If it weren’t for such rough winds right now – gale-force winds in Charleston Harbor and 14-foot swells offshore – every shrimp boat captain alive would be pulling out of Shem Creek, McClellanville, etc. right now, especially with the reduced [sic] fuel prices.
Those that do make it out will be rewarded with a nice catch – assuming everything goes according to plan – because SCDNR officials say shrimp have been keeping their own out in the ocean – the question, “is how many boats are gonna be out there to catch them?”
SCDNR also says that the in-water catch rate of immature loggerheads has been increasing, which at first sounds alarming, but then you realize it means management efforts such as nest protection and the required use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED’s) in commercial shrimp trawl nets may be paying off.
“…in the Charleston shipping channel, catch rates have increased significantly since 1990.” – SCDNR
Although sea turtles were not captured in 75% of the tows, several noteworthy trends were evident for the 25% of tows that did capture sea turtles:
- * Loggerhead sea turtles accounted for 94 percent of all sea turtle species captured.
- * There was a strong north/south gradient in catch rates, with highest catch rates off northern Florida and southern Georgia.
- * A strong north/south gradient in loggerhead size was noted, with the greatest frequency of smaller loggerheads collected off northern Florida and southern Georgia.
- * Significant increases in catch rates were observed between 2000 and 2008 for two sizes of loggerheads, notably the size representing reproductively mature adults and the next smallest size group.
May 17, 2009
Saltwater Recreational Fishing License changes
License fees aren’t changing, but effective July 1, 2009, SCDNR has made several modifications to existing rules for saltwater fishing across South Carolina’s state and federal waters.
Currently a saltwater recreational fishing license is required for people:
- * Harvesting oysters or clams
- * Fishing for fin-fish from a private boat or transporting catch in a private boat.
The new legislation will also require a saltwater recreational fishing license for:
- * Recreationally fishing from shore (beach, bank, private dock, free public pier, etc.)
- * Recreationally harvesting shrimp and/or crab.
We can purchase a license 24/7 via 1-866-714-3611 or www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html.
There are a few exceptions allowing people to harvest marine resources without a saltwater recreational fishing license:
- * fishing off a licensed commercial public fishing pier,
- * fishing off a licensed for-hire vessel (charter and headboats),
- * taking shrimp over bait (still required to have Shrimp Baiting License)
- * fishing with 3 or fewer drop nets,
- * fishing with 3 or fewer fold-up traps, and
- * fishing with 3 or fewer handlines with a single bait and no hooks (chicken necking).
A South Carolina resident 64 years or older may obtain a statewide lifetime hunting & fishing license which includes the privilege of saltwater fishing. A person who has been a South Carolina resident for at least one year, and has been determined to be totally disabled, may obtain a statewide fishing & hunting license which includes the privilege of saltwater fishing.
Revenue generated from Saltwater Recreational Fishing License sales will be used for the direct benefit of South Carolina’s marine recreational fisheries. – SCDNR
The same Saltwater Recreational Fishing License fees remain:
- * 14-day Resident – $5
- * Annual Resident – $10
- * 14-day Non-Resident – $11
- * Annual Non-Resident – $35
