Donate your red snapper carcasses for research

SCDNR News Release Snapper
snapper carcass
This angler boated a nice red snapper over the weekend fishing with Capt. Chuck Griffin of Aqua Adventures.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has placed freezers at select docks, marinas, and at bait shops that recreational anglers can use to drop off fish carcasses.

These sites will have catch cards that go along with the fish carcass in a carcass bag. The catch cards are intended to provide data and information about a fisherman’s trip, such as date and length of trip.

State biologists will collect the frozen carcasses. They will measure the length of the carcass and remove the otoliths (ear bones) to determine the fish’s age.

How it Works:

  1. Once back to the dock, filet your fish.
  2. Keep the carcass with the head, tail, and gonads (if possible) intact.
  3. Take the carcass to one of the collection freezer locations.
  4. Place your fish in one of the provided plastic bags.
  5. Fill out the provided catch card.
    • At the time of your catch, please make sure that you note your catch location using Latitude and Longitude (for use on the catch card)
  6. Place the completed catch card in the bag with the fish.
  7. Tie bag closed and place it in the collection freezer.

Freezer Locations:

  • Fish-On Outfitters
    800 Sea Mountain Highway
    North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
  • Harrelson’s Seafood Market
    4368 U.S. 17 Business
    Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
  • Georgetown Landing Marina
    432 Marina Drive
    Georgetown, SC 29440
    Hours of access – 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sewee Outpost
    4853 North Highway 17
    Awendaw, SC 29429
  • Mt. Pleasant Fishing Pier
    71 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd.
    Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
  • SCDNR – Marine Resources Center
    217 Fort Johnson Road
    Charleston, SC 29412
    Hours of access – no restrictions by boat, gate open Mon – Fri 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Beaufort Dock and Supply
    1734 Ribaut Road
    Port Royal, SC 29935
    Hours of access – Mon – Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sat 7:00 am to 4 pm
  • Waddell Mariculture Center
    211 Sawmill Creek Road
    Bluffton, SC 29910
    Hours of access – gate open Mon – Fri 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
  • Skull Creek Boathouse Restaurant
    397 Squire Pope Road
    Hilton Head, SC 29926

 

 

Click here to read about a Lexington, S.C. angler who caught the N.C. state record gray snapper.