New law for blue cats

[tim hagan]

Subject: New SC Law Passed For Blue Cats But Not For Flatheads

Below is the track record of the bill that was passed for Blue Cats in South Carolina. Notice that it is only for Blue Cats and not for Flathead Cats. From what I've heard that it will not be enforced until July 1st but this new law went in effect immediately when it was signed by the Governor of South Carolina on March 27, 2007. As far as the NCCATS tournament at Black's Camp in Cross, SC any changes of rules and regulation will be told at the Tournament Registration. All South Carolina rules, regulations and laws will prevail at the NCCATS-Black's Camp Santee-Cooper Catfish Tournament. Because of this new law some rules may possibly be changed for this tournament. If any changes it will be announced at the Tournament Registration.

S*132

S*0132(Rat #0004, Act #0002 of 2007)
General Bill, By Mescher
Similar(H 3315)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-13-390 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO MORE THAN ONE ARKANSAS BLUE CATFISH OVER THIRTY-SIX INCHES MAY BE TAKEN FROM THE WATERS OF LAKES MARION AND MOULTRIE BY ANY ONE PERSON IN ONE DAY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO COMMERCIAL AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN. - ratified title
12/06/06 Senate Prefiled
12/06/06 Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
01/09/07 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-83
01/09/07 Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-83
02/08/07 Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
Forestry SJ-6
02/13/07 Senate Read second time SJ-19
02/13/07 Senate Reconsider vote whereby read second time SJ-19
02/14/07 Senate Amended SJ-19
02/14/07 Senate Read second time SJ-19
02/15/07 Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-21
02/20/07 House Introduced and read first time HJ-3
02/20/07 House Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-3
02/21/07 House Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-3
02/22/07 House Read second time HJ-14
02/22/07 House Unanimous consent for third reading on next
legislative day HJ-15
02/23/07 House Read third time and enrolled HJ-3
03/22/07 Ratified R 4
03/27/07 Signed By Governor
03/29/07 Copies available
03/29/07 Effective date 03/27/07
04/17/07 Act No. 2

[Mickey and Jim]

Do you think the blue cats will obey the new law?

[Timotha7]

Looks like a lot of states are getting in line the same type of slot limits Tennessee put on their catfish

Will take some time before the impact of this is known for sure--looks to me like instead of invoking it on a state wide basis they are putting this into effect on those 2 lakes--perhaps so they can do effective studies on the
impact on the fisheries

Know that slot limits have been very effective in some places for walleyes
for example--but that is more geared to establishing a trophy fishery than
it is to actual population

Will be interesting to follow progress of this
With the popularity of catfishing really jumping up there I think that you
will see more an more regs being passed to protect them

[yellowcat]

what about the flatheads, I guess they will start raping them more now than ever. They seem to like to stick on nails to boards down there. I guess dumb people just get dumber. Flatheads just don't get any respect. Pretty much anybody can luck upon a bluecat.

[gofish]

theres a few places down south where flatheads are actually an "invasive "species....transplanted by fisherman an dummys in fishery management,(in high water fish do go thru dams lol)escaped the resevoirs and have totally decimated native fish populations.glad ta see regulations goin into effect like this.helps maintain a fishery.now ifn we could git stricter regs on commercial netting too itd be even better.

[capt.kirk]

Yellow Cat,excuse me for buttin in,but you said almost anyone can luck
into a Blue??Guess Ole Soupy aint got no luck at all.:evilgrin0039: Kirk