New South Carolina law allows recreational red snapper-grouper species fishing year-round

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Recreational anglers in South Carolina can now fish for all 55 species in the red snapper-grouper complex, year-round, within 3 miles of state waters.

Gov. Henry McMaster just signed into law a bill that gives the state more power over these fisheries.  

Grand Strand captains have told News13 since last year, they think the federal regulations for species like red snapper are over-regulated. 

For years, federal law only allowed one day or a few days of fishing for the species. But lawmakers say this law sets the foundation for bringing the power back to the states.  

“If Congress says South Carolina can have management over a species out to 50 miles, we have a rulebook in place now,” Sen. Stephen Goldfinch said. “We’re ready to go.” 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries sector has worked to regulate the red snapper species to maintain its population. 

Last year, they opened the recreational season for one day, but because of bad weather, many told News13 they couldn’t fish. 

Captains argue that the data NOAA has is not accurate because they see an abundance of red snapper. 

Senate Bill 219, introduced by Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, passed unanimously in the Statehouse and Senate. 

The new law allows for fishing year-round within state waters, which is only three miles. 

Some charter captains worry, even within the three miles, that their federal permits may not legally allow them to catch them. 

“I understand, some charter boats may be concerned about engaging in any kind of catching outside of what their federal permit says, and I can’t give them any legal advice about that,” Goldfinch said. “But for the recreational fishermen, the pure recreational fishermen, this is a reprieve from federal government overreach. And this is the epitome of federalism. This is the state saying we can do it better, and you ought to let us.” 

Goldfinch says DNR will regulate it through its fisheries rulebook. 

He hopes that with the help of delegates like Congressman Russell Fry, they may soon be able to extend state waters beyond just three miles. 

Gettys Brannon, president and CEO of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, says he hopes to echo Florida’s recent initiatives. 

“When you look at the gulf, they’ve gone from having two or three days when it was under the federal fisheries management system, to 126 days,” Brannon said. “I cannot overstate that enough. And those are the sort of days that we need off the coast of South Carolina, we need off the coast of the South Atlantic.” 

Congressman Russell Fry said in a statement to News13, he applauds the governor for signing the bill into law and looks forward to strengthening the red snapper industry in South Carolina.