Georgetown County surf fishing ban attempt fails

The bill has been tabled until further notice

Georgetown County (SC) Council attempted to pass a surf fishing law that would have banned the practice from all county beaches between May 1 and Sept. 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The daytime ban was one vote away from passing, but due to much blowback from constituents, the county decided to table the measure.

During the second reading of the vote, which passed unanimously among the seven council members, another reading and vote was to take place on July 22 with a clarification on what the ban would mean for Pawleys Island Pier, a private pier that would have been negatively impacted due to the wording in the original bill.

After receiving a great deal of negative pressure from anglers and other constituents, the council backtracked, and stated they never intended to ban daytime surf fishing during the dates the bill stated. Instead, they said their intention was simply to halt the practice of shark fishing from the beach to make the water safer for swimmers.

Is that true?

That’s difficult to believe, based on the language of the bill, which stated it “shall be unlawful to:

bait or surf fish on the public beaches and public beach waters, whether from shore, pier, or boat, or other means, between May 1 and Sept. 30 of each year, except during the hours between 7 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Bait or fish in any manner that creates an unsafe condition or hazard to bathers, swimmers, surfers and others in the water along public beaches, at any time between May 1 through Sept. 30 of each year.

Engage in commercial fishing or fishing for shark or other dangerous sea species, on the public beaches and public beach waters.

Leave on public beaches or public beach waters, any hooks, bait or tackle at the conclusion of fishing.”

What’s next?

Ten days before the July 22 meeting, the council stated that a ban on surf fishing was nothing more than a rumor, said they are not attempting to ban surf fishing, and issued the following statement:

“In response to community feedback and further consideration, Georgetown County Council has indicated that it will defer the surf fishing ordinance (Ordinance No. 25-22) pending further study and evaluation.”