2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft
CHAPTER 5 - MARINE RESOURCES ACT
Section 50-5-2100. Mariculture permits; penalty for failure to acquire.

(A) The department may grant mariculture permits for collection, importation, and holding of saltwater gamefish, or for other fish for which there are size or possession limits, for brood stock and for the propagation, holding, transport, and processing of the fish produced through mariculture as defined in Section 50-5-15. Mariculture permits granted under this section may allow the take of such fish and may specify conditions related to lawful collection areas, equipment, collecting times and periods, catch and size limitations, holding facilities, and catch reporting requirements. The department may permit a mariculture operation to take and possess the fish outside of the size and possession limits provided in this chapter. The department may limit the number of permits granted for taking brood stock.

(B) A person before engaging in any aspect of mariculture of saltwater gamefish or of any other fish for which there are size or possession limits must acquire a mariculture permit from the department.

(C) A person who fails to acquire the proper permits or who violates any other provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must pay restitution to the department in an amount equal to the value of the fish. Each fish taken, imported, or possessed in violation of this section is a separate offense.

HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 11; 2002 Act No. 342, Sections 41, 53.