Atlantic Sharpnose Shark  H.3572 Shark Catch Limits ** Effective date 06/02/09** Act No. 47

This act reduces the daily personal catch limit on Atlantic sharpnose sharks from two to the Federal daily personal limit of one Atlantic sharpnose shark. This act also repeals the allowance to harvest 1 bonnethead shark. This change will not affect anglers because the bonnethead bag limit will default to the federal law which allows a daily personal catch of one bonnethead, just as South Carolina's current law allows. The passage of this act brings South Carolina into compliance with the recently finalized Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission's (ASMFC) Shark Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This plan mirrors most federal shark fishery management regulations, making them applicable in state waters. As part of the ASMFC, South Carolina is obligated to adopt the requirements of the plan or potentially be found "out of compliance." If the state is found out of compliance, the state's entire shark fishery could be closed by the Secretary of Commerce.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark