South Carolina will no longer follow federal management standards in state waters aimed at protecting red snapper populations that are still recovering after years of overfishing off the south Atlantic coast.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed S.B. 219 on May 8 taking full authority over the state’s snapper-grouper fishery — composed of 55 species — within 3 miles of the South Carolina coast. The law specifically references red snapper and black sea bass, both of which are highly sought after by recreational fishermen.
“This law reflects South Carolina’s commitment to common-sense, homegrown solutions” to fishing regulation, McMaster said in a statement issued by sportfishing groups. “Our anglers deserve a system that’s fair, science-driven, and tailored to our state’s unique waters, not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Among other things, fishermen in state waters will be free of federal rules governing the annual red snapper fishing season, which had been reduced to one day in 2024. Nor will they be bound to federal take limits of one fish per day per person. The state law also skirts a proposed NOAA regulation that would close the entire snapper-grouper fishery for two months to reduce accidental take of red snapper.
