June 8, 2009

New striped bass regulations in effect

Season restrictions, signed into law last year, for the entire Santee Cooper system (lakes and rivers) for striped bass went into effect June 1. Anglers must not harvest or possess striped bass and must immediately release any stripers caught from June 1 – September 30.

a striped bass getting hookedThis is considered a first step to combat the population decline of the striped bass fishery in the Santee Cooper system by reducing the amount of fish an angler can harvest, as well as increasing the minimum size limits.

The regulations also include (when applicable):

  1. Reduction in creel limits from five to three
  2. Points system: increase to 14 points for violation
  3. Increase in minimum size limit from 21 inches to 26 inches
  4. Striped bass must be landed with head & tail intact so enforcement officers can measure the complete fish

Because striped bass can live in fresh water for long periods of time, they are stocked in many inland reservoirs. However, only two East Coast reservoirs have self-sustaining populations: the Kerr Reservoir in Virginia and North Carolina, and the Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina.

It is SCDNR’s and our job as sustainable anglers to insure that this hardy species keeps flourishing in our waters, and the only way to do that is to occasionally cut-back on fishing limits as the Striped Bass Stakeholders Group recommended to Gov. Sanford last year.

Thunderstar with a boat load of fishermen

May 27, 2009

The Economic Impact of SC’s Natural Resources

a tree with leaves of moneyI just caught wind of this afternoon’s release of The 2009 study, “Underappreciated Assets: The Economic Impact of South Carolina’s Natural Resources” by USC, Moore School of Business professor Dr. Doug Woodward.

Interviews, photos, video: Dr. Doug Woodward, professor and researcher, University of South Carolina Moore School of Business; Natural Resources Society Board Members; South Carolina Natural Resources Director John Frampton and others. Digital images and video of South Carolinians using and enjoying the state’s natural resources will be available for attending media.

Who: University of South Carolina Moore School of Business, South Carolina Natural Resources Society and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
What: Release of The 2009 study, “Underappreciated Assets: The Economic Impact of South Carolina’s Natural Resources” by University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business professor Dr. Doug Woodward.
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2009, Charleston 3:30 p.m
Where: Charleston City Marina 17 Lockwood Drive in Charleston
Why: An extensive study of this scope and magnitude is the first of its kind in South Carolina. This comprehensive report documents the economic impact of activities associated with South Carolina’s natural resources, such as wildlife related outdoor recreation (i.e. hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching), resource based tourism, forestry, mining, boat manufacturing and commercial fishing. Research results reveal an astonishing impact on sustained employment and the state’s economy.

For more information, read SCDNR’s Green Report, which states that S.C. natural resources contribute $30 billion to the economy.



    





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