather than general resource management).

Raymond and other committee members described concerns about baiting‑style shark fishing and recounted an incident where a large shark washed ashore after baiting activity; the environmental committee proposed a ban on shark fishing within 300 yards of shore to reduce bait‑attraction risk. Members flagged practical enforcement challenges — distinguishing ordinary surf fishing from targeted shark baiting — and recommended EWC work with experienced fishermen to define observable indicators (bait type, tackle, vessel behavior) that beach patrol or code officers could use.

The committee also favored setting small, seasonally enforced swimmer‑only stretches in high‑use locations (for example, near boardwalks and the beach club during the beach‑patrol season) to reduce interactions between swimmers and anglers. Committee members said these zones would be limited in extent and active primarily during the patrol season.

Policy next steps include asking EWC and fishing‑community members to draft enforceable language on shark‑baiting, confirm any state preemption concerns with legal counsel, and incorporate DNR license requirements, limits on poles, and distance‑from‑swimmer rules into the proposed ordinance.