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Georgetown County, SC Leaders Propose Fishing Ban on Public Beaches
Georgetown County Leaders are under fire for the proposal of a new rule that would ban fishing on public beaches from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between May 1st to September 30th. On Tuesday, June 24th, the county council voted 5 to 0 on the second reading of the proposed fishing ban ordinance. If this new rule does come to be, it is essentially a summer daytime fishing ban off the beach from Garden City, South Carolina, to Cedars Island, South Carolina. This rule would not only apply to those fishing from the sand, but anyone fishing within 100 yards of the beach. So, be it a kayak, boat, or pier, if you are fishing within 100 yards of the sand, that would be banned for the summer as well.
Verbiage of Current Proposal
In response to the backlash from many local anglers, visiting anglers, and local businesses that rely upon fishing to make their livelihood. Council Chair Clint Elliott attempted to clarify the real purpose of the ordinance with a statement on the Georgetown County Facebook page. Speaking of that, the real target of this new rule is land-based shark fishing guides, claiming that fishing will attract more sharks to the beach.
The post Georgetown County, SC Leaders Propose Fishing Ban on Public Beaches appeared first on OutdoorHub.
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Georgetown County, SC Leaders Propose Fishing Ban on Public Beaches
Georgetown County Leaders are under fire for the proposal of a new rule that would ban fishing on public beaches from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between May 1st to September 30th. On Tuesday, June 24th, the county council voted 5 to 0 on the second reading of the proposed fishing ban ordinance. If this new rule does come to be, it is essentially a summer daytime fishing ban off the beach from Garden City, South Carolina, to Cedars Island, South Carolina. This rule would not only apply to those fishing from the sand, but anyone fishing within 100 yards of the beach. So, be it a kayak, boat, or pier, if you are fishing within 100 yards of the sand, that would be banned for the summer as well.
Verbiage of Current Proposal
In response to the backlash from many local anglers, visiting anglers, and local businesses that rely upon fishing to make their livelihood. Council Chair Clint Elliott attempted to clarify the real purpose of the ordinance with a statement on the Georgetown County Facebook page. Speaking of that, the real target of this new rule is land-based shark fishing guides, claiming that fishing will attract more sharks to the beach.
“Tuesday night at the June 24 regular County Council meeting, Ordinance 25-02 was on the agenda for second reading. This ordinance is in direct response to concerns from visitors and residents of Georgetown County regarding companies who come to our shores to do “Land Based Shark Fishing Tours.” These companies take advantage of the lack of regulation forbidding this type of dangerous activity and actively fish for dangerous animals for sport in areas that also attract people who come to the beach to relax and play in our waters to cool of during the hot South Carolina summers.
The statement goes on to state that the County council never meant to keep people from fishing and that this was all in the name of public safety. But many local anglers and businesses that rely on fishing are still not convinced, stating that sharks have always been in the waters around the beach and that fishing sharks out of the water would help reduce their numbers.“Please know that we at Georgetown County NEVER intended to prohibit our residents and visitors from enjoying legal recreational activities and that our sole purpose was in the interest of public safety.”
For anglers or concerned citizens in Georgetown County, the final reading and vote on this new proposed rule will be on July 22nd.The post Georgetown County, SC Leaders Propose Fishing Ban on Public Beaches appeared first on OutdoorHub.
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