2012 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft
Chapter 13 - PROTECTION OF FISH
Section 50-13-620 - Floating markers for certain fishing devices; tags; penalty.

(A) A trotline, trap, eel pot, gill net, and hoop net must be marked with a floating marker not less than a capacity of one quart and not more than a capacity of one gallon and must be made of solid, buoyant material that does not sink if punctured or cracked. A floating marker must be constructed of plastic, PVC spongex, plastic foam, or cork. A hollow buoy or float, including plastic, metal, or glass bottles or jugs, must not be used, except that a manufactured buoy or float specifically designed for use with nongame fishing devices may be hollow if constructed of heavy duty plastic material and approved by the department. A floating marker used the first through the fifteenth inclusive of each month must be colored white only; for the remainder of the month markers must be yellow only and, except for a trotline, there must not be any other color marker attached to the device. The owner's name and department customer identification number must be legible on each of the white or yellow floating markers. Both commercial and recreational fishermen shall comply with provisions of this title pertaining to the marking and use of a nongame fishing device. A trotline must be marked on both ends. A commercial trotline must be marked at intervals of every fifty hooks. A recreational trotline must be marked at intervals of every twenty-five hooks. An end marker must conform to the white and yellow marking scheme. Each interval float must be "International Orange" in color.

(B) A tag issued for a nongame device must be attached to the device at all times. A permit and tag receipt must be kept on the person to whom issued while possessing or using a nongame fishing device.

(C) Each set hook must have an identification tag attached to it bearing the owner's name and department customer identification number.

(D) A device or part of it improperly marked, tagged, or identified is in violation and is contraband.

(E) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is punishable as prescribed in this chapter.

HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 477, Section 2; 1992 Act No. 316, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1263; 1976 Code Section 50-13-1116; 2012 Act No. 114, Section 4, eff July 1, 2012.